Editing Chenega, Alaska

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Chenega, Alaska
|native_name              = Caniqaq
|settlement_type          = [[Census-designated place|CDP]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Chenega, Alaska Aerial 1.jpg
|imagesize                = 250px
|image_caption            = Aerial of Chenega Bay Village and boat harbor - Chenega Bay, Evans Island, 1989 
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = AKMap-doton-Chenega.PNG
|map_caption              = Location of Chenega, Alaska
|mapsize                  = 250x200px
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- 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|Census Area]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
|leader_name              = [[Gary Stevens (Alaska politician)|Gary Stevens]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|R]])
|leader_title1            = [[Alaska House of Representatives|State rep.]]
|leader_name1             = [[Louise Stutes]] (R)
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- 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           = 76.57
|area_land_km2            = 75.85
|area_water_km2           = 0.72
|area_total_sq_mi         = 29.56
|area_land_sq_mi          = 29.29
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.28

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 59

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
|utc_offset               = -9
|timezone_DST             = AKDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -8
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 
|coordinates              = {{coord|60|3|59|N|148|0|40|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = 
|postal_code              = 
|area_code                = [[Area code 907|907]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 02-12970
|blank1_name              = 
|blank1_info              = 
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_density_sq_mi = 2.01
|population_density_km2 = 0.78
}}
'''Chenega''' ({{IPAc-en|tʃ|ᵻ|ˈ|n|iː|ɡ|ə}}; [[Alutiiq language|Alutiiq]]: {{lang|ems|Caniqaq}}) is a [[census-designated place]] (CDP) on [[Evans Island]] in the [[Chugach Census Area, Alaska|Chugach Census Area]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. Located in [[Prince William Sound]], the CDP consists of the [[Chugach]] [[Alutiiq]] village of '''Chenega Bay''', which was established only after the [[Good Friday earthquake]] destroyed the original community on [[Chenega Island]] to the north. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population of the CDP was 59, largely [[Alaska Natives]]; as of 2021, the population of Chenega is estimated at 49. Chenega Bay is in the [[Chugach School District]] and has one school, Chenega Bay Community School, serving approximately 16 students from preschool through high school.

==History==

=== Original Chenega ===
The original village of Chenega, located on [[Chenega Island]], was inhabited by the Chenega tribe, a subgroup of the [[Chugach]] [[Alutiiq]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Our Tribes |url=https://www.crrcalaska.org/website/index.php/our-tribes |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=www.crrcalaska.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Region |url=https://www.chugach.com/about-us/our-region/ |access-date=May 9, 2023 |website=Chugach Corp |language=en-US}}</ref> The name Chenega derives from "Beneath the Mountain".<ref name=":0" /> The village was a fishing village that was settled before Russian arrival in the area.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Chenega {{!}} Chugachmiut |url=https://www.chugachmiut.org/about-us/about-chugachmiut/service-area/chenega/ |access-date=May 9, 2023}}</ref> A post office operated there from 1946 until the destruction of the town in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 27, 1949 |title=Geological Survey Professional Paper |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Rr9RAQAAMAAJ&q=chenega&pg=PA49 |accessdate=August 27, 2020 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |via=Google Books}}</ref>

=== Destruction of Chenega ===
The original village of Chenega was destroyed in 1964 by a [[tsunami]] from the [[1964 Alaska earthquake|Good Friday earthquake]], which killed 26 residents,<ref name=":0" /> a third of the 68 people who lived there at the time, and leveled all the buildings in the town except for the school and a singular house.<ref name=":1" /> Immediately following the tsunami, survivors were taken to [[Cordova, Alaska|Cordova]], and the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] later permanently resettled them at [[Tatitlek, Alaska|Tatitlek]].<ref name=":1" />

=== Construction of Chenega Bay ===
After the [[Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act]] was passed, former residents of Chenega formed the Chenega [[Alaska Native corporation|Corporation]], which acquired the right to select 76,093 acres of land near the site of the old Chenega Village Township.<ref name=":1" /> In 1977, following research into the landscape and the needs of villagers, a new town location was chosen at Crab Bay on [[Evans Island]].<ref name=":1" /> Following the acquisition of funding for infrastructure, the new village, named Chenega Bay, was first occupied in 1984.<ref name=":1" />

Former and current Chenega residents gathered each Good Friday to remember the dead of Chenega. On the 25th Good Friday after the earthquake, in 1989, the [[oil tanker]] ''[[Exxon Valdez]]'' ran aground in Prince William Sound, causing an [[Exxon Valdez oil spill|oil spill]] that again devastated Chenega and other places around the area economically.

==Geography==
Chenega is located at {{coord|60|3|59|N|148|0|40|W|type:city}} (60.066327, -148.010991).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP has a total area of {{convert|29.1|sqmi|km2}}, of which, {{convert|28.8|sqmi|km2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.3|sqmi|km2}} of it (1.17%) is water.{{Citation needed|date=May 2023}} The village location is isolated, only accessible by boat or by plane.<ref name=":0" />

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| align = left
| 1880 = 80
| 1890 = 73
| 1900 = 140
| 1930 = 90
| 1940 = 95
| 1950 = 91
| 1960 = 61
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 6, 2013}}</ref>
}}

=== Old Chenega (1880–1964) ===
The original Chenega, then located on the south end of [[Chenega Island]] at {{Coord|60|16|47|N|148|04|36|W|region:US-AK_type:landmark_source:GNIS|name=Chenega (historical)}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:1421001,Chenega%20%2528historical%2529|title=GNIS Detail - Chenega (historical)|website=geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=August 27, 2020}}</ref> first appeared on the 1880 U.S. Census as an unincorporated [[Sugpiaq]] village (all 80 residents were [[Alutiiq|Sugpiaq/Alutiiq]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Areas, Dwellings, and Families |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-17.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It reported on the 1890 census as "Ingamatsha."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population and Resources of Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1890a_v8-01.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 71 of the residents were Native Alaskans and 2 were "[[Alaskan Creole people|Creole]]" (mixed Russian/Caucasian and Native Alaskan).

It returned in 1900 as Chenega.<ref>{{Cite web |title=33405927v1ch07.pdf |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33405927v1ch07.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It did not appear on the 1910 & 1920 censuses. It appeared as "Chanega" in 1930<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/00476569ch2.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> & 1940<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/33973538v1ch11.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> and lastly as Chenega in 1950<ref>{{Cite web |title=Number of Inhabitants Alaska |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41601749v2p51-54ch2.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> and 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Number of Inhabitants |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721577v1p3ch2.pdf |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It was largely destroyed in the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964 and its residents relocated. The old village has not been reported on the census since. Some buildings remain as of 2019.

=== New Chenega (Chenega Bay) (1990–) ===
{{US Census population
| align = left
| 1990 = 94
| 2000 = 86
| 2010 = 76
| 2020 = 59
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="auto"/>
}}
The new Chenega (or Chenega Bay) first appeared on the 1990 U.S. Census as a census-designated place (CDP).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population and Housing Summary Social, Economic, and Housing Characteristics Alaska |url=http://www.census.gov/prod/cen1990/cph5/cph-5-3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628060447/http://www.census.gov:80/prod/cen1990/cph5/cph-5-3.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2006 |access-date=August 8, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It was founded in 1982 by former residents from the Old Chenega and is located on the east side of Evans Island, named for the old village and island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=138:3:::NO:3:P3_FID,P3_TITLE:2418809,Chenega%20Census%20Designated%20Place|title=GNIS Detail - Chenega Census Designated Place|website=geonames.usgs.gov|accessdate=August 27, 2020}}</ref>

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, there were 86 people, 22 households, and 17 families residing in the CDP. The population density was {{convert|3.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 27 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the CDP was 22.09% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 73.26% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], and 4.65% from two or more races.

[[File:Chenega, Alaska Aerial 2.jpg|thumb|Distant aerial view of Chenega, Alaska, 1989]]

Of the 22 households, 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.2% were non-families. 13.6% 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 3.55 and the average family size was 3.83.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 33.7% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 132.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 119.2 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,750, and the median income for a family was $58,750. Males had a median income of $75,938 versus $32,500 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the CDP was $13,382. There were 16.7% of families and 15.6% of the population living below the [[poverty line]], including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

==References==
* [https://www.census.gov Chenega CDP, Alaska] United States Census Bureau
{{Reflist}}

{{Chugach Census Area, Alaska}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Census-designated places in Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Chugach Census Area, Alaska]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Unorganized Borough, Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:1982 establishments in Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1982]]
[[Category:1964 disestablishments in Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated places disestablished in 1964]]
[[Category:Populated places destroyed by earthquakes]]