Haines Borough
Borough
Lighthouse on Eldred Rock island.
Location within the U.S. state of Alaska
Alaska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 59°10′N 135°26′W / 59.16°N 135.44°W / 59.16; -135.44
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Founded	August 29, 1968[1]
Named for	Haines
Area
• Total	2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2)
• Land	2,319 sq mi (6,010 km2)
• Water	407 sq mi (1,050 km2)  14.9%
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,056
• Density	0.75/sq mi (0.29/km2)
Time zone	UTC−9 (Alaska)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−8 (ADT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.hainesborough.us

Haines Borough is a home-rule borough located in the state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,080,^[2] down from 2,508 in 2010.^[3]

Geography

The borough has a total area of 2,726 square miles (7,060 km²), of which 2,319 square miles (6,010 km²) is land and 407 square miles (1,050 km²) (14.9%) is water.^[4]

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

• Municipality of Skagway Borough, Alaska – northeast
• Juneau City and Borough, Alaska – southeast
• Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska – south, west
• Stikine Region, British Columbia – northwest, east

National protected area

• Tongass National Forest (part)
  • Endicott River Wilderness

Demographics

At the 2000 census there were 2,392 people, 991 households, and 654 families living in the borough. The population density was 0.88 people per square mile (0.34 people/km²). There were 1,419 housing units at an average density of 0.52 per square mile (0.20/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 82.53% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 11.50% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 4.64% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[8] Of the 991 households 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.00% were married couples living together, 7.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.00% were non-families. 27.10% of households were one person and 7.20% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

The age distribution was 25.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 30.40% from 45 to 64, and 10.50% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.10 males.

Transportation

Haines is one of the northern stops on the Alaska Marine Highway. Many people who travel in winter travel to Haines by ferry to avoid travelling the "Alcan", or Alaska Highway. Haines is also accessible by air service from neighboring Juneau, Alaska.

Items of interest

Around November of each year, thousands of eagles descend en masse to feast on one of the salmon runs. Many photographers come to attain easily accessible photos of eagles.

Communities

The borough's 2002 consolidation eliminated its sole remaining incorporated city, Haines, which became a census-designated place (CDP). The following are the CDPs located within the borough:

• Covenant Life
• Excursion Inlet
• Haines
• Lutak
• Mosquito Lake
• Mud Bay

Politics

In four presidential elections since 1960 has the Democratic candidate carried Haines Borough: in 1964, 1992, 2016, and in 2020. Joe Biden in 2020 carried the borough by the largest margin since 1964.