Petersburg is a community on the north end of Mitkof Island in Southeast Alaska, where Wrangell Narrows meets Frederick Sound. It had 3,043 residents at the 2020 census and is reachable only by air or sea.[1]
| Population (2020) | 3,043 |
|---|---|
| Incorporated as town | 2 Apr 1910 |
| Borough | January 2013 |
| Nickname | Little Norway |
History
Norwegian immigrant Peter Buschmann settled the site and built a cannery, sawmill and docks, and the settlement was named for him. It incorporated as a town on 2 April 1910 and became a borough in January 2013.[1]
Norwegian heritage
Scandinavian immigrants gave the town the nickname Little Norway. Its Norwegian Constitution Day celebration, Mayfest, is held the third weekend of May, and the town is twinned with Hammerfest, Norway.[1]
Fishing
Commercial fishing is the main economic driver. In 2011 about 101 million pounds of seafood, worth roughly $65 million dockside, passed through the port.[1]
FAQs
Where is Petersburg? On Mitkof Island in Southeast Alaska.
Why Little Norway? Norwegian immigrants settled it.
How do you get there? By air or sea.
Sources
Key facts
- 3,043 residents
- Mayfest
- Fishing port
Quick checkFounder?Show answer
Peter Buschmann.
Sources
- Wikipedia. Petersburg, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue