Aleutians East Borough, Alaska
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| Aleutians East Borough, Alaska | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Alaska |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | 2 June 1986 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Sand Point |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
38,880 km² (15,012 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 20,781 km² (8,023 mi²), 53.45% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
2,697 >1/km² |
| Website: www.aleutianseast.org | |
Aleutians East Borough (IPA pronunciation: [ə'luʃəns]) is a 2nd class borough located in the U.S. state of Alaska. The borough seat is Sand Point. As of the 2000 census the borough had a population of 2,697. A State of Alaska demographer estimated the population at 2,629 in 2004.
Contents |
[edit] Location and Climate
Aleutians East Borough is located at 57° north latitude and -162° west longitude. It comprises the westernmost portion of the Alaska Peninsula, and a number of the Aleutian Islands, from which the borough name derives. Also included are the Shumagin Islands, as well as the Pavlof Islands and the Sanak Islands. In all, about 63.9 percent of its land area is comprised of land on the Alaska Peninsula, while 36.1 percent is on the numerous islands. There are five incorporated cities and two unincorporated villages within the borough.
Temperatures range from -9 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 33 inches and annual snowfall is 52 inches.
The borough has a total area of 38,880 km² (15,012 mi²). 18,099 km² (6,988 mi²) of it is land and 20,781 km² (8,023 mi²) of it (53.45%) is water.
[edit] History, Culture and Demographics
According to archaeological evidence, the area has been inhabited by the Unanga since the last ice age. Early contact was with Russian fur traders who sought sea otters in these islands. Whaling, fishing and cannery operations brought an influx of Scandinavian and European fishermen in the early 1900s. During World War II, the area was a strategic military site for the Aleutian Campaign, and many locals were evacuated to Ketchikan.
The population of the community consists of 38.6% Alaska Native or part Native. The area's rich resources have cultivated an extremely diverse population of non-Natives, Natives and Asians. The Unanga were called "Aleut" by Russian traders. "Unangas" speak the western dialect, and "Unangan" speak the eastern dialect. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 724, and vacant housing units numbered 198. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 80. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 1,086 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 41.42 percent, although 53.53 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $47,875, per capita income was $18,421, and 21.83 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 2,697 people, 526 households, and 344 families residing in the borough. The population density was 0/km² (0/mi²). There were 724 housing units at an average density of 0/km² (0/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 23.95% White, 1.67% Black or African American, 37.26% Native American, 26.51% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 7.38% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. 12.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 526 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.10% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.30.
In the borough the population was spread out with 16.80% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 42.30% from 25 to 44, 28.10% from 45 to 64, and 2.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 184.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 207.70 males.
[edit] Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
This information is available on a community basis. Communities located within the borough include: Akutan, Belkofski, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Nelson Lagoon, Pauloff Harbor, Sand Point, and Unga. There are 7 schools located in the borough, attended by 273 students. The Sand Point Clinic is managed by Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Inc. and inhabited a new facility in 2006. The clinic is staffed by mid-level professionals and Community Health Aide/Practitioners or CHAs. The CHA role is unique to Alaska and Native Health Care.
[edit] Economy and Transportation
The borough's economy is cash-based. Commercial fishing and fish processing dominate and occur almost year-round. 222 borough residents hold commercial fishing permits. Sand Point is home to the largest fishing fleet in the Aleutian Chain. Salmon and pacific cod processing occur at Peter Pan Seafoods (Port Moller and King Cove), Trident Seafoods (Sand Point and Akutan), and Bering Pacific (False Pass). The Peter Pan cannery in King Cove is one of the largest operations under one roof in Alaska. Transportation and other services provide year-round employment.
Several airports are accessible in the Borough, and float planes can land in many communities. Marine cargo vessels also provide transportation. The State Ferry operates during the summer months. Local transportation is primarily by fishing boats or skiffs, since there are no roads.
Taxes: Sales: None, Property: None, Special: 2% Raw Fish Tax
[edit] Cities and towns
[edit] Adjacent boroughs and census areas
- Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska to the east
- Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska to the west
[edit] References
- Alaska Division of Community Advocacy - Community Information Summary
- Alaska Division of Community Advocacy - Community Photos
 |
State of Alaska Juneau (capital) |
|---|---|
| Regions |
Aleutian Islands | Arctic Alaska | Bush Alaska | Interior | Kenai Peninsula | Mat-Su Valley | North Slope | Panhandle | Seward Peninsula | Southcentral | Southwest | Tanana Valley | Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta |
| Largest cities |
Anchorage | Barrow | Bethel | Fairbanks | Homer | Juneau | Kenai | Ketchikan | Kodiak | Kotzebue | Nome | Palmer | Petersburg | Seward | Sitka | Unalaska | Valdez | Wasilla |
| Boroughs |
Aleutians East | Anchorage | Bristol Bay | Denali | Fairbanks North Star | Haines | Juneau | Kenai Peninsula | Ketchikan Gateway | Kodiak Island | Lake and Peninsula | Matanuska-Susitna | North Slope | Northwest Arctic | Sitka | Yakutat |
| Census areas |
Aleutians West | Bethel | Dillingham | Nome | Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan | Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon | Southeast Fairbanks | Valdez-Cordova | Wade Hampton | Wrangell-Petersburg | Yukon-Koyukuk | (see also) Unorganized Borough |
