Akiachak, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Akiachak (Akiacuaq in Central Yup'ik
) is a census-designated place
(CDP) in the Bethel Census Area
in the U.S. state
of Alaska
. The population was 585 at the 2000 census.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.
Akiachak is located on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River
in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
, 18 miles northeast of Bethel
. The area averages 16 inches (40.64 cm) of precipitation, with snowfall of 50 inches (127 cm). Summer temperatures range from 42 to 62 °F (5.6 to 16.7 C). Winter temperatures range from -2 F.
s as a seasonal subsistence site. Called "Akiakchagamiut" in the 1890 census, the village had a population of 43 at that time. A post office was established in 1934. It incorporated as a second-class city on February 7, 1974. The city government was dissolved in 1987, in favor of traditional village council governance.
A federally-recognized tribe, the Akiachak Native Community, is located in the community. Akiachak is a Yup'ik Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. It has a strong traditional community, and was the first city in Alaska to dissolve its city government in favor of the Native village government. The sale, importation and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
of 2000, there were 585 people, 133 households, and 111 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 86.5 people per square mile (33.4/km2). There were 150 housing units at an average density of 22.2/sq mi (8.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.42% White
, 92.31% Native American
, and 4.27% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 133 households out of which 63.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.40 and the average family size was 4.89.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 44.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 121.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,833, and the median income for a family was $35,288. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $8,321. About 16.2% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 34.8% of those age 65 or over.
and freezer. Subsistence activities provide most food sources. Poor fish returns since 1997 have significantly affected the community.
A State-owned 1,649' long by 40' wide gravel airstrip and public seaplane facilities provide scheduled and chartered services year-round to Akiachak. Relocation of the airport is planned for the future. Arctic Circle Air Service, Grant Aviation and Hageland Aviation offer passenger flight service. Boats, snowmachines and ATVs are used extensively by locals on the Kuskokwim River. A winter trail exists to Bethel (19 mi.) Barges deliver bulk fuel and supplies during the summer.
Yupik language
The Yupik languages are the several distinct languages of the several Yupik peoples of western and southcentral Alaska and northeastern Siberia. The Yupik languages differ enough from one another that speakers of different ones cannot understand each other, although they may understand the general...
) is a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in the Bethel Census Area
Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Bethel Census Area is a census area located in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of 2000, the population is 16,006. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The population was 585 at the 2000 census.
Geography and climate
Akiachak is located at 60°54′34"N 161°25′53"W (60.909440, -161.43139), Sec. 36, T010N, R069W, Seward Meridian) in the Bethel Recording District.According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²), of which, 6.8 square miles (17.6 km²) of it is land and 0.15% is water.
Akiachak is located on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River
Kuskokwim River
The Kuskokwim River or Kusko River is a river, long, in Southwest Alaska in the United States. It is the ninth largest river in the United States by average discharge volume at its mouth and seventeenth largest by basin drainage area.The river provides the principal drainage for an area of the...
in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
The Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta is one of the largest river deltas in the world, roughly the size of Oregon. It is located where the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers empty into the Bering Sea on the west coast of the U.S. state of Alaska. The delta, which mostly consists of tundra, is protected as part of the...
, 18 miles northeast of Bethel
Bethel, Alaska
Bethel is a city located near the west coast of the U.S. state of Alaska, west of Anchorage. Accessible only by air and river, Bethel is the main port on the Kuskokwim River and is an administrative and transportation hub for the 56 villages in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.Bethel is the largest...
. The area averages 16 inches (40.64 cm) of precipitation, with snowfall of 50 inches (127 cm). Summer temperatures range from 42 to 62 °F (5.6 to 16.7 C). Winter temperatures range from -2 F.
History and culture
The area was used by the Yup'ik EskimoEskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
s as a seasonal subsistence site. Called "Akiakchagamiut" in the 1890 census, the village had a population of 43 at that time. A post office was established in 1934. It incorporated as a second-class city on February 7, 1974. The city government was dissolved in 1987, in favor of traditional village council governance.
A federally-recognized tribe, the Akiachak Native Community, is located in the community. Akiachak is a Yup'ik Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. It has a strong traditional community, and was the first city in Alaska to dissolve its city government in favor of the Native village government. The sale, importation and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 585 people, 133 households, and 111 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 86.5 people per square mile (33.4/km2). There were 150 housing units at an average density of 22.2/sq mi (8.6/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.42% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 92.31% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 4.27% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 133 households out of which 63.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.40 and the average family size was 4.89.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 44.4% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 121.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 118.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $35,833, and the median income for a family was $35,288. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $8,321. About 16.2% of families and 21.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 34.8% of those age 65 or over.
Public services
Construction of a piped water and gravity sewer system is on hold. A new well, water tank, water treatment plant and a road to the new lagoon have been completed. Construction will continue through 2005 to plumb and connect 62 homes on the west side. Currently 12 facilities, the school and teacher's housing are served by a piped system; most residents haul treated water from the washeteria. 25 households have honeybuckets hauled by the village; the others haul their own honeybuckets or use septic tanks. The village would like to purchase an incinerator and use the waste heat for public buildings. Electricity is provided by Akiachak Native Community Electric Co. There is one school located in the community, attended by 183 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Akiachak Health Clinic. Akiachak Health Clinic is a Primary Health facility. Akiachak is classified as an isolated village. It is found in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide.Economy and transportation
The majority of year-round employment in Akiachak is in education and other public services. The Yupiit School District headquarters are located in the community. Residents rely on seasonal employment such as commercial fishing, construction and BLM fire-fighting. 70 residents hold commercial fishing permits, and some work at canneries in Bristol Bay. The community is developing a fish processing facilityFish processing facility
A fish factory, also called a fish plant, fish processing facility, is a facility where fish processing is performed. Fish factories range in the size and range of species of fish they process. Some species of fish, such as mackerel and herring, and can be caught at sea by large pelagic trawlers...
and freezer. Subsistence activities provide most food sources. Poor fish returns since 1997 have significantly affected the community.
A State-owned 1,649' long by 40' wide gravel airstrip and public seaplane facilities provide scheduled and chartered services year-round to Akiachak. Relocation of the airport is planned for the future. Arctic Circle Air Service, Grant Aviation and Hageland Aviation offer passenger flight service. Boats, snowmachines and ATVs are used extensively by locals on the Kuskokwim River. A winter trail exists to Bethel (19 mi.) Barges deliver bulk fuel and supplies during the summer.