Cordova is a port city near the mouth of the Copper River at the head of Orca Inlet on Prince William Sound. It had 2,609 residents at the 2020 census, was founded after copper was found at Kennecott, and has no road link to the rest of Alaska.[1]
| Population (2020) | 2,609 |
|---|---|
| Incorporated | 8 Jul 1909 |
| Railroad | Copper River and Northwestern, 1911–1938 |
| Access | Air or ferry |
History
Spanish explorer Salvador Fidalgo named the inlet Puerto Cordova in 1790. The townsite was organized on 26 March 1906 and Cordova incorporated on 8 July 1909. It became the terminus of the Copper River and Northwestern Railway, and from 1911 to 1938 more than 200 million tons of copper ore passed through the city.[1]
Economy
Commercial fishing is the main industry, and about half of households have someone involved in fishing or processing. Salmon is the most important fishery.[1]
Access
No road connects Cordova to other Alaskan communities except Eyak. The state ferry serves Valdez and Whittier, and the railway is no longer in use, largely because of damage from the 1964 earthquake.[1]
FAQs
Why was Cordova founded? As a port for Kennecott copper.
Can you drive there? No road links it to the Alaska road system.
What is its main industry? Commercial fishing.
Sources
Key facts
- Incorporated 1909
- Copper railroad
- No road access
Quick checkPopulation?Show answer
2,609 (2020).
Sources
- Wikipedia. Cordova, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue