Akhiok, Alaska

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Akhiok, Alaska
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Akhiok, Alaska


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Alaska
subdivision_type2 = Borough
subdivision_name2 = Kodiak Island
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
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established_title =
established_date =

area_magnitude =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 26.9
area_land_km2 = 20.6
area_water_km2 = 6.4
area_total_sq_mi = 10.4
area_land_sq_mi = 7.9
area_water_sq_mi = 2.5

population_as_of = 2007
population_footnotes =cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/popest/cities/tables/SUB-EST2007-04-02.csv|title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Incorporated Places in Alaska|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=2008-07-10|accessdate=2008-07-14]
population_total = 73

timezone = Alaska (AKST)
utc_offset = -9
timezone_DST = AKDT
utc_offset_DST = -8
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 9
elevation_ft = 30
latd = 56 |latm = 56 |lats = 40 |latNS = N
longd = 154 |longm = 10 |longs = 13 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 907
GNIS_id = 1398007
GNIS_id = 1398007
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 02-00650
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Akhiok is a 2nd class city in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, United States. Akhiok is Kodiak's southernmost village. The population was 80 at the 2000 census. Akhiok, which does not have a post office, is a rural location in postal code 99615 which belongs to Kodiak. The village is sometimes called Alitak, after a nearby bay.

Location and Climate

Akhiok is located at 56.945560° North, 154.17028° West (Sec. 28, T037S, R031W, Seward Meridian)GR|1. Akhiok is in the Kodiak Recording District, and the 3rd Judicial District.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), of which, 7.9 square miles (20.5 km²) of it is land and 2.5 square miles (6.4 km²) of it (23.65%) is water.

Akhiok is located at the southern end of Kodiak Island at Alitak Bay. It lies convert|80|mi|km southwest of the City of Kodiak, and convert|340|mi|km southwest of Anchorage. The area encompasses 7.9 sq. miles of land and 2.5 sq. miles of water.

The climate of the Kodiak Islands is dominated by a strong marine influence. There is little or no freezing weather, moderate precipitation, and frequent cloud cover and fog. Severe storms are common from December through February. Annual precipitation is convert|35|in|mm. Temperatures remain within a narrow range, from 25 to convert|54|°F|°C.

History and culture

Akhiok is an Alutiiq village dependent upon fishing and subsistence activities. The original village of Kashukugniut was occupied by Russians in the early 19th century. The community was originally a sea otter hunting settlement, located at Humpy Cove. The name Akhiok was reported in the 1880 Census. In 1881, residents relocated to the present site at Alitak Bay. The relocation was, in part, based on the switch to a fishing economy. Most families gain their livelihood from fishing, either directly by fishing for salmon and halibut or by working in a near-by cannery. The community's Russian Orthodox church, Protection of the Theotokos Chapel, was built around 1900 at the site of an earlier structure. A post office was established in 1933. Residents of nearby Kaguyak relocated to Akhiok after the 1964 earthquake and tsunami destroyed their village. The City was incorporated in 1972.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 80 people, 25 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was 10.1 people per square mile (3.9/km²). There were 34 housing units at an average density of 4.3/sq mi (1.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 2.50% White, 86.25% Native American, 3.75% Asian, and 7.50% from two or more races. 1.25% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25 households out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 20.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.20 and the average family size was 3.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 122.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,438, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $25,417 versus $6,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $8,473. There were 5.3% of families and 9.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Public services

Water is derived from a dam and reservoir on a small stream, is treated and stored. Akhiok provides a piped gravity water and sewer system that serves all 25 homes in the community. The community is currently boiling its drinking water -- a new water source is needed. A new landfill site is under development. Electricity is provided by City of Akhiok. There is one school in the community, attended by 16 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Akhiok Medical Clinic (907-836-2230). Akhiok Medical Clinic is a Primary Health Care Facility. Akhiok is classified as an isolated village. It is found in EMS Region 2G in the Kodiak Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide. Auxiliary health care is provided by Akhiok Village Response Team (Clinic 907-836-2230); flight to Kodiak or Anchorage.

Economy and transportation

Public sector employment and seasonal work provide cash flow in the community. Five residents hold commercial fishing permits. Almost all of Akhiok's residents depend heavily on subsistence fishing and hunting. Salmon, crab, shrimp, clams, ducks, seal, deer, rabbit and bear are utilized. The community is interested in developing a fish smokery and cold storage facility. Since January 2003, each Akhiok shareholder received $200,000 from sales of a $36 million trust fund provided in the Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement.

The city is accessible only by air and water. Island Air Service offers regular passenger service. In addition, Regular and charter flights are available from the City of Kodiak. There is a State-owned gravel runway (Akhiok Airport; AKK) 3,320' in long by 60' wide, and a seaplane base at Moser Bay, owned by Columbia Ward Fisheries. Barge services are sporadic. A breakwater and boat launch are available, but the existing dock is a temporary structure.

Taxes: Sales: None, Property: 9.25 mills (Borough), Special: 5% Accommodations Tax (Borough); 0.925% Severance Tax (Borough)

Additional Akhiok information

The members of the community are used as an example in the book: "Elementary Statistics for College Students" (6th Edition, 2004) by Allen R. Angel. The information includes photographs of some residents.

References

External links

* [http://www.alaskaonline.org/travelplanner/kodiak/akhiok.php Community information]
* [http://www.kodiak.org/akhiok.html Akhiok/Kodiak Island]
* [http://www.kodiak.org/gallery/akhiok/index.htm Photographs of the community ]
* [http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CIS.cfm?Comm_Boro_Name=Akhiok State of Alaska, Division of Community Advocacy, Community Information Summary]
* [http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/photos/comm_photos.cfm?comm=Akhiok Community Photos]