Olosega County

Last updated
Olosega County
Olosega Aerial AKK.jpg
Aerial view of Olosega
Olosega County
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 14°10′36.39″S169°37′26.79″W / 14.1767750°S 169.6241083°W / -14.1767750; -169.6241083
Archipelago Ofu-Olosega
Administration
Manu'a District
Demographics
Populationc. 147 (2020)

Olosega County is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. It comprises the eastern half of the twin islands of Ofu-Olosega. It includes the villages of Olosega and Sili, and was home to roughly 147 residents in 2020. The topography is characterized by volcanic terrain, and coral reefs in the surrounding seas with diverse aquatic life.

Contents

Geography

Olosega is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. [1] It comprises the eastern half of the twin islands of Ofu-Olosega, and includes the villages of Olosega and Sili. [2] [3] The twin islands are located approximately 65 miles (105 km) east of Tutuila, the largest island of American Samoa. [4] Olosega County has existed since 1930, when Luanuu County was split to create separate counties of Ofu and Olosega. [5] Olosega County is part of the Manu‘a senatorial district, represented collectively by Manu‘a senators. [6]

The name Olosega, is derived from the Samoan language and translates as "Fortress of Parakeets". [7] The islands were formed by the activity of shield volcanoes. [8] The topography consists of steep volcanic slopes with covered with tropical forest, and coral reefs in the surrounding seas. [6]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1930438    
1940509+16.2%
1950545+7.1%
1960429−21.3%
1970380−11.4%
YearPop.±%
1980249−34.5%
1990225−9.6%
2000216−4.0%
2010177−18.1%
2020147−16.9%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

Olosega County was first recorded with a population of 438 individuals in the 1930 U.S. Census. [10] The population reached its maximum in 1950 with 545 residents and has since declined to just 147 residents as of 2020. [9] [11] Subsistence farming and fishing are prevalent in the region. [12] The population is predominantly Samoan-speaking, with strong family and village ties. [6]

Transportation

A pedestrian bridge linked Olosega to Ofu across the Asaga Strait, replaced by vehicular bridge since 1970. Occasional inter-island flights between Manu‘a and Tutuila and further boat services provide connectivity to the region. [6]

References

  1. "5.0102 Division of districts into counties". ASBAR. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
  2. "CPH-T-8. Population, Housing Units, Land Area, and Density for U.S. Island Areas: 2010" (PDF). United States Census. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. 1987 Census of Agriculture: Geographic area series, Parts 55-56. Bureau of the Census. 1991. p. 4.
  4. "Manuʻa Islands region overview". Office of Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  5. 1940 Census Populations (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau (Report). Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Olosega". Visit American Samoa. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  7. W. Churchill (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society . 45 (3): 192. doi:10.2307/199273.
  8. "Ofu-Olosega". U.S. Geological Survey . Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  9. 1 2 "United States Census" . Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  10. "American Samoa" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  11. 2020 Census Village Populations (PDF). United States Census (Report). Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  12. "Agricultural census records in American Samoa (1920–1990)". U.S. National Archives. Retrieved 17 June 2025.