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Atqasuk
(AT-kuh-suck); alt. Atkasook
For Photos of Atqasuk click here
For a Map of Atqasuk click here
| Current Population: |
219
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
North Slope Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: 18.5 mills (Borough), Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
North Slope Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Atqasuk is located on the Meade River, 60 miles south of Barrow. The community
lies at approximately 70.469440° North Latitude
and -157.395830° West Longitude.
(Sec. 19, T013N, R021W, Umiat Meridian.)
Atqasuk is located in the
Barrow Recording District.
The area encompasses 38.9
sq. miles of land and 3.5 sq. miles
of water.
The climate is arctic. The daily minimum temperature drops below freezing 300 days a year. Temperature extremes range from a low of -56 to a high of 78 °F. Precipitation is light, at 5 inches per year. Snowfall averages 22 inches per year. |
Topographic
map of
Atqasuk
area
 |
| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The area has traditionally been hunted and fished by Inupiat Eskimos. The name means "the place to dig the rock that burns." During World War II, bituminous coal was mined in Atqasuk and freighted to Barrow for use by government and private facilities. The village had a post office from 1951 to 1957 under the name Meade River. There were no people in Atqasuk in 1970, but the community was re-established around 1977, primarily by former residents of Barrow. The city was incorporated in 1982.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Atqasuk Village (Atkasook).
The population of the community consists of 94.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
It is a traditional Inupiat Eskimo village. Subsistence activities are important to the lifestyle. Sale, importation, and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 60, and vacant housing units numbered 5.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 66 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
5.71 percent,
although
45.45 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $66,607, per capita income was $14,732, and
15.58 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| The North Slope Borough provides the water, sewer, refuse, washeteria, landfill, and other public services. Water is obtained from Imakruak Lake, treated, and available at a watering point. Delivery to household water tanks is available. Most homes have tanks that provide running water for the kitchen. The majority of homes and facilities and the school have running water and flush system.
Electricity is provided by North Slope Borough.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 76
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Atqasuk Health Clinic (907-633-6711).
Atqasuk Health Clinic is a Primary health care facility. Atqasuk is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 6A in the North Slope Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone Service, volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Atqasuk Volunteer Fire Dept. (907-633-6814).
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Education and other government services provide the majority of full-time employment in Atqasuk. Subsistence activities provide food sources. Grayling, white fish, caribou, geese, ptarmigan, polar bear, seal, walrus, and whale are harvested and traded. Residents trap and sell furs to supplement cash income. One resident holds a commercial fishing permit.
Air travel provides the only year-round access, while land transportation provides seasonal access. The North Slope Borough owns and operates the Edward Burnell Sr. Memorial Airport, which has a 4,370' long by 110' wide gravel runway. "Cat-trains" are sometimes used to transport freight overland from Barrow during winter months. Snowmachines, ATVs, and boats are used for local transportation. The city is interested in constructing a docking facility. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Atqasuk
P.O. Box 91119
Atqasuk, AK 99791
Phone 907-633-6811
Fax 907-633-6812
E-mail citofatqasuk@hotmail.com
Village Corporation -
Atqasuk Corporation
Tikiglyk & Akpik St
Atqasuk, AK 99791
Phone 907-633-6414
Fax 907-633-6213
E-mail atqasukcor@aol.com
Village Council -
Atqasuk Village
P.O. Box 91108
Atqasuk, AK 99791
Phone 907-633-2575
Fax 907-633-2576
E-mail aiken@astacalaska.net
Regional
Organizations
Borough - North Slope Borough
P.O. Box 69
Barrow, AK 99723
Phone 907-852-2611
Fax 907-852-0337
E-mail sheila.burke@north-slope.org; jeannie.brower@north-slope.org
Web http://www.north-slope.org/
Native Housing Authority - Tagiugmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority
P.O. Box 409
Barrow, AK 99723
Phone 907-852-7160
Fax 907-852-2038
E-mail daryl.kooley@tnha.net
Web http://www.tnha.info
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