Alaska Travel

Homer

Homer is a town located in Kenai Peninsula Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population was 5,364. Homer is nestled among rolling hills and overlooking Kachemak Bay and the Kenai Mountains, this seaside community has 4,000 residents and another 8,000 beyond the city limits. In addition to the downtown area of Homer, a unique attraction is the Homer Spit, a long, narrow finger of land jutting 4.5 miles into Kachemak Bay.

The Spit is home to our harbor and over 700 charter and commercial boat operators year round, growing to 1,500 in the summer months. Homer offers all the amenities of a small, first class city, including a hospital, medical clinics, pharmacies, police and fire departments, and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter for safety at sea. Local, state and federal government offices operate here, as does the Kenai Peninsula College and a senior citizens center. more...

Area: 10.6 square miles
Population: 3,946 (2000 census)
Elevation: feet
City Type: City
Latitude: 59.643059
Longitude: -151.525900

History of Homer

Archeological digs indicate that early Alutiq people probably camped in the Homer area although their villages were on the far side of Kachemak Bay. Coal was discovered in the area in the 1890s. The Cook Inlet Coal Fields Company built a town, dock, coal mine, and a railroad at Homer. Coal mining in the area continued until World War II. There are an estimated 400 million tons of coal deposits still in the area.

Homer was named for Homer Pennock, a gold mining company promoter, who arrived in 1896 on what is now the Homer Spit and built living quarters for his crew of 50 men. However, gold mining was never profitable in the area. Currently, tourism, sport fishing, commercial fishing and logging are important industries in the Homer area. Homer, Alaska attracts a multitude of artists who produce and sell artwork in many different genres. more...

An overview on Homer's Economy

No. of Housing Units: 1873
No. of Owned Units: 987
No. of Rented Units: 612

Facts for Travellers

Climate of Homer

Homer’s area encompasses 11 sq. miles of land and 16 sq. miles of water. Homer lies in the maritime climate zone. During the winter, temperatures range from 14 to 27; summer temperatures vary from 45 to 65. Average annual precipitation is 24 inches, including 55 inches of snow. Homer’s climate is heavily influenced by its proximity to the ocean. Summer temperatures are typically in the 60’s, but rainy days are common, and a breeze off the water can cool things off into the 40’s and 50’s. more...

Geography of Homer

Homer is located at 59°38'35" North, 151°31'33" West (59.643059, -151.525900)GR1. Homer is on the shore of Kachemak Bay on the southwest side of the Kenai Peninsula. Its most distinguishing feature is the Homer Spit, a narrow 7 km (4.5 mile) long gravel bar that extends into the bay, on which is located the Homer Harbor.

Much of the coastline as well as the Homer Spit sank dramatically during the Good Friday Earthquake in March of 1964. After the earthquake, very little vegetation was able to survive on the Homer Spit. more...

Also Read: Demographics of Homer | Transportation in Homer | Economy of Homer

Cities in Alaska
Anchorage
Fairbanks
Juneau
Wasilla
Palmer
Sitka
Kenai
Ketchikan
Homer
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