The Alaska Department of Fish and Game has an office in Kodiak, and a web site that provides information about the area's hunting and fishing opportunities. Kodiak is home to four public elementary, middle, and high schools, and the University of Alaska, with a branch in town. Prior to the introduction of fiber optic cable, the Pillar Mountain antenna farm was the city's only way of communicating with the outside world. The city is accessible by car, boat, or ferry along the Alaska Marine Highway, or by commercial airlines.
Kodiak City is a home rule municipality with a council-manager government. The city is the hub for commercial transportation on Kodiak Island, which is home to 6 communities. The island's economy is based on commercial fishing, seafood processing, tourism, and sport hunting. The United States Coast Guard has its largest base here, and the city is home to the country's first privately owned rocket launch facility. Kodiak City has four elementary schools, and five other schools are operated by the Kodiak Island Borough School District.
The city was once a struggling fishing town, but World War II turned it into a major staging area for military operations in the North Pacific. By the 1940s, the population reached 25,000 and the population grew. The military presence in Kodiak led to the construction of Fort Abercrombie, the largest Coast Guard base in the country. The city is home to many historical sites, including a thriving otter industry, as well as many parks and trails.