Akiak, Alaska

Last updated

Akiak
Akiaq
City
AKI-b.jpg
Aerial view of Akiak, 1996
USA Alaska location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Akiak
Location in Alaska
Coordinates: 60°54′36″N161°13′6″W / 60.91000°N 161.21833°W / 60.91000; -161.21833
CountryUnited States
State Alaska
Census Area Bethel
Incorporated July 9, 1970 [1]
Government
 •  Mayor David Gilila, Sr. [2]
 •  State senator Lyman Hoffman (D) [3]
 •  State rep. Conrad McCormick (D)
Area
[4]
 • Total3.00 sq mi (7.77 km2)
 • Land1.89 sq mi (4.89 km2)
 • Water1.11 sq mi (2.88 km2)
Elevation
13 ft (4 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total462
 • Density244.70/sq mi (94.48/km2)
Time zone UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code
99552
Area code 907
FIPS code 02-00870
GNIS feature ID 1398012
Website akiaknativecommunity.org

Akiak(ACK-ee-ack) (Central Yupik : Akiaq) is a city in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 462 at the 2020 census, [5] up from 346 in 2010. It is the home of the Akiak Native Community.

Contents

Geography and climate

Akiak is located at 60°54′36″N161°13′6″W / 60.91000°N 161.21833°W / 60.91000; -161.21833 (60.912220, -161.21389) [6] (Sec. 32, T010N, R067W, Seward Meridian), on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River, 42 miles (68 km) northeast of Bethel, on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta. Akiak is located in the Bethel Recording District.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2), of which 2.1 square miles (5.4 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2), or 32.58%, is water. Precipitation averages 16 inches (410 mm) in this area, with snowfall of 50 inches (1,300 mm). Summer temperatures range from 42 °F (6 °C) to 62 °F (17 °C). Winter temperatures range from −2 °F (−19 °C) to 19 °F (−7 °C).

History and culture

In 1880, the village, then known as Akkiagamute, had a population of 175. The current name Akiak means "the other side," since this place was a crossing to the Yukon River basin during the winter for area Yupiit. The community established a post office in 1916. The U.S. Public Health Service built a hospital in the 1920s. The city was incorporated in 1970. Akiak is a Yup'ik village with a reliance on subsistence and fishing activities.

Akiak Native Community

The Akiak Native Community is a federally recognized Alaska Native tribe located in Akiak.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880 175—
1890 97−44.6%
1920 150—
1930 22852.0%
1940 209−8.3%
1950 168−19.6%
1960 18711.3%
1970 171−8.6%
1980 19815.8%
1990 28543.9%
2000 3098.4%
2010 34612.0%
2020 46233.5%
2022 (est.)451 [7] −2.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [8]

Akiak first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as the unincorporated Alaska Native (Inuit) village of "Akkiagamute." All 175 residents were Inuit. [9] In 1890, it returned as "Akiagamiut" with 97 residents (all Alaska Native). [10] It did not appear on the census again until 1920, then as Akiak. [11] It has returned in every successive census. It formally incorporated in 1970.

As of the census [12] of 2000, there were 309 people, 69 households, and 54 families residing in the city. The population density was 157.2 inhabitants per square mile (60.7/km2). There were 76 housing units at an average density of 38.7 per square mile (14.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 4.85% White, 92.88% Native American, and 2.27% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of Akiak's 69 households, 53.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.5% were married couples living together, 20.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.48 and the average family size was 5.24.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 43.4% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 14.6% from 45 to 64, and 6.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females, there were 122.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $36,875. Males had a median income of $21,875 versus $11,667 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,326. About 25.0% of families and 33.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 6.7% of those 65 or over.

Public services

A new well-water treatment plant and storage tank were recently completed. The school and clinic are connected directly to the water plant. Individual wells, septic systems and plumbing were installed in 14 HUD homes during 1997. Sewage disposal is currently by septic tanks, honey buckets or privies, but major improvements are underway. A piped water and gravity sewer system is under construction, with household plumbing. 67 homes need water and sewer service. Most residents are dependent upon the washeteria for laundry and bathing. The city provides septic pumping services. Electricity is provided by the city of Akiak. There is one school located in the community, attended by 99 students.

The city is currently home to the world's third largest museum of taxidermy. Local hospitals or health clinics include Edith Kawagley Memorial Clinic (907-765-7125). Edith Kawagley Memorial Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Akiak 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 and are provided by a health aide.

Economy and transportation

The majority of the year-round employment in Akiak is with the city, schools or other public services. Commercial fishing or BLM fire-fighting also provide seasonal income. Twenty-seven residents hold commercial fishing permits. The community is interested in developing a fish processing plant and tourism. Subsistence activities are important to residents. Poor fish returns since 1997 have significantly affected the community.

The airport has a gravel runway in good condition, measuring 3,196 feet (974 m) long by 75 feet (23 m) wide, at an elevation of 30 feet (9.1 m). The strip provides chartered or private air access year-round. Arctic Circle Air Service, Grant Aviation, and Hageland Aviation offer passenger flight service. Snow machines, ATVs, and skiffs are used extensively for local transportation to nearby villages. There are no docking facilities.

The town has no sales tax, property tax, or special taxes. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.

Notable people

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References

  1. ↑ "Directory of Borough and City Officials 1974". Alaska Local Government. XIII (2). Juneau: Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs: 12. January 1974.
  2. ↑ 2023 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory (PDF). Juneau: Alaska Municipal League. January 2023. p. 36. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Senator Lyman Hoffman". Alaska Senate Majority. Alaskasenate.org. Archived from the original on April 8, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Akiak city, Alaska". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Alaska: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". Census.gov. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Areas, Dwellings, and Families." US Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ Porter, Robert B. (1893). "Population and Resources of Alaska at the Eleventh Census: 1890" (PDF). US Bureau of the Census Library. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office.
  11. ↑ "Population of counties by minor civil divisions: 1920, 1910 and 1900" (PDF). census.gov. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.

60°54′44″N161°12′50″W / 60.912220°N 161.21389°W / 60.912220; -161.21389

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