Newtok, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Newtok is a village on the Ninglick River in western Alaska
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 321. Erosion is forcing the primarily Yupik
Alaska Native village to consider relocation. The town was featured in History Channel's Tougher in Alaska
, episode "Dangerous Earth". In 2007 the New York Times reported that erosion made Newtok an island between the widening Ninglick River and a slough to the north because Alaskan permafrost
is melting due to climate change
. According to the Times, because the village is below sea-level and sinking, the town could be washed away within a decade.
, the CDP has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (7.21%) is water.
Erosion of the tundra by the Ninglick River has destroyed much of the area of the village including the barge dock. Land has been acquired for a new townsite called Mertarvik on nearby Nelson Island
about nine miles away, and $1 million in government funding has been obtained to build a dock for delivering building supplies.
, 95.33% Native American
, and 1.56% from two or more races.
There were 63 households out of which 68.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.0% were non-families. 19.0% 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 5.10 and the average family size was 5.96.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 45.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 14.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 118.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,188, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $15,625 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $9,514. About 29.8% of families and 31.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
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...
, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 321. Erosion is forcing the primarily Yupik
Central Alaskan Yup'ik people
The Yup'ik people , are an Eskimo people of western and southwestern Alaska ranging from southern Norton Sound southwards along the coast of the Bering Sea on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta and along the northern coast of Bristol Bay as far east as Nushagak Bay and the northern Alaska...
Alaska Native village to consider relocation. The town was featured in History Channel's Tougher in Alaska
Tougher In Alaska
Tougher In Alaska was a program on the History Channel that was a part of the network's "American Original Series" lineup. Starring long-time Alaska resident Geo Beach, the program explored the dangerous and extraordinary efforts put forth by Alaskans to perform jobs and provide services in such a...
, episode "Dangerous Earth". In 2007 the New York Times reported that erosion made Newtok an island between the widening Ninglick River and a slough to the north because Alaskan permafrost
Permafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
is melting due to climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
. According to the Times, because the village is below sea-level and sinking, the town could be washed away within a decade.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), of which, 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (7.21%) is water.
Erosion of the tundra by the Ninglick River has destroyed much of the area of the village including the barge dock. Land has been acquired for a new townsite called Mertarvik on nearby Nelson Island
Nelson Island (Alaska)
Nelson Island is an island in the Bethel Census Area of southwestern Alaska. It is 42 miles long and 20–35 miles wide. With an area of 843 square miles , it is the 15th largest island in the United States...
about nine miles away, and $1 million in government funding has been obtained to build a dock for delivering building supplies.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 321 people, 63 households, and 51 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 313.1 people per square mile (120.3/km²). There were 67 housing units at an average density of 65.4/sq mi (25.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 3.12% WhiteRace (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...
, 95.33% 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 1.56% from two or more races.
There were 63 households out of which 68.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.5% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.0% were non-families. 19.0% 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 5.10 and the average family size was 5.96.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 45.2% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 14.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 21 years. For every 100 females there were 118.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.0 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $32,188, and the median income for a family was $32,188. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $15,625 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 $9,514. About 29.8% of families and 31.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.9% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.