Editing Bethel Census Area, Alaska

{{Short description|Census area in Alaska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Bethel Census Area
 | state                = Alaska
 | ex image             = St. Sergius Chapel, Chuathbaluk, Alaska.jpg
 | ex image size        = 300px
 | ex image cap         = [[St. Sergius Chapel]], [[Chuathbaluk]]
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1980<ref>In 1980, the [[United States Census Bureau]] divided the [[Unorganized Borough]] into 12 census areas.</ref>
 | founded date         = 
 | founded title        = Established
 | seat wl              = 
 | largest city wl      = Bethel
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 45504
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 40570
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4934
 | area percentage      = 10.8%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 18666
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 18224 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 0.42
 | web                  = 
 | district             = At-large
 | time zone            = Alaska
}}

'''Bethel Census Area''' is a [[List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska|census area]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population is 18,666, up from 17,013 in 2010.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/bethelcensusareaalaska/PST045222 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> It is part of the [[unorganized borough]] and therefore has no [[borough seat]]. Its largest community is the city of [[Bethel, Alaska|Bethel]], which is also the largest city in the unorganized borough.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the census area has an area of {{convert|45504|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|40570|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4934|sqmi}} (10.8%) is water.<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> Its territory includes the large [[Nunivak Island]] in the [[Bering Sea]].

Its land area is comparable to that of Kentucky, which has an area of slightly under forty thousand square miles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-1.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live | title=United States Summary: 2010, Population and Housing Unit Counts, 2010 Census of Population and Housing | publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] | pages=V-2, 1 & 41 (Tables 1 & 18) | date=September 2012 | access-date=May 23, 2017}}</ref>

===Adjacent boroughs and census areas===
* [[Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska]] - northwest
* [[Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska]] - north
* [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska]] - east
* [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska]] - southeast
* [[Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska]] - south
* [[Dillingham Census Area, Alaska]] - south

===National protected areas===
* [[Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge]] (part of the Bering Sea unit)
** [[Bering Sea Wilderness]]
* [[Lake Clark National Park and Preserve]] (part)
** [[Lake Clark Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Togiak National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
** [[Togiak Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)
** [[Nunivak Wilderness]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1960= 5537
|1970= 7579
|1980= 10999
|1990= 13656
|2000= 16006
|2010= 17013
|2020= 18666
|estyear=2023
|estimate=18224
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 28, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ak190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 16,006 people, 4,226 households, and 3,173 families living in the census area. The population density was {{convert|0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 5,188 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0|/mi2|/km2}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the census area was 12.53% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 81.93% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 3.85% from two or more races. 0.87% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
Of the 4,226 households, 51.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.20% were married couples living together, 15.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 19.90% of households were one person, and 2.80% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.73 and the average family size was 4.41.

In the census area the population was spread out, with 39.80% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 16.40% from 45 to 64, and 5.20% 65 or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.80 males.

Bethel Census Area is one of only 38 county-level census divisions of the United States where the most spoken language is not English and one of only 4 where it is neither English nor Spanish. 63.14% of the population speak a [[Yupik language]] at home, followed by English at 34.71%.<ref>[http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=2&county_id=50&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r Language Map Data Center]. Mla.org (April 3, 2013). Retrieved on August 2, 2013.</ref>

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Bethel Census Area, Alaska|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rrhelections.com/index.php/2018/02/02/alaska-results-by-county-equivalent-1960-2016/|title=RRH Elections|first=RRH|last=Elections|website=rrhelections.com|date=February 2, 2018 |access-date=January 12, 2020}}</ref>}}
<!--{{PresRow|Year|Winner|GOP #|Dem #|3rd #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|1,622|2,181|466|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|1,670|3,085|352|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|1,103|2,719|1,122|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|1,150|3,425|236|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|2,250|2,695|228|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,935|1,832|181|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|2,025|2,232|553|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,467|2,790|570|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,844|1,840|915|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,951|1,669|147|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,402|2,104|159|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|860|2,068|457|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,344|1,410|112|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|1,033|1,426|87|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|939|1,293|158|Alaska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|257|1,649|0|Alaska}}

{{PresFoot|1960|Republican|785|382|0|Alaska}}Like most counties or equivalents with a [[List of U.S. counties with Native American majority populations|Native American majority]], Bethel tends to support Democratic presidential candidates. However, Republican Senator [[Lisa Murkowski]], who has fared well with Alaska Native voters, carried the census area overwhelmingly in [[2022 United States Senate election in Alaska|2022]].

==Communities==

===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Akiak, Alaska|Akiak]]
*[[Aniak, Alaska|Aniak]]
*[[Bethel, Alaska|Bethel]]
*[[Chefornak, Alaska|Chefornak]]
*[[Chuathbaluk, Alaska|Chuathbaluk]]
*[[Eek, Alaska|Eek]]
*[[Goodnews Bay, Alaska|Goodnews Bay]]
*[[Kwethluk, Alaska|Kwethluk]]
*[[Lower Kalskag, Alaska|Lower Kalskag]]
*[[Mekoryuk, Alaska|Mekoryuk]]
*[[Napakiak, Alaska|Napakiak]]
*[[Napaskiak, Alaska|Napaskiak]]
*[[Nightmute, Alaska|Nightmute]]
*[[Nunapitchuk, Alaska|Nunapitchuk]]
*[[Platinum, Alaska|Platinum]]
*[[Quinhagak, Alaska|Quinhagak]]
*[[Toksook Bay, Alaska|Toksook Bay]]
*[[Upper Kalskag, Alaska|Upper Kalskag]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Akiachak, Alaska|Akiachak]]
*[[Atmautluak, Alaska|Atmautluak]]
*[[Crooked Creek, Alaska|Crooked Creek]]
*[[Kasigluk, Alaska|Kasigluk]]
*[[Kipnuk, Alaska|Kipnuk]]
*[[Kongiganak, Alaska|Kongiganak]]
*[[Kwigillingok, Alaska|Kwigillingok]]
*[[Lime Village, Alaska|Lime Village]]
*[[Mertarvik, Alaska|Mertarvik]]
*[[Newtok, Alaska|Newtok]]
*[[Oscarville, Alaska|Oscarville]]
*[[Red Devil, Alaska|Red Devil]]
*[[Sleetmute, Alaska|Sleetmute]]
*[[Stony River, Alaska|Stony River]]
*[[Tuluksak, Alaska|Tuluksak]]
*[[Tuntutuliak, Alaska|Tuntutuliak]]
*[[Tununak, Alaska|Tununak]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
*[[Crow Village, Alaska|Crow Village]]
*[[Georgetown, Alaska|Georgetown]]
*[[Napaimute, Alaska|Napaimute]]
*[[Umkumiute, Alaska|Umkumiute]]

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02050_bethel/DC20SD_C02050.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02050_bethel/DC20SD_C02050.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Bethel Census Area, AK|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 31, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st02_ak/schooldistrict_maps/c02050_bethel/DC20SD_C02050_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Iditarod Area School District]]
* [[Kuspuk School District]]
* [[Lower Kuskokwim School District]]
* [[Lower Yukon School District]]
* [[Yupiit School District]]

==See also==
*[[List of Airports in the Bethel Census Area]]
*[[Nunathloogagamiutbingoi Dunes]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721032903/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/alari/images/maps/6_4_0map.pdf Census Area map, 2000 census: Alaska Department of Labor]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141218000107/http://labor.alaska.gov/research/census/borcamaps/6_4_0map.pdf Census Area map, 2010 census: Alaska Department of Labor]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Bethel Census Area, Alaska
|North     = [[Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska|Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska|Matanuska-Susitna Borough]]
|Southeast = [[Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Kenai Peninsula Borough]]
|South     = [[Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska|Lake and Peninsula Borough]] and [[Dillingham Census Area, Alaska|Dillingham Census Area]]
|Southwest =
|West      = ''[[Bering Sea]]''
|Northwest = [[Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska|Kusilvak Census Area]]
}}

{{Bethel Census Area, Alaska}}
{{Alaska}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|60|45|N|160|30|W|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-AK_source:gnis_scale:6000000}}

[[Category:Bethel Census Area, Alaska| ]]
[[Category:Alaska census areas]]
[[Category:Bering Sea]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1980]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in Alaska]]