Prince of Wales-Hyder

Formed 1980

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (5,753), Juneau (32,255), Craig (1,036)

Like all Census Areas, it is part of the Unorganized Borough created in 1961 and is governed at the state level therefore the State Capitol is shown.  A wood and steel building houses the courthouse.  The courthouse is located on 3^rd and Main.  Kake and Klawock also have courthouses.  The census area was created in 1980 when the unorganized areas were divided into more manageable territories.  Its name comes from the geographical description of Prince of Wales Island and the town of Hyder.  Craig was named for businessman Craig Millar. 

Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area government is conducted at the state level.  First Judicial District which includes the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (judicial.)  A sheriff serves the Census Area.  The census area is located in the extreme southeast corner of the state on the border with Canada and on the Pacific Ocean.  The center of the census area is 30 miles East-Northeast of Craig nearer Thorne Bay.  The census area is surrounded clockwise by Petersburg and Ketchikan Gateway Boroughs and Canada and the Pacific Ocean.  

The area of the census area is 5,268 square miles.  It is 20 of 30 in size.  It ranks 16 out of 30 in population in the state.  It has a density of 1.07 persons per square mile making it 12 out of 309 in the state.  Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area has 60.8% of its population in its incorporated areas.  The largest two parts of the census area look like lobster claws.  Craig is located in the southern part of the area on Prince of Wales Island.  Craig is the largest city in the census area.  It is 18.0% of the census area population.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in this Census Area.