Editing Elim, Alaska

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Elim
|native_name              = {{native name|esu|Neviarcaurluq}}<br>{{native name|ik|Nivviaqhchauġluq}}
|settlement_type          = [[City (Alaska)|City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = <!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = ElimAlaska (cropped).jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = View of Elim in August 1993
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map  = USA 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        = [[Nome Census Area, Alaska|Nome]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Paul Nagurak.<ref>{{Cite book|title=2015 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory|location=Juneau|publisher=Alaska Municipal League|year=2015|page=59}}</ref>
|leader_title1            = [[Alaska Senate|State senator]]
|leader_name1             = [[Donny Olson|Donald 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 17, 1970<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=53}}</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           = 6.89
|area_land_km2            = 6.89
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.66
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.66
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 366
|timezone                 = [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska (AKST)]]
|utc_offset               = -9
|timezone_DST             = AKDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -8
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 11
|elevation_ft             = 36
|coordinates              = {{coord|64|37|4|N|162|15|24|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 99739
|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               = 02-22250
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = {{GNIS 4|1401788}}
|website                  = 
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 137.65
|unit_pref = Imperial
|population_density_km2 = 53.14
}}
'''Elim''' ({{langx|esu|Neviarcaurluq}}; {{langx|ik|Nivviaqhchauġluq}}) is a city in [[Nome Census Area, Alaska]], United States. At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] the population was 330, up from 313 in 2000.

==Geography and climate==
Elim is located at {{coord|64|37|4|N|162|15|24|W|type:city}} (64.617734, -162.256705).<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>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.4|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

Elim has a [[subarctic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfc''). Winters are cold and long, and summers are warm and short.
{{Weather box
|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Moses Point Airport]], Alaska
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 42
|Feb record high F = 45
|Mar record high F = 44
|Apr record high F = 49
|May record high F = 75
|Jun record high F = 87
|Jul record high F = 84
|Aug record high F = 80
|Sep record high F = 69
|Oct record high F = 59
|Nov record high F = 39
|Dec record high F = 36
|year record high F = 87
|Jan avg record high F =31.5
|Feb avg record high F =29.4
|Mar avg record high F =33.0
|Apr avg record high F =41.0
|May avg record high F =62.4
|Jun avg record high F =73.8
|Jul avg record high F =75.8
|Aug avg record high F =69.5
|Sep avg record high F =59.1
|Oct avg record high F =45.6
|Nov avg record high F =33.9
|Dec avg record high F =30.1
|year avg record high F =79.3
|Jan high F = 8.8
|Feb high F = 8.0
|Mar high F = 14.7
|Apr high F = 26.2
|May high F = 43.5
|Jun high F = 57.6
|Jul high F = 61.2
|Aug high F = 57.9
|Sep high F = 49.0
|Oct high F = 31.7
|Nov high F = 19.2
|Dec high F = 6.0
|year high F = 32.0
|Jan mean F = 1.7
|Feb mean F = 0.8
|Mar mean F = 6.1
|Apr mean F = 18.1
|May mean F = 36.3
|Jun mean F = 50.0
|Jul mean F = 54.1
|Aug mean F = 51.9
|Sep mean F = 42.9
|Oct mean F = 26.1
|Nov mean F = 13.1
|Dec mean F = -0.6
|year mean F = 25.0
|Jan low F = -5.4
|Feb low F = -6.5
|Mar low F = -2.4
|Apr low F = 10.1
|May low F = 29.1
|Jun low F = 42.4
|Jul low F = 47.1
|Aug low F = 46.0
|Sep low F = 36.8
|Oct low F = 20.5
|Nov low F = 7.0
|Dec low F = -7.2
|year low F = 18.1
|Jan avg record low F = -36.0
|Feb avg record low F = -34.9
|Mar avg record low F = -29.2
|Apr avg record low F = -18.6
|May avg record low F = 11.1
|Jun avg record low F = 33.1
|Jul avg record low F = 37.6
|Aug avg record low F = 33.6
|Sep avg record low F = 22.9
|Oct avg record low F = 1.6
|Nov avg record low F = -18.5
|Dec avg record low F = -34.0
|year avg record low F = -42.5
|Jan record low F = -48
|Feb record low F = -49
|Mar record low F = -43
|Apr record low F = -39
|May record low F = -7
|Jun record low F = 26
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 28
|Sep record low F = 16
|Oct record low F = -14
|Nov record low F = -42
|Dec record low F = -54
|year record low F = -54
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.15
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.92
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.07
|Apr precipitation inch = 0.91
|May precipitation inch = 0.59
|Jun precipitation inch = 0.73
|Jul precipitation inch = 1.85
|Aug precipitation inch = 4.20
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.07
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.21
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.51
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.04
|year precipitation inch = 18.26
|Jan snow inch = 10.1
|Feb snow inch = 9.2
|Mar snow inch = 10.3
|Apr snow inch = 7.4
|May snow inch = 0.8
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.3
|Oct snow inch = 4.8
|Nov snow inch = 13.1
|Dec snow inch = 9.8
|year snow inch = 65.8
|source 1 = WRCC<ref name="climate">[http://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak6058 Moses Point Airport, Alaska - Period of Record : 3/1/1943 to 7/31/1967] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525134211/http://wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?ak6058 |date=May 25, 2017 }}. Retrieved November 10, 2019.</ref>
|date=October 2019}}

==Natural history==
A number of flora and fauna are found in the Elim area. This is the westernmost location for the range of [[Black Spruce]], ''[[Picea mariana]]''.<ref>C. Michael Hogan. 2008. [http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44751 ''Black Spruce: Picea mariana'', GlobalTwitcher.com, ed. Nicklas Stromberg] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005174426/http://globaltwitcher.auderis.se/artspec_information.asp?thingid=44751 |date=October 5, 2011 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 162
|1930= 97
|1940= 100
|1950= 154
|1960= 145
|1970= 174
|1980= 211
|1990= 264
|2000= 313
|2010= 330
|2020= 366
|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>
}}
Elim first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It was formally incorporated in 1970.

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 313 people, 84 households, and 69 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|128.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 106 housing units at an average density of {{convert|43.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 5.11% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 92.65% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], and 2.24% from two or more races.

Of the 84 households, 60.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.7% were non-families. 14.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.73 and the average family size was 4.16.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 41.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 14.7% from 45 to 64, and 6.7% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 131.9 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.0 males.

[[File:Sunrise Over the Bering Sea Elim (9511322983).jpg|thumb|Sunrise of Elim, Alaska]]

The median income for a household in the city was $40,179, and the median income for a family was $40,893. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $21,250 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $10,300.  About 8.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Transportation==

===Airports===
The [[Elim Airport]] is a state-owned airport with scheduled passenger flights. Also located in Elim is the [[Moses Point Airport]], which is privately owned by the [[Alaska Native Regional Corporations|Elim Native Corporation]].

==Education==
Elim is served by the [[Bering Strait School District]]. Aniguiin School serves grades Pre-K through 12.

==Boulder Creek uranium mine controversy==
In 2005, mining company Full Metal Minerals announced a partnership with Triex Minerals Corporation to develop a uranium deposit north of Elim.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=118366&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-Options-Boulder-Creek-Uranium-Property-to-Triex "Full Metal Options Boulder Creek Uranium Property to Triex"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711053957/http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=118366&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-Options-Boulder-Creek-Uranium-Property-to-Triex |date=July 11, 2011 }} September 28, 2005. Full Metal Minerals Press Release. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref> Development of the site began with survey and exploration work in Sept 2005.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=126716&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-and-Triex-Boulder-Creek-Uranium-Deposit-2006-Drill-Programs "Full Metal and Triex Boulder Creek Uranium Deposit - 2006 Drill Programs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711054017/http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=126716&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-and-Triex-Boulder-Creek-Uranium-Deposit-2006-Drill-Programs |date=July 11, 2011 }} January 16, 2006. Full Metal Minerals Press Release. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref> Initial drilling exploration was completed in July 2006,<ref>[http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=149679&_Type=News&_Title=Triex-and-Full-Metal-Continue-Uranium-Exploration-at-Boulder-Creek "Triex and Full Metal Continue Uranium Exploration at Boulder Creek"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711054026/http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=149679&_Type=News&_Title=Triex-and-Full-Metal-Continue-Uranium-Exploration-at-Boulder-Creek |date=July 11, 2011 }} September 7, 2006. Full Metal Minerals Press Release. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref><ref>[http://www.triexminerals.com/s/BoulderCreek.asp "Boulder Creek Project"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723100205/http://www.triexminerals.com/s/BoulderCreek.asp |date=July 23, 2008 }} Triex Minerals Corporation. Retrieved August 13, 2009</ref> confirming deposits of "sandstone-hosted uranium" at the Boulder Creek site in Death Valley, north of Elim.<ref>[http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=158471&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-and-Triex-Announce-Results-from-Drilling-and-Reconnaissance-Expl... "Full Metal and Triex Announce Results from Drilling and Reconnaissance Exploration, Boulder Creek Uranium Project, Alaska"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711054032/http://www.fullmetalminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=158471&_Type=News&_Title=Full-Metal-and-Triex-Announce-Results-from-Drilling-and-Reconnaissance-Expl... |date=July 11, 2011 }} November 16, 2006. Full Metal Minerals Press Release. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref>

The Boulder Creek mine site is located on part of the [[Tubutulik River]]. Serious water and air pollution risks, including radioactive byproducts, have been identified with "in-situ leeching", the type of uranium mining proposed for the site.<ref name="alaskaconservation.org">[http://alaskaconservation.org/_pages/story/rotating_lead_story3b-EF.php "ACF Partners Join Village to Stop Uranium Mine: Effects could be devastating"]{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} 2008. Alaska Conservation Foundation. Retrieved August 11, 2009.</ref> Villagers have raised concerns that radioactive by-products of uranium mining would adversely affect the plants, fish, and wildlife on which they rely.<ref>"Iditarod a stage for mining protest", March 13, 2008. Sandra L. Medearis. ''The Nome Nugget''</ref> In September 2007, Irene Murray of Aniguiin High School in Elim wrote an open letter to Alaska Gov. [[Sarah Palin]], drawing attention to projected impacts on the local environment and human health.<ref>[http://blog.bssd.org/2007/09/20/elim-uranium-mine-student-blog "Student Letter to Governor Palin"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305050958/http://blog.bssd.org/2007/09/20/elim-uranium-mine-student-blog/ |date=March 5, 2009 }} September 20, 2007. BSSD Strait Talk. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref> Protests led by Elim Students Against Uranium (ESAU)<ref>[http://www.indigogirls.com/activism/Elim%20Protest.pdf "Elim Students Against Uranium"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727065730/http://www.indigogirls.com/activism/Elim%20Protest.pdf |date=July 27, 2011 }} 2008-10. Indigenous Environmental Network. Retrieved August 11, 2009.</ref> have included demonstrations in 2008 and 2009 at the [[Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race]] ceremonial start, and on the Iditarod trail in Elim.<ref>[http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/news/1/8531-alaska-natives-protest-uranium-exploration-on-iditarod-trail.html "Alaska Natives protest uranium exploration on Iditarod Trail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214082333/http://atlanticfreepress.com/news/1/8531-alaska-natives-protest-uranium-exploration-on-iditarod-trail.html |date=December 14, 2010 }} March 14, 2009. ''Atlantic Free Press''. Retrieved 2009-08-11.</ref><ref>[http://www.wateradvocacy.org/id13.html "Uranium mine threatens subsistence fishery in Native village of Elim, Alaska"] Center for Water Advocacy. Retrieved August 11, 2009.</ref>

The village has raised legal concerns over the project that include an alleged failure by the federal [[Bureau of Land Management]] to provide adequate public notice and public comment periods regarding the Boulder Creek mine project.<ref>[http://www.wateradvocacy.org/id67.html "Native Village of Elim Alaska Fights Uranium Mine"] Center for Water Advocacy. Retrieved August 11, 2009.</ref> Portions of the regulatory process are under the purview of the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]].<ref name="alaskaconservation.org"/>

==References==
{{Wikivoyage|Elim}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Nome Census Area, Alaska}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alaska]]
[[Category:Cities in Nome Census Area, Alaska]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Alaska on the Pacific Ocean]]