ZIP Code 99566 in Chitina, AK

Community Overview

Chitina is a small community in Alaska's Copper River region, serving as the gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and the historic McCarthy Road. With just 259 residents spread across 9,943 square miles, this is one of Alaska's largest ZIP codes by area and among its most sparsely populated. The post office serves not just Chitina itself, but a vast territory reaching into Alaska's interior wilderness.

A PO Box Only Delivery Zone

This is a PO Box Only Delivery Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the entire 9,943 square mile territory. The Chitina post office maintains 78 PO Boxes for 134 occupied households, giving an adoption rate of 58%. Rural delivery routes serve a handful of locations along Edgerton Highway and McCarthy Road, but most residents rely on PO Boxes as their only mail option.

Seasonal and Historic Character

Of the 313 total housing units, 179 are vacant. About a third of these (102 units) are seasonal properties used for recreational or occasional visits. This seasonal pattern reflects Chitina's role as a staging point for wilderness access. Summer brings tourists heading to McCarthy and Kennecott, while the permanent population remains small year-round.

The community has a median age of 41.9 years and includes 43 Native American residents (17% of the population). Housing stock is notably old: 235 of the area's units were built before 1939, preserving the historic character of this former copper mining supply town. With a median household income of $28,750 and median rent of $810, Chitina retains a modest, rural Alaska character.

Economic Base

The few businesses here (10 establishments employing 27 people) support the local population and passing travelers. Federal government employment accounts for 9 workers in the area, likely National Park Service staff. About 12% of workers work from home, enabled by the isolation and scenic surroundings.

Mailing Information

Mail to Chitina requires a PO Box address:

Recipient Name
PO Box [number]
Chitina, AK 99566

Limited rural delivery is available for specific locations along the road network, but PO Boxes are the standard and often only option for mail delivery in this remote Alaska territory.

Street Name Patterns

Street names reference the two main access routes: Edgerton Highway connecting to the highway system and McCarthy Road leading into Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness.