Tyonek, Alaska
Encyclopedia
Tyonek is a census-designated place
(CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough
in the U.S. state of Alaska
. As of the 2000 census
the population was 193. In 1973, Tyonek formed Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) under ANCSA and is federally recognized.
in 1778. A smallpox
epidemic in the late 1830s killed about half the population. Tyonek became a major port during the Resurrection Creek gold rush
of the 1880s, but declined after the founding of Anchorage
on the other side of Cook Inlet
in 1915. Tyonek was moved to its current site when the original village, located on lower ground, flooded in the 1930s.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 68.8 square miles (178.2 km²), of which, 67.6 square miles (175.1 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (1.73%) is water.
and 95.34% Native American
. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 66 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.3% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% 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 3.42.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 37.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 124.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,667, and the median income for a family was $29,792. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $26,250 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $11,261. About 2.1% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty five or over.
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 Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
-National protected areas:* Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge ** Chiswell Islands** Tuxedni Wilderness* Chugach National Forest * Katmai National Park and Preserve ** Katmai Wilderness...
in the U.S. state 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...
. As of 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...
the population was 193. In 1973, Tyonek formed Tyonek Native Corporation (TNC) under ANCSA and is federally recognized.
History
A Dena'ina Alaska Native village at Tyonek was noted by the explorer James CookJames Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
in 1778. A smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic in the late 1830s killed about half the population. Tyonek became a major port during the Resurrection Creek gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
of the 1880s, but declined after the founding of Anchorage
Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage is a unified home rule municipality in the southcentral part of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the northernmost major city in the United States...
on the other side of Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet
Cook Inlet stretches from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage in south-central Alaska. Cook Inlet branches into the Knik Arm and Turnagain Arm at its northern end, almost surrounding Anchorage....
in 1915. Tyonek was moved to its current site when the original village, located on lower ground, flooded in the 1930s.
Geography
Tyonek is located at 61°3′38"N 151°13′51"W (61.060470, -151.230697).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 68.8 square miles (178.2 km²), of which, 67.6 square miles (175.1 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (1.73%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 193 people, 66 households, and 45 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2.9 people per square mile (1.1/km²). There were 134 housing units at an average density of 2.0/sq mi (0.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 4.66% 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...
and 95.34% 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...
. 2.59% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 66 households out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.3% were married couples living together, 22.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% 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 3.42.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 37.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 33.7% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 124.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,667, and the median income for a family was $29,792. Males had a median income of $26,250 versus $26,250 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 $11,261. About 2.1% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen or sixty five or over.