Wrangell is primarily a non-Native community with a mixture of Tlingit, Russian, British, and American historical influences. Logging and fishing support the community. During the April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 1,054 total housing units, and 112 of these were vacant. 1,189 jobs were estimated to be in the community. Two dammed reservoirs south of town supply water, which is treated and piped to most households.
Sewage receives secondary treatment at the Shoemaker Bay plant.
The City has requested funds to extend piped water and sewer to Zimovia Highway to eliminate individual systems. The City provides garbage collection service, a recycling facility, and annual hazardous waste disposal events. An incinerator is scheduled to be completed by 1999. The City also owns 7 standby diesel-fueled generators. Funds have been requested to examine the hydroelectric and drinking water potential of Sunrise Lake, on Woronkofski Island.