Community Database Online, Road and Ferry Connectivity of Alaska Communities

There is a high level of diversity of connectedness among Alaskan communities. Unlike the contiguous United States, a substantial number of Alaskan communities are not on the road system. When examining demographic, economic, or other sociocultural trends in Alaskan communities, knowing whether the community is on the road or ferry system is an important factor to consider. This dataset indicates whether communities in Alaska are accessible by the Alaska Marine Highway (ferry) and if they are connected by part of a major road system during the year 2016. Road connection was established by determining whether a community was part of a major road system, allowing surface transportation to other communities, the Canadian road system, and the roads in the lower 48. The data was collected by the Division of Community and Regional Affairs Research and Analysis division within the State of Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Data were extracted in June, 2018, from the Community Database Online community report (https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/dcra/DCRAExternal/Query?reportType=communityReport).