Editing Alakanuk, Alaska

{{short description|City in Alaska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Alakanuk
|native_name              = {{native name|esu|Alarneq}}
     
|settlement_type          = [[City (Alaska)|City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = <!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = File:AUK-Aerial Map.jpg
|image_caption            = Alakanuk Airport
|imagesize                = 300px
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map  = Alaska
|pushpin_map_caption  = Location in Alaska

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Alaska]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|Census area]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska|Kusilvak]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Thomas Alstrom<ref>{{Cite book|title=2023 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|date=January 2023|publisher=Alaska Municipal League|location=[[Juneau, Alaska|Juneau]]|page=38|url=https://www.akml.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Alakanuk.pdf|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = [[Donny Olson]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
|leader_title2            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
|leader_name2             = [[Neal Foster]] (D)
|established_title        = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
|established_date         = October 28, 1969<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=20}} (though an earlier source states November 5, 1973;  see {{Cite journal|title=Directory of Borough and City Officials 1974|journal=Alaska Local Government|volume=XIII|issue=2|page=14|location=Juneau|publisher=[[Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development|Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs]]|date=January 1974}})</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           = 108.26
|area_land_km2            = 83.40
|area_water_km2           = 24.86
|area_total_sq_mi         = 41.80
|area_land_sq_mi          = 32.20
|area_water_sq_mi         = 9.60

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 Census">{{Cite web|title=Alakanuk city, Alaska|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|url=https://data.census.gov/profile?g=160XX00US0201200|access-date=September 7, 2023}}</ref>
|population_total         = 756
|timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
|utc_offset               = -9
|timezone_DST             = AKDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -8
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 1
|elevation_ft             = 3
|coordinates              = {{Coord|62|41|5|N|164|38|43|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 99554
|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               = 02-01200
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS4|1398042}}
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 23.48
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_density_km2 = 9.07
}}

'''Alakanuk''' {{small|(ah-LUG-uh-nuck)}} ({{langx|esu|Alarneq}}) is a second class city in the [[Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska|Kusilvak Census Area]] of the [[Unorganized Borough, Alaska|Unorganized Borough]] in the western part of the U.S. state of [[Alaska]]. As of the [[United States Census, 2010|2010 census]], the population of the city was 677, up from 652 in 2000.

==Location and climate==
Alakanuk is located at 62.688890° North, 164.61528° West (Sec. 14, T030N, R082W, Seward Meridian).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> Alakanuk is located in the Bethel [[Recording District (Alaska)|Recording District]].

Alakanuk is located at the east entrance of Alakanuk Pass, the major southern channel of the [[Yukon River]], {{convert|15|mi|km}} from the Bering Sea. It is part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge. It lies {{convert|8|mi|km}} southwest of Emmonak, approximately {{convert|162|mi|km}} northwest of Bethel. It is the longest village on the lower Yukon - the development stretches over a {{convert|3|mi|km|adj=on}} area along the Pass. Approximately 25 homes along the bank are being threatened by erosion.

The climate of Alakanuk is subarctic, averaging {{convert|60|in|mm}} of snowfall and {{convert|19|in|mm}} of total precipitation per year. Temperatures range from {{convert|-25|to|79|°F|°C}}. Heavy winds are frequent during the fall and winter. The Yukon River is used as an ice road during freeze-up, from November through May.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|41.0|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|32.4|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|8.7|sqmi|km2}} of it (21.14%) is water.

==History and culture==
Alakanuk is a Yup'ik word meaning "wrong way" or "mistake village", aptly applied to a village on this maze of watercourses. The village was first reported by G.R. Putnam of the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey in 1899. It was originally settled by a Yup'ik shaman named Anguksuar and his family. A Catholic mission school was built near the village. A post office was established in 1946. In 1948, the school was relocated to St. Mary's, and many families moved from the old school site to Alakanuk. It incorporated as a second-class city in 1969.

A federally recognized tribe is located in the community—the Village of Alakanuk.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1940= 61
|1950= 140
|1960= 278
|1970= 414
|1980= 522
|1990= 544
|2000= 652
|2010= 677
|2020= 756
|2020n={{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2023|reason=No mention of Alakanuk at the given link}}
}}

{{update section|date=May 2023|reason=Newer information is available from the 2010 and 2020 census reports}}

Alakanuk first appeared on the 1940 U.S. Census as the unincorporated native village of "Alaganuck."<ref>{{cite web |title=Alaska - Number of Inhabitants |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33973538v1ch11.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1940}}</ref> It returned as Alakanuk in 1950<ref>{{cite web |title=Number of Inhabitants - Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41601749v2p51-54ch2.pdf |website=United States Census Bureau |date=1950}}</ref> and every successive census to date (2010).<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> It formally incorporated in 1969.

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 652 people, 139 households, and 118 families residing in the city.  The population density was 20.2 people per square mile (7.8/km{{sup|2}}).  There were 160 housing units at an average density of 4.9 per square&nbsp;mile (1.9/km{{sup|2}}).  The racial makeup of the city was 1.99% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 95.40% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], and 2.45% from two or more races.

There were 139 households, out of which 59.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.1% were non-families. 10.8% 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 4.69 and the average family size was 5.19.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 44.6% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 21.9% from 25 to 44, 13.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.9% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 20 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,346, and the median income for a family was $26,500. Males had a median income of $19,792 versus $32,500 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $6,884.  About 32.5% of families and 33.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.1% of those under age 18 and 25.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Facilities, utilities, and healthcare==
The City operates the water and piped sewer system and the central watering point. Approximately 90% of homes are connected. There is a sewage lagoon available for individuals to dump their [[Bucket toilet|honey bucket]]s.

The City Council is the policy-making body for the utility. Water is derived from the Alakanuk Slough; it is treated, stored in a tank, and piped to most of the community. In 1998, 83 homes, the school and teachers' housing were connected to a new piped system. New facilities include a water treatment plant, heated 300,000-gal. water storage tank, vacuum sewage plant, sewage lagoon, Arctic piping, and household plumbing.

A new subdivision is currently underway, and nine homes will be connected to the piped utilities. The city has funding from DEC for service connections to 20 homes. Ten homes have been moved from the erosion zone on the river bank and are ready for service. The city is planning to move an additional 10 homes.

AVCP is building a 9-home subdivision, including water and sewer mains and service connections, for occupancy in 2002. The city completed a feasibility study for service area 7, which is the area across the river, and would like to obtain funding to make this expansion. The landfill is reported as inactive.

Electricity is provided by AVEC. Local hospitals or health clinics include Alakanuk Health Clinic and Pearl E. Johnson Sub-Regional Clinic in Emmonak. Alakanuk Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Alakanuk is classified as an isolated village, located in EMS Region 7A in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide.

The sale, importation and possession of [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]] are banned in the village.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/9/pub/ABC/DryDampCommunities/Local%20Option%20Communities%20-%20Rev%202.25.22.pdf |title=Schedule of Local Option Communities |publisher=Alcoholic Beverage Control Board |accessdate=May 3, 2023}}</ref>

==Education==
K-12 students are zoned for [[Alakanuk School]].

==Economy and Transportation==
Alakanuk experiences a seasonal economy. 76 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Many have gill net permits, and set net fishermen sell their salmon to Seattle fish buyers. Poor fish returns since 1998 have significantly affected the community.

Government employment and retail businesses provide limited year-round employment. Salmon, beluga whale, seal, moose and rabbit provide food sources. Some residents trap. Many residents travel to [[Emmonak, Alaska|Emmonak]] to shop and attend social events and basketball tournaments.

[[Alakanuk Airport]], a State-owned 2,200' long by 55' wide gravel airstrip, is available for air transport. However, an airport relocation project is underway due to erosion. Grant Aviation, Hageland Aviation and Tanana Air Service offer passenger flight service. Alakanuk is easily accessible from the [[Yukon River]] and [[Bering Sea]] by barge and riverboat. Most passengers and mail arrive by air.

There are no roads connecting Alakanuk with other population centers in the region, but ice roads are used in winter. Snow machines and boats are used for local travel.

Taxes:	Sales: 4%, Property: None, Special: None

==Notable people==
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{{Dynamic list}}
* [[Segundo Llorente|Father Segundo Llorente]] (1906–1989), a [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit priest]] born in [[Spain]], was elected to the [[Alaska House of Representatives]] in 1960 as a [[write-in candidate]] while stationed in Alakanuk

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Alaska}}
* [https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/dcra/DCRAExternal/community/Details/ce7e59f5-2ed0-4555-8468-0a18a3a36191 Alakanuk] 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/20160304194705/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/alari/images/maps/6_26_6map.pdf 2000], [https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120351/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/placemaps/01200.pdf 2010]

{{Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Cities in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska]]
[[Category:Cities in Unorganized Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Road-inaccessible communities of Alaska]]
[[Category:Yukon River]]