Unalakleet, Alaska

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

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image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Unalakleet, Alaska


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Alaska
subdivision_type2 = Census Area
subdivision_name2 = Nome
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 13.3
area_land_km2 = 7.4
area_water_km2 = 5.9
area_total_sq_mi = 5.1
area_land_sq_mi = 2.9
area_water_sq_mi = 2.3

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 = 752
population_density_km2 = 100.6
population_density_sq_mi = 260.5

timezone = Alaska (AKST)
utc_offset = -9
timezone_DST = AKDT
utc_offset_DST = -8
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 2
elevation_ft = 7
latd = 63 |latm = 52 |lats = 44 |latNS = N
longd = 160 |longm = 47 |longs = 23 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 907
GNIS_id = 1411517
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 02-80660
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Unalakleet is a large village in Western Alaska, along the Norton Sound. Its Census Area is Nome Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 747. Unalakleet is known in the region and around Alaska for its salmon and king crab harvests; the residents rely heavily on caribou, ptarmigan, oogruk and various salmon species. Unalakleet is also known for its aesthetic value, as it resides right next to the Bering Sea, immediately next to a large, clean river (Unalakleet River) and has trees, tundra and hills behind it. As a result of its renowned fishing and beauty, it is a place where Alaskans and tourists visit frequently.

Geography

Unalakleet is located at coor dms|63|52|44|N|160|47|23|W|city (63.878907, -160.789680)GR|1.

Unalakleet is located on the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea at the mouth of the Unalakleet River, 238 km (148 miles) southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of Anchorage. Unalakleet has a subarctic climate with considerable maritime influences. Winters are cold and dry. Average summer temperatures range 47 to 62; winter temperatures range from -4 to 11. Precipitation averages 14 inches annually, with 41 inches of snow.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.3 km²), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.4 km²) of it is land and 2.3 square miles (5.9 km²) of it (44.25%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 747 people, 224 households, and 174 families residing in the city. The population density was 260.5 people per square mile (100.5/km²). There were 242 housing units at an average density of 84.4/sq mi (32.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 11.91% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 85.27% Native American, and 2.54% from two or more races. 0.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 224 households out of which 46.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 21.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.33 and the average family size was 3.82.

The population is spread out with 37.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 114.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $45,625. Males had a median income of $41,964 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,845. About 12.5% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

History

"Unalakleet," an adaptation of the Iñupiaq word "Una-la-thliq"(pronounced "You-na-la-thliq") in Inupiaq [http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/commdb/CF_CIS.htm Community Information Summaries: "Unalakleet."] Alaska Community Database Online, Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. Retrieved on 2007-04-13.] , which means "where the south wind blows". Some Unalakleet residents mistakenly were told it meant "where the east wind blows".

Unalakleet is located at the Norton Sound end of the Unalakleet-Kaltag Portage, an important winter travel route between Norton Sound and the Yukon River. Unalakleet has long been a major trade center between the Athabascans who lived in the interior of Alaska and the Inupiat who lived on the coast. The Russian-American Company built a trading post here at Unalakleet in the 1830s. Reindeer herders from Lapland were brought to Unalakleet to teach sound herding practices in 1898. In 1901, the United States Army Signal Corps built a 975 km (605 mile) telegraph line from St. Michael that passed through Unalakleet.

Mushing influence

Unalakleet is the first checkpoint on the Norton Sound in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race 851 miles from the start in Anchorage. The first musher to reach this checkpoint each year is awarded the Gold Coast Award, which includes $2,500 in gold nuggets. Unalakleet also plays an important role in the "Iron Dog" snowmobile race.

Education

The Swedish Covenant Church established a mission in Unalakleet in 1887. The Evangelical Covenant Church later started a boarding high school in 1954. It served students from all over western Alaska until it closed in 1985 due to the changing face of education in the villages of Alaska with the addition of local high schools in all villages.

The district office for Bering Strait School District has been located in Unalakleet since 1983. Serving fifteen village schools, the Bering Strait School District covers approximately 75,000 square miles.

Unalakleet's local schools include Unalakleet School, a K-12 school that is internally divided into Unalakleet Elementary, Unalakleet Middle School, and Frank A. Degnan High School. The combined school population of Unalakleet Schools is 195, 180 of whom are full or part Alaska Native.

Unalakleet basketball teams have won 6 State titles (3 by Covenant HIgh and 3 by Frank A. Degnan High). Athletics played at the school include XC running, Wrestling, Mixed-6 Volleyball, XC Ski/Biathlon, Basketball and Native Youth Olympics.

Unalakleet schools has a Gifted & Talented program. The school's students also participate in Academic Decathlon, Battle of the Books, as well as other academic programs.

Transportation

Unalakleet is a central hub for outlying villages, providing air cargo and air taxi services and a link to Anchorage. It is served by daily twin turbo-prop airline service to Anchorage by PenAir and Hageland Aviation, as well as daily flights to Nome and outlying villages by Bering Air, Hageland Aviation and Alaska Transportation Service (freight only).

Unalakleet also has a seafood processing plant for Norton Sound-area fishermen.

Unalakleet has an Alaska State Troopers station.

References

External links

*Unalakleet River Lodge :: http://www.unalakleet.com
* [http://library.state.ak.us/asp/edocs/2007/04/ocn123495361.pdf Subsistence wildlife harvests in five northwest Alaska communities, 2001-2003 : results of a household survey / by Kawerak, Inc., Maniilaq Association, and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game ; by Susan Georgette ... [et al.] .] Hosted by [http://library.state.ak.us/asp Alaska State Publications Program] .