Editing Akutan, Alaska

{{short description|City in Alaska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name                   = Akutan
| native_name                     = Achan-ingiiga
| settlement_type                 = [[City (Alaska)|City]]
| nickname                        = 
| motto                           = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline                   = KQA-b.jpg
| imagesize                       = 
| image_caption                   = 
| image_flag                      = 
| image_seal                      = 
<!-- Maps -->
| pushpin_map                     = Alaska#North America
| pushpin_map_caption             = Location in Alaska
| image_map                       = 
| mapsize                         = 
| map_caption                     = 
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type                = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name                = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = [[Alaska]]
| subdivision_type2               = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Borough]]
| subdivision_name2               = [[Aleutians East Borough, Alaska|Aleutians East]]
| government_footnotes            = 
| government_type                 = 
| leader_title                    = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                     = Joe Bereskin<ref>{{Cite book|title=2023 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|date=January 2023|publisher=Alaska Municipal League|location=[[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]]|page=37|url=https://www.akml.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Akutan.pdf|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>
| leader_title1                   = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
| leader_name1                    = [[Lyman Hoffman]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alaskasenate.org/2020/member/lyman-hoffman/ |title=Senator Lyman Hoffman |publisher=Alaskasenate.org |website=Alaska Senate Majority |access-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408143501/https://www.alaskasenate.org/2020/member/lyman-hoffman/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| leader_title2                   = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
| leader_name2                    = [[Bryce Edgmon]] ([[Independent politician|I]])
| established_title               = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date                = 1979<ref>{{cite book|title=1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=[[Juneau]]|publisher=Alaska Municipal League/[[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development|Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs]]|date=January 1996|page=19}}</ref>

<!-- Area -->
| area_magnitude                  = 
| area_footnotes                  = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_02.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 29, 2021}}</ref>
| area_total_km2                  = 383.07
| area_land_km2                   = 170.88
| area_water_km2                  = 212.19
| area_total_sq_mi                = 147.90
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 65.98
| area_water_sq_mi                = 81.93

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of                = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes            = 
| population_total                = 1589
| timezone                        = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
| utc_offset                      = -9
| timezone_DST                    = AKDT
| utc_offset_DST                  = -8
| elevation_footnotes             = 
| elevation_m                     = 30
| elevation_ft                    = 98
| coordinates                     = {{coord|54|7|57|N|165|46|30|W|region:US-AK|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type                = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code                     = 99553
| area_code                       = [[Area code 907|907]]
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name                      = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info                      = 02-01090
| blank1_name                     = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info                     = {{GNIS 4|1418123}}
| website                         = 
| footnotes                       = 
| population_density_sq_mi        = 24.08
| unit_pref                       = Imperial
| population_density_km2          = 9.30
| name                            = 
}}

'''Akutan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|k|uː|t|æ|n}} {{respell|AK|oo-tan}}, {{langx|ale|Achan-ingiiga}}<ref name="Bergsland">{{cite book | first=K. | last=Bergsland | author-link=Knut Bergsland | year=1994 | title=Aleut Dictionary |publisher=Alaska Native Language Center |location=Fairbanks }}</ref>) is a city on [[Akutan Island]] in the [[Aleutians East Borough, Alaska|Aleutians East Borough]] of the [[Aleutian Islands]] in [[Alaska]], [[United States]]. The population was 1,589 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 1,027 in 2010,<ref name="2020 Census Data">{{cite web | url = https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/cen/2020-census-data.html | title = 2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places | format = Web | publisher = State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development | access-date = October 31, 2021}}</ref> making it the 4th [[List of cities in Alaska|fastest-growing city]] of the decade in Alaska. '''Akutan Harbor''' is adjacent.

==Geography==
Akutan is located at {{coord|54|7|57|N|165|46|30|W|type:city}}. Akutan is located in the [[Aleutian Islands]] [[Recording District (Alaska)|Recording District]].

Akutan is located on [[Akutan Island]] in the eastern Aleutians, one of the [[Krenitzin Islands]] in the [[Fox Islands (Alaska)|Fox Islands]] group. It is {{convert|35|mi}} east of [[Unalaska, Alaska|Unalaska]], and {{convert|766|mi|km}} southwest of [[Anchorage, Alaska|Anchorage]]. Akutan lies in the [[oceanic climate|maritime climate]] zone, resulting in mild winters and cool summers. Mean temperatures range from {{convert|22|to|55|F|C}}, and precipitation averages {{convert|28|inch|mm}} per year. High winds and storms are frequent in the winter, and fog is common in the summer.

According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|18.9|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|14.0|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|4.9|sqmi|km2}} of it (25.69%) is water.

==History and culture==

Akutan began in 1878 as a fur storage and trading port for the Western Fur & Trading Company. The company's agent established a commercial cod fishing and processing business that quickly attracted nearby [[Unangan]] to the community. A [[Russian Orthodox]] church and a school were built in 1878, but was replaced by the [[St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel]], built in 1918.

The Pacific Whaling Company built a whale processing station across the bay from Akutan in 1912. It was the only whaling station in the Aleutians, and operated until 1939.

[[File:St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel.JPG|thumb|left|upright=1.1|[[St. Alexander Nevsky Chapel]]]]
After the Japanese attacked Unalaska in June 1942, the U.S. government evacuated Akutan residents to the Ketchikan area. In June 1942, a Japanese [[A6M Zero]] fighter piloted by Tadayoshi Koga crashed on Akutan Island. It was recovered in July by the United States Army Air Force. This plane, dubbed the [[Akutan Zero]], significantly aided American tacticians in devising [[dog fighting]] techniques to defeat the Zero, and helped change the course of the war.

The village was re-established in 1944, although many villagers chose not to return. This exposure to the outside world brought many changes to the traditional lifestyle and attitudes of the community. The city was incorporated in 1979.

A federally recognized tribe is located in the community—the [[Native Village of Akutan]]. The population of the community consists of 16.4% Alaska Native or part Native. Akutan is a fishing community, and is the site of a traditional Unangan village. Approximately 75 persons are year-round residents; the majority of the population are transient [[fish processing]] workers that live in group quarters.

<gallery>
File:Whaling station showing buildings and harbor, Akutan, Alaska, ca 1915 (COBB 79).jpeg|Whaling station along the harbor at Akutan ca. 1915
File:American Pacific Sea Products Co's whaler UNIMAK, Akutan Harbor, Alaska, 1914 (COBB 46).jpeg|Whaler ''Unimak'' in Akutan Harbor, 1914. An American Pacific Sea Products Co. vessel
File:Group of men standing with dead whale, American Pacific Sea Products Co, Akutan Harbor, Alaska, 1914 (COBB 43).jpeg|Men standing by dead whale at Akutan Harbor whaling station, 1914
File:Flensing whales at a whaling station, Akutan, Alaska, ca 1915 (COBB 75).jpeg|[[Flensing]] whales at Akutan, ca. 1915
</gallery>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1880= 65
|1890= 80
|1920= 66
|1930= 71
|1940= 80
|1950= 86
|1960= 107
|1970= 101
|1980= 169
|1990= 589
|2000= 713
|2010= 1027
|2020= 1589
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}

Akutan first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated Aleut village. It reported 65 residents, of whom 63 were Aleut and 2 were White.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statistics of the Population of Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-17.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1880}}</ref> In 1890, it reported 80 residents, of whom 71 were Native, 6 were Creole (Mixed Russian & Native) and 3 were White.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report on Population and Resources of Alaska at the Eleventh Census: 1890 |url=http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v8-01.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |publisher=Government Printing Office}}</ref> It did not appear again until the 1920 census.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population of Outlying Possessions by Civil Divisions: 1920 and earlier years |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch5.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1920 |pages=680 & 681}}</ref> It formally incorporated in 1979. Beginning in 1990, it reported an Asian plurality of residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-3.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is one of only three communities in Alaska as of 2010 to have either an Asian plurality (Kodiak) or majority (Adak).<ref>{{cite web |author1=U.S. Census Bureau |title=2010 Census of Population and Housing - Alaska |url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-1-3.pdf |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224134536/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-1-3.pdf |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |date=June 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 713 people, 34 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|50.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 38 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 23.56% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 2.10% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 15.71% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 38.57% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 18.23% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.54% from two or more races. 20.76% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 34 households, out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 3.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 48.2% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 1.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 334.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 342.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $13,988 versus $23,750 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $12,258. None of the families and 45.5% of the population were living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and 40.0% of those over 64.

During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 38, and vacant housing units numbered 4. It showed 97 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 83.89 percent, although 84.84 percent of all adults were not in the work force.

==Public services==
Water is supplied by a local stream and dam, originally constructed in 1927. Water is treated and piped into all homes. Funds have been requested to develop two new water catchment dams, and construct a new 125,000-gal. water storage tank and treatment plant. Sewage is piped to a community septic tank, with effluent discharge through an ocean outfall. Refuse is collected three times a week; a new landfill site and incinerator were recently completed. The City recycles aluminum. [[Trident Seafoods]] operates its own water, sewer and electric facilities. Electricity is provided by Akutan Electric Utility.

There is one school located in the community, Akutan School of the [[Aleutians East Borough School District]] (AEBSD),<ref>"[http://www.aebsd.org/schools Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220092126/http://www.aebsd.org/schools |date=2017-02-20 }}." [[Aleutians East Borough School District]]. Retrieved on February 20, 2017.</ref> attended by 18 students.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} Circa October 1978 the school, then a part of the [[Aleutian Region School District]], had a single teacher,<ref name=Aleutp58>''Aleutian Islands, Aleutian Peninsula Debris Removal: Environmental Impact Statement''. [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]], 1980. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=UvoyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA58 58].</ref> and 12 students.<ref name=Aleutp59>''Aleutian Islands, Aleutian Peninsula Debris Removal: Environmental Impact Statement''. [[United States Army Corps of Engineers]], 1980. p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=UvoyAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA59 59].</ref>

Local hospitals or health clinics include Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic (907-698-2208). Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. [[Eastern Aleutian Tribes]] Inc. operates the Anesia Kudrin clinic as part of its health care system. The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Akutan is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide. There is a physician assistant certified at the Anesia Kudrin clinic, and for much of the year there a physician assistant or nurse practitioner at the processing plant's occupational medicine/urgent care clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by Akutan First Responders (907-698-2208/2315); or by flight to Unalaska or Anchorage.

Transportation is provided by seaplane, by private or fleet fishing vessels, and the State Ferry makes monthly visits in summer weather.

[[Image:PenAir Grumman Goose.jpg|right|thumb|275px|A [[Grumman Goose]] operated by [[Pen Air]] at Akutan]]

== Economy ==
Commercial fish processing dominates Akutan's cash-based economy, and not many locals are seasonally employed. Trident Seafoods operates a large processing plant west of the city for cod, crab, pollock and fish meal. The population of Akutan can quadruple or quintuple during processing months. Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for halibut and other groundfish. Subsistence foods include seal, salmon, herring, halibut, clams, wild cattle, and game birds.

===Taxes===
Sales: None, Property: None, Special: 1% Raw Fish Tax (City); 2% Raw Fish Tax (Borough)

==Transportation==
Boats and amphibious aircraft, hovercraft, or helicopter are the only means of transportation into and out of Akutan. A {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on}} dock and a small boat mooring basin are available. Plans are underway to develop a practical way to get to a large boat harbor that has been built at the head of the bay. The State Ferry operates from Kodiak bi-monthly between May and October. Cargo is delivered weekly by freighter from Seattle; the City owns and operates a landing craft, the M/V Akutan. Akutan has no airstrip due to the steep terrain, however, a [[Akutan Seaplane Base|seaplane base]] is available and open to the public. Helicopter service between Akutan and [[Akun Island]], the location of [[Akutan Airport]], began in February 2014. The only airline company serving the airport is [[Grant Aviation]], flying to nearby Dutch Harbor. The airport was expected to cost $77 million of which nearly $60 million came from the U.S. federal government. Trident paid $1 million towards the cost of the airport.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2011/10/07/tuchman-alaska-airport.cnn Alaska's 'airport to nowhere'], CNN, Gary Tuchman, October 7, 2011</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/dcra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/e569dafa-a01c-4f00-92c2-b27d9ee32ea8 Akutan] at the Community Database Online from the [[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development|Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs]]
* Maps from the [[Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development]]: [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304193052/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/alari/images/maps/6_1_5map.pdf 2000], [https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121646/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/placemaps/01090.pdf 2010], [https://web.archive.org/web/20151222085638/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/maps/place/2014/01090.pdf 2014]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090526012344/http://dot.alaska.gov/creg/akutan/assets/AkutanEA_report.pdf Akutan report]
* {{HABS |survey=AK-96 |id=ak0315 |title=Village of Akutan, Akutan, Aleutians East Borough, AK}}

{{Aleutians East Borough, Alaska}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Akutan Island]]
[[Category:Cities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Cities in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Historic American Buildings Survey in Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1878]]