Akutan, Alaska

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Akutan (ACK-oo-tan) is a 2nd Class City in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 713. A State of Alaska Demographer in 2004 estimates the population at 771.

1 Location and Climate
2 History, Culture and Demographics
3 Economy and Transportation
4 Regional Organizations
5 External links and references

[edit] Location and Climate

Akutan is located at 54.135560° North, -165.77306° West (Sec. 11, T070S, R112W, Seward Meridian)^GR1. Akutan is located in the Aleutian Islands Recording District.

Akutan is located on Akutan Island in the eastern Aleutians, one of the Krenitzin Islands of the Fox Island group. It is 35 miles east of Unalaska, and 766 air miles southwest of Anchorage. Akutan lies in the maritime climate zone, with mild winters and cool summers. Mean temperatures range from 22 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation averages 28 inches per year. High winds and storms are frequent in the winter, and fog is common in the summer.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 48.9 km² (18.9 mi²). 36.3 km² (14.0 mi²) of it is land and 12.6 km² (4.9 mi²) of it (25.69%) is water.

[edit] History, Culture and Demographics

Akutan began in 1878 as a fur storage and trading port for the Western Fur & Trading Company. The company's agent established a commercial cod fishing and processing business that quickly attracted nearby Unangan to the community. A Russian Orthodox church and a school were built in 1878. Alexander Nevsky Chapel was built in 1918 to replace the original structure. The Pacific Whaling Company built a whale processing station across the bay from Akutan in 1912. It was the only whaling station in the Aleutians, and operated until 1939. After the Japanese attacked Unalaska in June 1942, the U.S. government evacuated Akutan residents to the Ketchikan area. The village was re-established in 1944, although many villagers chose not to return. This exposure to the outside world brought many changes to the traditional lifestyle and attitudes of the community. The City was incorporated in 1979. A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Akutan. The population of the community consists of 16.4% Alaska Native or part Native. Akutan is a fishing community, and is the site of a traditional Unangan village. Approximately 75 persons are year-round residents; the majority of the population are transient fish processing workers that live in group quarters. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 38, and vacant housing units numbered 4. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 97 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 83.89 percent, although 84.84 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $33,750, per capita income was $12,259, and 45.48 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 713 people, (most of whom were employed by the fish processing plant on the island) 34 households, and 17 families residing in the city. The population density was 19.6/km² (50.8/mi²). There were 38 housing units (and several "bunkhouses" for housing the seasonal workers) at an average density of 1.0/km² (2.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 23.56% White, 2.10% Black or African American, 15.71% Native American, 38.57% Asian, 0.28% Pacific Islander, 18.23% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 20.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. These figures are somewhat misrepresentative of the native population because the census included transient workers from multinational origins, workers with visas, and people who claim another address as their primary address.

There were 34 households out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.1% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 3.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 48.2% from 25 to 44, 36.2% from 45 to 64, and 1.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 334.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 342.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $13,988 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,258. None of the families and 45.5% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 40.0% of those over 64. Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care

Water is supplied by a local stream and dam, originally constructed in 1927. Water is treated and piped into all homes. Funds have been requested to develop two new water catchment dams, and construct a new 125,000-gal. water storage tank and treatment plant. Sewage is piped to a community septic tank, with effluent discharge through an ocean outfall. Refuse is collected three times a week; a new landfill site and incinerator were recently completed. The City recycles aluminum. Trident Seafoods operates its own water, sewer and electric facilities. Electricity is provided by Akutan Electric Utility. There is one school located in the community, attended by 18 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic (907-698-2208). Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Akutan is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide There is a nurse practitioner at the Anesia Kudrin clinic, and for much of the year there a physician assistant at the processing plant's occupational medicine/urgent care clinic. Auxiliary health care is provided by Akutan First Responders (907-698-2208/2315); flight to Unalaska or Anchorage.

Transportation is provided by Seaplane, and the State Ferry makes visits in summer weather.

Grumman Goose G21 Pen Air at Akutan AK

[edit] Economy and Transportation

Commercial fish processing dominates Akutan's cash-based economy, and many locals are seasonally employed. Trident Seafoods operates a large processing plant west of the City for cod, crab, pollock and fish meal. The population of Akutan can quadruple or quintuple during processing months. Seven residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for halibut and other groundfish. Subsistence foods include seal, salmon, herring, halibut, clams, wild cattle, and game birds.

Boats and amphibious aircraft, or helicopter are the only means of transportation into and out of Akutan. A 200 ft. dock and a small boat mooring basin are available. Plans are underway to develop a large boat harbor; construction will begin in 2004. The State Ferry operates from Kodiak bi-monthly between May and October. Cargo is delivered weekly by freighter from Seattle; the City owns and operates a landing craft, the M/V Akutan. Akutan has no airstrip due to the steep terrain, however, a seaplane base is available and open to the public. Daily air service is provided from nearby Unalaska. High waves may limit accessibility during winter months. Survey work has begun with the ultimate goal being the building of an airport at Akutan. This work is being promoted by the local residents and will benefit the community and business.

Taxes: Sales: None, Property: None, Special: 1% Raw Fish Tax (City); 2% Raw Fish Tax (Borough)

[edit] Regional Organizations

City - City of Akutan
P.O. Box 109
Akutan, AK 99553
Phone 907-698-2228
Fax 907-698-2202
E-mail akutan@gci.net; erikat@gci.net

Village Corporation - Akutan Corporation
P.O. Box 8
Akutan, AK 99553
Phone 907-698-2206
Fax 907-698-2207

Village Council - Native Village of Akutan
P.O. Box 89
Akutan, AK 99553-0089
Phone 907-698-2300
Fax 907-698-2301

Borough - Aleutians East Borough
3380 C Street, Suite 205
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-274-7555
Fax 907-276-7569
E-mail developmentdirector@aleutianseast.org, admin@aleutianseast.org
http://www.aleutianseast.org

Regional Native Corporation - Aleut Corporation
4000 Old Seward Hwy., Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-561-4300
Fax 907-563-4328
E-mail info@aleutcorp.com
http://www.aleutcorp.com

Regional Native Health Corporation - Eastern Aleutian Tribe
3380 C Street, Suite 100
Anchorage, AK 99503-3949
Phone 907-277-1440
Fax 907-277-1446
E-mail lcdevlin@gci.net
http://easternaleutiantribes.org

Native Housing Authority - Aleutian Housing Authority
4000 Old Seward Hwy. #202
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-2146
Fax 907-563-3105
E-mail jacques@aleutian-housing.com

Regional Development - Southwest Alaska Muni. Conf.
3300 Arctic Blvd. #203
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-562-7380
Fax 907-562-0438
E-mail wayers@swamc.org
http://www.southwestalaska.com

CDQ Group - Aleutian/Pribilof Island Comm. Dev. Assoc.
234 Gold Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1211
Phone 907-586-0161
Fax 907-586-0165
E-mail LCotter371@aol.com
http://www.apicda.com