Tetlin, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Tetlin is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 117.
Tetlin is located along the Tetlin River, between Tetlin Lake and the Tanana River
, about 20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Tok
. It lies in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. The village is connected by a dirt road to the Alaska Highway
. The community is located in the Fairbanks Recording District.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 72 square miles (186.5 km²), of which, 70.4 square miles (182.3 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (2.14%) is water.
Tetlin also supports a variety of large mammals. Dall Sheep dot the higher slopes while moose feed upon the tender new growth that springs up in the wake of frequent lightning-caused fires. Wolves, grizzly, black bears and many members of three different caribou herds range over the refuge.
Two of the six known humpback whitefish sprawling areas of the Yukon River
drainage are located within the refuge. Along with caribou and moose, these fish are important subsistence resources for area residents. Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike and burbot are also found in the refuge's many streams and lakes.
, 94.87% Native American
, and 2.56% from two or more races.
There were 42 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 19.0% were married couples living together, 23.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 27.4% under the age of 18, 15.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 178.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 203.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $12,250, and the median income for a family was $18,750. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $7,372. There were 40.0% of families and 48.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 61.3% of under eighteens and 28.6% of those over 64.
. Tetlin School, a K-12 campus, serves community students.
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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is a census area located in the state of Alaska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population was 6,174. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat...
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 117.
Geography
Tetlin is located at 63°8′16"N 142°31′28"W (63.137840, -142.524451).Tetlin is located along the Tetlin River, between Tetlin Lake and the Tanana River
Tanana River
The Tanana River is a tributary of the Yukon River in the U.S. state of Alaska. According to linguist and anthropologist William Bright, the name is from the Koyukon tene no, tenene, literally "trail river"....
, about 20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Tok
Tok
tok may mean:*Tok, Alaska*Tok Pisin, a language*T.O.K., a Jamaican reggae dancehall band*Theory of Knowledge , an epistemology course taken by International Baccalaureate students...
. It lies in the Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge. The village is connected by a dirt road to the Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway
The Alaska Highway was constructed during World War II for the purpose of connecting the contiguous U.S. to Alaska through Canada. It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon...
. The community is located in the Fairbanks Recording District.
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 CDP has a total area of 72 square miles (186.5 km²), of which, 70.4 square miles (182.3 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it (2.14%) is water.
Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge
Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 to conserve and manage habitat critical to migratory and resident wildlife for benefit of present and future generations. The Refuge's 730000 acres (2,954.2 km²) include snowcapped mountains and glacier-fed rivers, forests and treeless tundra, and an abundance of wetlands. Tetlin Wildlife Refuge produces up to 1000,000 ducklings a year, and it is home to 186 or more species of birds. This upper Tanana Valley has been called the "Tetlin Passage" because it serves as a major migratory route for birds traveling to and from Canada, the Lower 48 and both Central and South America. Many of these birds breed and nest in the refuge. Migrants, including ducks, geese, swans, cranes, raptors and songbirds begin arriving in the valley in early April, and continue into early June.Tetlin also supports a variety of large mammals. Dall Sheep dot the higher slopes while moose feed upon the tender new growth that springs up in the wake of frequent lightning-caused fires. Wolves, grizzly, black bears and many members of three different caribou herds range over the refuge.
Two of the six known humpback whitefish sprawling areas of the Yukon River
Yukon River
The Yukon River is a major watercourse of northwestern North America. The source of the river is located in British Columbia, Canada. The next portion lies in, and gives its name to Yukon Territory. The lower half of the river lies in the U.S. state of Alaska. The river is long and empties into...
drainage are located within the refuge. Along with caribou and moose, these fish are important subsistence resources for area residents. Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike and burbot are also found in the refuge's many streams and lakes.
History
The semi-nomadic Athabascan Indians have historically lived in this area, moving with the seasons between several hunting and fishing camps. In 1885, Lt.H.T. Allen found small groups of people living in Tetlin and Last Tetlin, to the south. The residents of Last Tetlin had made numerous to trading posts on the Yukon River. In 1912, the villagers from Tetlin would trade at the Tanana Crossing Trading Post. During the Chisana gold stampede in 1913, a trading post was established across the river from Tetlin. When two trading posts were opened in the village during the 1920s by John Hajdukovich and W.H. Newton, residents from Last Tetlin relocated to Tetlin. A school was constructed in 1929, and a post office was opened in 1932. The 786000 acres (3,180.8 km²) Tetlin Indian Reserve was established in 1930. An airstrip was constructed in 1946. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act(ANCSA) was passed in 1971, the reserve was revoked. Tetlin opted for surface and subsurface title to the 743000 acres (3,006.8 km²) of land in the former Reserve.Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 117 people, 42 households, and 25 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1.7 people per square mile (0.6/km²). There were 55 housing units at an average density of 0.8/sq mi (0.3/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.56% 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...
, 94.87% 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 2.56% from two or more races.
There were 42 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 19.0% were married couples living together, 23.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.46.
In the CDP the age distribution of the population shows 27.4% under the age of 18, 15.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 178.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 203.6 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $12,250, and the median income for a family was $18,750. Males had a median income of $0 versus $0 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 $7,372. There were 40.0% of families and 48.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including 61.3% of under eighteens and 28.6% of those over 64.
Education
Tetlin is part of the Alaska Gateway School DistrictAlaska Gateway School District
The Alaska Gateway School District is a public school district based in Tok, Alaska .The district covers approximately in the eastern interior of Alaska, extending north from the Alaska Range to the Yukon River and Canadian border...
. Tetlin School, a K-12 campus, serves community students.