Allakaket, Alaska

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

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map_caption = Location of Allakaket, Alaska
mapsize = 250px


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Alaska
subdivision_type2 = Census Area
subdivision_name2 = Yukon-Koyukuk
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
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area_magnitude =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 = 11.2
area_land_km2 = 9.3
area_water_km2 = 1.9
area_total_sq_mi = 4.3
area_land_sq_mi = 3.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.7

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 = 87

timezone = Alaska (AKST)
utc_offset = -9
timezone_DST = AKDT
utc_offset_DST = -8
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 122
elevation_ft = 400
latd = 66 |latm = 33 |lats = 48 |latNS = N
longd = 152 |longm = 38 |longs = 50 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code = 907
GNIS_id = 1398129
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 02-01860
blank1_name =
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website =
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Allakaket (al-uh-KACK-ut) is a 2nd Class City in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area of the Unorganized Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.

Geography and climate

Allakaket is located at coor dms|66|33|48|N|152|38|50|W|city (66.562610, -152.64756)GR|1 (Sec. 14, T020N, R024W, Fairbanks Meridian.) Allakaket is located in the Fairbanks Recording District.

Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 air miles northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles upriver from Hughes. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river.

The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low temperature during January is well below zero and extended periods of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40°C) are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 degrees Fahrenheit and the lowest was -75 degrees Fahrenheit. Average precipitation is 13 inches and annual snowfall is 72 inches. The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11.2 km²), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.9 km²) of it (17.05%) is water.

History and culture

Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos. The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming. Inundated 85% of the community in the Spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents rebuilt near the old City site, but some new homes and facilities are now located outside of the incorporated City boundaries. New Allakaket and Alatna are located outside of the City limits.

A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Allakaket Village. The population of the community consists of 95.9% Alaska Native or part Native. Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Traditional potlatches, dances and foot races attract visitors from area villages. Subsistence activities provide the majority of food sources. Sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 97 people, 41 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 27.0 people per square mile (10.4/km²). There were 59 housing units at an average density of 16.4/sq mi (6.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 4.12% White, and 95.88% Native American.

There were 41 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.7% were non-families. 53.7% 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 2.37 and the average family size was 3.68.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 142.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 155.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,563, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $13,750 versus $35,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,912. There were 11.8% of families and 12.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Public services

Most public facilities were severely damaged in the 1994 Koyukuk River flood. Major components have been replaced -- a new washeteria, well and treatment plant, 100,000-gal. water storage tank, sewage lagoon, and force main have recently been completed. The lagoon is connected to the washeteria and school. Residents carry treated water and haul honeybuckets or use pit privies; no households have plumbing. Infrastructure improvements to provide a flush/haul system are continuing. A new landfill and access road are also under construction. Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company. There is one school located in the community, attended by 52 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Allakaket Health Clinic (907-968-2248). Allakaket Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Allakaket is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide

Economy and transportation

Most cash jobs are part-time or seasonal. The primary year-round employers are the school, City, Tribe and village corporation store. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting provide summer jobs. A few earn income from trapping or selling traditional Native handicrafts. Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available.

Allakaket has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important in summer, but there is no commercial barge access due to shallow water. The state-owned Allakaket Airport has a 4,000' long by 100' wide gravel runway and is accessible year-round. A $6 million airport improvement began construction in 1997. Arctic Circle Air Service, Frontier Flying Service, Larry's Flying Service, Servant Air, Tanana Air Service, Warbelow's Air Ventures, and Wright Air Service offer passenger flight service.

Taxes

Sales: None, Property: None, Special: None

References

External links