Allakaket, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Allakaket (Aalaa Kkaakk’et in Koyukon
) is a 2nd Class City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska
. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.
Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River
, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River
, approximately 190 miles (305.8 km) northwest of Fairbanks
and 57 miles (91.7 km) upriver from Hughes
. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F (21.1 °C). The average low temperature during January is well below zero and extended periods of -40 °F are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34.4 °C) and the lowest was -75 °F. Average precipitation
is 13 inches (330.2 mm) and annual snowfall is 72 inches (1,828.8 mm). The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (17.05%) is water.
s and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos.
The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming. Inundated 85% of the community in the Spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents rebuilt near the old City site, but some new homes and facilities are now located outside of the incorporated City boundaries. New Allakaket and Alatna are located outside of the City limits.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community—the Allakaket Village. The population of the community consists of 95.9% Alaska Native or part Native. Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Traditional potlatches, dances and foot races attract visitors from area villages. Subsistence activities provide the majority of food sources. Sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
, and 95.88% Native American
.
There were 41 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.7% were non-families. 53.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 23.7% under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 142.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 155.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $16,563, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $13,750 versus $35,417 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,912. There were 11.8% of families and 12.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Allakaket has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important in summer, but there is no commercial barge access due to shallow water. The state-owned Allakaket Airport
has a 4000 by gravel runway and is accessible year-round. A $6 million airport improvement began construction in 1997. Arctic Circle Air Service
, Frontier Flying Service
, Servant Air
, Warbelow's Air Ventures
, and Wright Air Service
offer passenger flight service.
Koyukon language
Koyukon is an Athabaskan language spoken along the Koyukuk and middle Yukon River in western interior Alaska. It has about 300 speakers - generally older adults bilingual in English - from an ethnic population of 2,300....
) is a 2nd Class City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is a census area located in the state of Alaska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,588. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat...
of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state 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 97 at the 2000 census.
Geography and climate
Allakaket is located at 66°33′48"N 152°38′50"W (66.562610, -152.64756) (Sec. 14, T020N, R024W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Allakaket is located in the Fairbanks Recording District.Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River
Koyukuk River
The Koyukuk River is a principal tributary of the Yukon River, approximately 500 mi long, in northern Alaska in the United States.It drains an area north of the Yukon on the southern side of the Brooks Range...
, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River
Alatna River
The Alatna River is a federally-designated wild and scenic river partially contained within the boundaries of Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. It is called one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States...
, approximately 190 miles (305.8 km) northwest of Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
and 57 miles (91.7 km) upriver from Hughes
Hughes, Alaska
Hughes is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 78 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F (21.1 °C). The average low temperature during January is well below zero and extended periods of -40 °F are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34.4 °C) and the lowest was -75 °F. Average precipitation
Precipitation (meteorology)
In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation In meteorology, precipitation (also known as one of the classes of hydrometeors, which are atmospheric water phenomena is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that falls under gravity. The main forms of precipitation...
is 13 inches (330.2 mm) and annual snowfall is 72 inches (1,828.8 mm). The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.1 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (17.05%) is water.
History and culture
Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon AthabascanAthabaskan languages
Athabaskan or Athabascan is a large group of indigenous peoples of North America, located in two main Southern and Northern groups in western North America, and of their language family...
s and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos.
The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming. Inundated 85% of the community in the Spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents rebuilt near the old City site, but some new homes and facilities are now located outside of the incorporated City boundaries. New Allakaket and Alatna are located outside of the City limits.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community—the Allakaket Village. The population of the community consists of 95.9% Alaska Native or part Native. Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Traditional potlatches, dances and foot races attract visitors from area villages. Subsistence activities provide the majority of food sources. Sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 97 people, 41 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 27.0 people per square mile (10.4/km²). There were 59 housing units at an average density of 16.4 per square mile (6.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 4.12% WhiteRace (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 95.88% 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...
.
There were 41 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.7% were non-families. 53.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 23.7% under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 142.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 155.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $16,563, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $13,750 versus $35,417 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 city was $10,912. There were 11.8% of families and 12.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Public services
Most public facilities were severely damaged in the 1994 Koyukuk River flood. Major components have been replaced—a new washeteria, well and treatment plant, 100000 gallons (378,541.2 l) water storage tank, sewage lagoon, and force main have recently been completed. The lagoon is connected to the washeteria and school. Residents carry treated water and haul honeybuckets or use pit privies; no households have plumbing. Infrastructure improvements to provide a flush/haul system are continuing. A new landfill and access road are also under construction. Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company. There is one school located in the community, attended by 52 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Allakaket Health Clinic (907-968-2248). Allakaket Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Allakaket is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide.Economy and transportation
Most cash jobs are part-time or seasonal. The primary year-round employers are the school, City, Tribe and village corporation store. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting provide summer jobs. A few earn income from trapping or selling traditional Native handicrafts. Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available.Allakaket has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important in summer, but there is no commercial barge access due to shallow water. The state-owned Allakaket Airport
Allakaket Airport
Allakaket Airport , is a state-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles north-northwest of the central business district of Allakaket, a city in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of the U.S...
has a 4000 by gravel runway and is accessible year-round. A $6 million airport improvement began construction in 1997. Arctic Circle Air Service
Arctic Circle Air Service
Arctic Circle Air is an American airline based in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. It operates scheduled commuter services and charter flights to over 16 Alaskan communities. It was established and started operations in 1973. Its main base is Fairbanks International Airport.-Acquisition Merger:In October...
, Frontier Flying Service
Frontier Flying Service
Frontier Flying Service is an American airline headquartered in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. It operates an extensive network of year-round scheduled commuter services and postal services to Alaska bush communities, primarily north of Fairbanks, as well as charter services to the lower 48 and...
, Servant Air
Servant Air
Servant Air, Inc. is an American regional airline based in Alaska, USA. It operates domestic scheduled passenger and charter services. Its base is Kodiak Airport.-History:The airline was established in the spring of 2003 with a single Cessna 207...
, Warbelow's Air Ventures
Warbelow's Air Ventures
Warbelow's Air Ventures is an American regional airline based in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. It operates domestic scheduled passenger, charter, and air ambulance services as well as flight tours. Its base is Fairbanks International Airport...
, and Wright Air Service
Wright Air Service
Wright Air Service is an American airline based in Fairbanks, Alaska, United States. It was established by Al Wright and started operations in 1967. It is based at the Fairbanks International Airport...
offer passenger flight service.