Elim, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Elim is a city in Nome Census Area, Alaska
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 313.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
, Picea mariana.
, 92.65% Native American
, and 2.24% from two or more races.
There were 84 households out of which 60.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 14.3% 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 3.73 and the average family size was 4.16.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 41.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 131.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,179, and the median income for a family was $40,893. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $10,300. About 8.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
is a state-owned airport with scheduled passenger flights. Also located in Elim is the Moses Point Airport
, which is privately owned by the Elim Native Corporation
.
. Aniguiin School serves grades Pre-K through 12.
The Boulder Creek mine site is located on part of the Tubutulik River
. Serious water and air pollution risks, including radioactive byproducts, have been identified with "in-situ leeching", the type of uranium mining proposed for the site. Villagers have raised concerns that radioactive by-products of uranium mining would adversely affect the plants, fish, and wildlife on which they rely. In September 2007, Irene Murray of Aniguiin High School in Elim wrote an open letter to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin
, drawing attention to projected impacts on the local environment and human health. Protests led by Elim Students Against Uranium (ESAU) have included demonstrations in 2008 and 2009 at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start, and on the Iditarod trail in Elim.
The village has raised legal concerns over the project that include an alleged failure by the federal Bureau of Land Management
to provide adequate public notice and public comment periods regarding the Boulder Creek mine project. Portions of the regulatory process are under the purview of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
.
Nome Census Area, Alaska
Nome Census Area is a census area located in the state of Alaska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 9,196. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat. Its largest community by far is the city of Nome....
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 313.
Geography
Elim is located at 64°37′4"N 162°15′24"W (64.617734, -162.256705).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 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
Natural history
A number of flora and fauna are found in the Elim area. This is the westernmost location for the range of Black SpruceBlack Spruce
Picea mariana is a species of spruce native to northern North America, from Newfoundland west to Alaska, and south to northern New York, Minnesota and central British Columbia...
, Picea mariana.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 313 people, 84 households, and 69 families residing in the city. The population density was 128.9 people per square mile (49.7/km²). There were 106 housing units at an average density of 43.7 per square mile (16.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 5.11% 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...
, 92.65% 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 2.24% from two or more races.
There were 84 households out of which 60.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 14.3% 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 3.73 and the average family size was 4.16.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 41.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 131.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,179, and the median income for a family was $40,893. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $21,250 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 $10,300. About 8.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Airports
The Elim AirportElim Airport
Elim Airport is a state-owned, public-use airport located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Elim, a city in the Nome Census Area of the U.S...
is a state-owned airport with scheduled passenger flights. Also located in Elim is the Moses Point Airport
Moses Point Airport
Moses Point Airport is an airport located in Elim, a city in the Nome Census Area of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is privately owned by the Elim Native Corporation.Although many U.S...
, which is privately owned by the Elim Native Corporation
Alaska Native Regional Corporations
The Alaska Native Regional Corporations were established in 1971 when the United States Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act which settled land and financial claims made by the Alaska Natives and provided for the establishment of 13 regional corporations to administer those...
.
Education
Elim is served by the Bering Strait School DistrictBering Strait School District
Bering Strait School District is a school district in northwestern Alaska, United States, serving approximately 1,700 students in grades K-12 in fifteen isolated villages...
. Aniguiin School serves grades Pre-K through 12.
Boulder Creek uranium mine controversy
In 2005, mining company Full Metal Minerals announced a partnership with Triex Minerals Corporation to develop a uranium deposit north of Elim. Development of the site began with survey and exploration work in Sept 2005. Initial drilling exploration was completed in July 2006, confirming deposits of "sandstone-hosted uranium" at the Boulder Creek site in Death Valley, north of Elim.The Boulder Creek mine site is located on part of the Tubutulik River
Tubutulik River
The Tubutulik River is a 25 mi. long river in the Seward Peninsula in Alaska. It flows southeastwards to the Kwiniuk Inlet at the northwestern end of Norton Bay, 25 mi. SW of Koyuk in the Bering Sea....
. Serious water and air pollution risks, including radioactive byproducts, have been identified with "in-situ leeching", the type of uranium mining proposed for the site. Villagers have raised concerns that radioactive by-products of uranium mining would adversely affect the plants, fish, and wildlife on which they rely. In September 2007, Irene Murray of Aniguiin High School in Elim wrote an open letter to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin
Sarah Louise Palin is an American politician, commentator and author. As the Republican Party nominee for Vice President in the 2008 presidential election, she was the first Alaskan on the national ticket of a major party and first Republican woman nominated for the vice-presidency.She was...
, drawing attention to projected impacts on the local environment and human health. Protests led by Elim Students Against Uranium (ESAU) have included demonstrations in 2008 and 2009 at the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race ceremonial start, and on the Iditarod trail in Elim.
The village has raised legal concerns over the project that include an alleged failure by the federal Bureau of Land Management
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management is an agency within the United States Department of the Interior which administers America's public lands, totaling approximately , or one-eighth of the landmass of the country. The BLM also manages of subsurface mineral estate underlying federal, state and private...
to provide adequate public notice and public comment periods regarding the Boulder Creek mine project. Portions of the regulatory process are under the purview of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is an independent agency of the United States government that was established by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 from the United States Atomic Energy Commission, and was first opened January 19, 1975...
.