Nunapitchuk, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Nunapitchuk is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 466.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²), of which, 7.9 square miles (20.5 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (8.07%) is water.
, 95.49% Native American
, 0.43% Asian
, 0.21% from other races
, and 0.43% from two or more races.
There were 105 households out of which 67.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.4% were non-families. 10.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.44 and the average family size was 4.88.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 41.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,286, and the median income for a family was $30,313. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $36,250 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $8,364. About 14.6% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
, and as such sits on swampy tundra
. There are no roads to or within Nunapitchuk; buildings are connected by a network of boardwalk
s. The village is accessible by small aircraft, boats, and hovercraft
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/111703/loc_20031117025.shtml, as weather permits.
The village's grocery and fuel needs are served by a single general store
, owned and operated by the local Alaska Native Corporation, Nunapitchuk, Limited. Many locals also practice subsistence fishing and hunting http://www.alaskaoceans.net/facts/subsistence.htm.
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...
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 466.
Geography
Nunapitchuk is located at 60°53′47"N 162°27′16"W (60.896352, -162.454383).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 8.6 square miles (22.3 km²), of which, 7.9 square miles (20.5 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (8.07%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 466 people, 105 households, and 91 families residing in the city. The population density was 59.3 people per square mile (22.9/km²). There were 120 housing units at an average density of 15.3 per square mile (5.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 3.43% 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...
, 95.49% 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...
, 0.43% Asian
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...
, 0.21% from other races
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 0.43% from two or more races.
There were 105 households out of which 67.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.6% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 12.4% were non-families. 10.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.44 and the average family size was 4.88.
In the city the age distribution of the population shows 41.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females there were 109.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,286, and the median income for a family was $30,313. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $36,250 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 $8,364. About 14.6% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Life in Nunapitchuk
Nunapitchuk is part of the Yukon-Kuskokwim DeltaYukon-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...
, and as such sits on swampy tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
. There are no roads to or within Nunapitchuk; buildings are connected by a network of boardwalk
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
s. The village is accessible by small aircraft, boats, and hovercraft
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a craft capable of traveling over surfaces while supported by a cushion of slow moving, high-pressure air which is ejected against the surface below and contained within a "skirt." Although supported by air, a hovercraft is not considered an aircraft.Hovercraft are used throughout...
http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/111703/loc_20031117025.shtml, as weather permits.
The village's grocery and fuel needs are served by a single general store
General store
A general store, general merchandise store, or village shop is a rural or small town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise, sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general...
, owned and operated by the local Alaska Native Corporation, Nunapitchuk, Limited. Many locals also practice subsistence fishing and hunting http://www.alaskaoceans.net/facts/subsistence.htm.
External links
- Nunapitchuk Public School (photos and first-hand discussion of the village.)