This study describes social and economic aspects of life in Cold Bay, Alaska as these were observed in the early 1980s. Trends analysis indicated that future economic and population growth would likely remain limited in this remote community, particularly in the absence of OCS development. At the time of the study, Cold Bay was home to just under 200 persons, most of whom were reliant on jobs in the maritime transportation sector. The 1983 forecast has proven to be correct over time; the town was home to only 108 persons in 2010, and economic growth continued to be constrained by its remote location and by limited involvement in the region’s commercial fishing industry.