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Elim
(EE-lim)
For Photos of Elim click here
For a Map of Elim click here
| Current Population: |
297
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 3%,
Property: None, Special: None
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| Coastal Management District: |
Bering Straits CRSA |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Elim is located on the northwest shore of Norton Bay on the Seward Peninsula, 96 miles east of Nome. It lies 460 miles northwest of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 64.617500° North Latitude
and -162.260560° West Longitude.
(Sec. 15, T010S, R018W, Kateel River Meridian.)
Elim is located in the
Cape Nome Recording District.
The area encompasses 2.4
sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles
of water.
Elim has a subarctic climate with maritime influences. Norton Sound is ice-free generally between mid-June and mid-November. Summers are cool and moist; winters are cold and dry. Summer temperatures average between 46 to 62 °F; winter temperatures average -8 to 8 °F. Annual precipitation is 19 inches, with about 80 inches of snow. |
Topographic
map of
Elim
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| This settlement was formerly the Malemiut Inupiat Eskimo village of Nuviakchak. The Native culture was well-developed and well-adapted to the environment. Each tribe possessed a well-defined subsistence harvest territory. The area became a federal reindeer reserve in 1911. In 1914, Rev. L.E. Ost founded a Covenant mission and school, called Elim Mission Roadhouse. The city was incorporated in 1970. When the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed in 1971, Elim decided not to participate and instead opted for title to the 298,000 acres of land in the former Elim Reserve. The Iditarod Sled Dog Race passes through Elim each year.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Elim.
The population of the community consists of 94.9%
Alaska Native or part Native.
It is an Inupiat Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 106, and vacant housing units numbered 22.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 7.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 91 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
26.02 percent,
although
59.01 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $40,179, per capita income was $10,300, and
7.87 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a well and is treated. BIA and HUD housing and water and sewer systems built by PHS in 1974 have provided residents with piped water and sewer, indoor water heaters and plumbing, and in-home washers and dryers. Wastes flow to a sewage treatment plant with ocean outfall. The landfill is not permitted.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 77
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Elim Health Clinic (890-3311).
Elim is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 5A in the Norton Sound Region. Emergency Services have coastal and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide
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| Economy
and Transportation |
The Elim economy is based on subsistence harvests; cash employment is limited to fishing, the city, and school. Unemployment is high. 27 residents hold commercial fishing permits. The village wants to develop a fish processing plant. Residents rely on fish, seal, walrus, beluga whale, reindeer, moose, and home gardens.
Elim is best reached by air and sea. Improvements have made the state-owned airport one of the best and most modern in the region. It offers a 3,000' long by 60' wide gravel runway. Elim Native Corp. also owns a private 4,700' paved airstrip with a 1,390' crosswind runway at Moses Point. There is no dock in the village, so supplies must be lightered to shore by a company operating from Nome. Plans are underway to develop a harbor and dock; an access road is under construction. A cargo ship brings freight annually to Nome. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Elim
P.O. Box 39009
Elim, AK 99739
Phone 907-890-3441
Fax 907-890-3811
E-mail cityofelim@yahoo.com
Village Corporation -
Elim Native Corporation
P.O. Box 39010
Elim, AK 99739
Phone 907-890-3741
Fax 907-890-3091
E-mail elimnativecorp@gci.net
Village Council -
Native Village of Elim
P.O. Box 70
Elim, AK 99739-0070
Phone 907-890-3737
Fax 907-890-3738
E-mail elimiracouncil@earthlink.net or eli.tc@kawerak.org
Web http://www.kawerak.org/tribalHomePages/elim/index.html
Regional
Organizations
Regional Native Non-Profit - Kawerak, Incorporated
P.O. Box 948
Nome, AK 99762
Phone 907-443-5231
Fax 907-443-4452
E-mail exec.sec@kawerak.org
Web http://www.kawerak.org
CDQ Group - Norton Sound Econ. Dev. Corp.
420 L St., Suite 310
Anchorage, AK 99501-1971
Phone 907-274-2248
Fax 907-274-2249
E-mail eugene@nsedc.com
Web http://www.nsedc.com
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