Kongiganak, Alaska

Kongiganak Kangirnaq
CDP
Many residents live in the newer "housing" section of town
Kongiganak Location within the state of Alaska
Coordinates: 59°57′14″N162°53′43″W / 59.95389°N 162.89528°W / 59.95389; -162.89528
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Census Area	Bethel
Government
•  State senator	Lyman Hoffman (D)
•  State rep.	Conrad McCormick (D)
Area [1]
• Total	13.38 sq mi (34.65 km2)
• Land	13.27 sq mi (34.36 km2)
• Water	0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)
Population  (2020)[ citation needed ]
• Total	486
• Density	36.63/sq mi (14.14/km2)
Time zone	UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-8 (AKDT)
ZIP code	99545
Area code	907
FIPS code	02-41610

Kongiganak (Central Yupik : Kangirnaq) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Bethel Census Area, Alaska, United States, and primarily sits on the eastern shore of the Kongiganak River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 486 ^[2] , up from 439 in 2010.

Geography

Kongiganak is located at 59°57′14″N162°53′43″W / 59.95389°N 162.89528°W / 59.95389; -162.89528 (59.953896, -162.895199). ^[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.9 km²), of which 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²) are land and 0.2-square-mile (0.52 km²) (9.14%) is water.

History

The older "downtown" section of Kong contains most businesses and public buildings in the town

The original Kongiganak was settled in the 19th century and was located on a small creek just above Kuskokwim Bay. ^{[4] [5] [6]} In 1880, it was called "Kongiganagamute" and had a population of 175 Inuit. ^[7] The site was later abandoned. It is located a few miles east of present-day Kwigillingok and about 9 miles southeast of the current Kongiganak.

The current Kongiganak was permanently settled in the 1960s when former residents of Kwigillingok sought higher ground in search of relief from floods. ^[8]

It is served by Kongiganak Airport.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1970	190		—
1980	239		25.8%
1990	294		23.0%
2000	359		22.1%
2010	439		22.3%
2020	486		10.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [9] [ failed verification ]

The current settlement of Kongiganak first appeared on the 1970 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. In 1980, it was reclassified as a census-designated place (CDP).

As of the census ^[10] of 2000, there were 359 people, 79 households, and 60 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 212.5 inhabitants per square mile (82.0/km²). There were 90 housing units at an average density of 53.3 per square mile (20.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.79% White, 95.82% Native American, and 1.39% from two or more races. 1.67% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 79 households, out of which 55.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 4.54 and the average family size was 5.52.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 43.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 16.7% from 45 to 64, and 2.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 120.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.5 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $33,250, and the median income for a family was $34,750. Males had a median income of $21,875 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $9,881. About 19.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education

The large blue building is the Kongiganak school, portions of wind and tank farms also visible

Kongiganak is served by one school in the Lower Kuskokwim School District, Ayagina'ar Elitnaurvik. As of 2018 ^[update] it serves 174 students between grades P and 12. ^[11] As of 2014 the student count was 177. ^[12] The Wolverines are the school mascot.

Health

Sale, importation and possession of alcohol are banned in the village. ^[13]

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
2. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
4. "Geological Survey Professional Paper". 1949.
5. "Map of Alaska and Adjoining Regions compiled by Ivan Petroff Special Agent Tenth Census 1880. Showing the Distribution of Native Tribes".
6. "Get Maps".
7. "Statistics of the Population of Alaska" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 1880.
8. "Alaska Fisheries Science Center Publications | NOAA Fisheries" (PDF). March 12, 2021.
9. "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
11. "Ayagina'ar Elitnaurvik." Ayagina'ar Elitnaurvik. Retrieved on July 13, 2018.
12. "Community Database Online". Archived from the original on February 28, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2014.
13. "Schedule of Local Option Communities" (PDF). Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Retrieved May 3, 2023.

59°57′14″N162°53′43″W / 59.953896°N 162.895199°W / 59.953896; -162.895199