Alatna, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Alatna is a census-designated place
(CDP) in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
of the Unorganized Borough
in the U.S. state
of Alaska
. The population was 35 at the 2000 census
.
Alatna is on the north bank of the Koyukuk River
, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River
, approximately 190 miles (305.8 km) northwest of Fairbanks
and 57 miles (91.7 km) upriver from Hughes
. Alatna lies just west of the municipal boundaries of the City of Allakaket
.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F (21 °C). The average low during January is well below 0 °F (-18 °C), and extended periods of -40 °F/C are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34 °C); the lowest, -75 °F (-59 °C). Average annual precipitation is 13 inches (33 cm) and average annual snowfall is 72 inches (183 cm). The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.5 km²), all of it land.
s 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 have rebuilt near the old City site, but Alatna is no longer within the incorporated City boundaries.
A federally-recognized tribe is in the community—the Alatna Village. The population of the community consists of 97.1% Alaska Native or part Native. The Alatna population consists largely of descendants of Kobuk Eskimos; Athabascans predominantly live in Allakaket. Subsistence activities are prevalent.
of 2000, there were 35 people, 12 households, and 6 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1.0 people per square mile (0.4/km²). There were 17 housing units at an average density of 0.5/sq mi (0.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.86% White
, 94.29% Native American
, and 2.86% from two or more races.
There were 12 households out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 16.7% were married couples
living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 37.1% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,313, and the median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $14,109. There were no families and 9.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Alatna has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important during the summer. A state-owned 3,500' lighted runway is accessible year-round in Allakaket. There is no barge service due to shallow water.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is a census area located in the state of Alaska, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 5,588. It is part of the unorganized borough and therefore has no borough seat...
of the Unorganized Borough
Unorganized Borough
The Unorganized Borough is the part of the U.S. state of Alaska not contained in any of its 18 organized boroughs. It encompasses more than half of Alaska's area, , an area larger than any other US state...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. The population was 35 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Geography
Alatna is located at 66°34′01"N 152°39′59"W (66.548906, -152.844806) (Sec. 33, T021N, R024W, Fairbanks Meridian) in the Fairbanks Recording District.Alatna is on the north bank of the Koyukuk River
Koyukuk River
The Koyukuk River is a principal tributary of the Yukon River, approximately 500 mi long, in northern Alaska in the United States.It drains an area north of the Yukon on the southern side of the Brooks Range...
, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River
Alatna River
The Alatna River is a federally-designated wild and scenic river partially contained within the boundaries of Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. It is called one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States...
, approximately 190 miles (305.8 km) northwest of Fairbanks
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
and 57 miles (91.7 km) upriver from Hughes
Hughes, Alaska
Hughes is a city in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 78 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
. Alatna lies just west of the municipal boundaries of the City of Allakaket
Allakaket, Alaska
Allakaket 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:...
.
The area experiences a cold, continental climate with extreme temperature differences. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F (21 °C). The average low during January is well below 0 °F (-18 °C), and extended periods of -40 °F/C are common. The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34 °C); the lowest, -75 °F (-59 °C). Average annual precipitation is 13 inches (33 cm) and average annual snowfall is 72 inches (183 cm). The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.5 km²), all of it land.
History and culture
Several Alaska Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut EskimoEskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
s 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 have rebuilt near the old City site, but Alatna is no longer within the incorporated City boundaries.
A federally-recognized tribe is in the community—the Alatna Village. The population of the community consists of 97.1% Alaska Native or part Native. The Alatna population consists largely of descendants of Kobuk Eskimos; Athabascans predominantly live in Allakaket. Subsistence activities are prevalent.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 35 people, 12 households, and 6 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1.0 people per square mile (0.4/km²). There were 17 housing units at an average density of 0.5/sq mi (0.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 2.86% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 94.29% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.86% from two or more races.
There were 12 households out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 16.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 25.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 37.1% under the age of 18, 11.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $20,313, and the median income for a family was $52,500. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $16,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $14,109. There were no families and 9.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Public services
Alatna residents haul water and use honeybuckets or outhouses. None of the 12 occupied homes have plumbing. Major improvements are underway. A new water source, water treatment plant, washeteria and sewage lagoon have been built. There is an electrical intertie with Allakaket. Residents use the Allakaket clinic, washeteria, landfill and school. Electricity is provided by Alaska Power & Telephone. There are no state operated schools in the community. Local hospitals or health clinics include Alatna Clinic (907-968-2314). Alatna Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility.Economy and transportation
The economy is seasonal and subsistence-based. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available. A few earn income from trapping or traditional Native handicrafts. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting also provide summer jobs.Alatna has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important during the summer. A state-owned 3,500' lighted runway is accessible year-round in Allakaket. There is no barge service due to shallow water.