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Akutan
(ACK-oo-tan)
For Photos of Akutan click here
For a Map of Akutan click here
| Current Population: |
796
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Aleutians East Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None,
Property: None, Special: 1% Raw Fish Tax (City); 2% Raw Fish Tax (Borough)
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| Coastal Management District: |
Aleutians East Borough |
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| Location
and Climate |
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Akutan is located on Akutan Island in the eastern Aleutians, one of the Krenitzin Islands of the Fox Island group. It is 35 miles east of Unalaska and 766 air miles southwest of Anchorage. The community
lies at approximately 54.135560° North Latitude
and -165.773060° West Longitude.
(Sec. 11, T070S, R112W, Seward Meridian.)
Akutan is located in the
Aleutian Islands Recording District.
The area encompasses 14.0
sq. miles of land and 4.9 sq. miles
of water.
Akutan lies in the maritime climate zone, with mild winters and cool summers. Mean temperatures range from 22 to 55 °F. Precipitation averages 28 inches per year. High winds and storms are frequent in the winter, and fog is common in the summer. |
Topographic
map of
Akutan
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| Akutan began in 1878 as a fur storage and trading port for the Western Fur & Trading Company. The company's agent established a commercial cod fishing and processing business that quickly attracted nearby Unangans to the community. A Russian Orthodox church and a school were built in 1878. Alexander Nevsky Chapel was built in 1918 to replace the original structure. The Pacific Whaling Company built a whale processing station across the bay from Akutan in 1912. It was the only whaling station in the Aleutians and operated until 1939. After the Japanese attacked Unalaska in June 1942, the U.S. government evacuated Akutan residents to the Ketchikan area. The village was re-established in 1944, although many villagers chose not to return. This exposure to the outside world brought many changes to the traditional lifestyle and attitudes of the community. The city was incorporated in 1979.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Akutan.
The population of the community consists of 16.4%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Akutan is a fishing community and is the site of a traditional Unangan village. Approximately 75 persons are year-round residents; the majority of the population are transient fish processing workers that live in group quarters.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 38, and vacant housing units numbered 4.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 97 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
83.89 percent,
although
84.84 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $33,750, per capita income was $12,259, and
45.48 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is supplied by a local stream and dam, originally constructed in 1927. Water is treated and piped into all homes. Sewage is piped to a community septic tank, with effluent discharge through an ocean outfall. Refuse is collected three times a week and taken to the landfill. The city recycles aluminum. Trident Seafoods operates its own water, sewer, and electric facilities.
Electricity is provided by Akutan Electric Utility.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 7
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic (907-698-2208).
Anesia Kudrin Memorial Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. The clinic is a qualified Emergency Care Center. Akutan is classified as an isolated town/Sub-Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 2H in the Aleutian/Pribilof Region. Emergency Services have coastal and helicopter access. Emergency service is provided by volunteers and a health aide
Auxiliary health care is provided by Akutan First Responders (907-698-2208/2315); flight to Unalaska or Anchorage.
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| Economy
and Transportation |
Commercial fish processing dominates Akutan's cash-based economy, and many locals are seasonally employed. Trident Seafoods operates a large processing plant for cod, crab, pollock, and fish meal west of the city. The population of Akutan can double during processing months. Ten residents hold commercial fishing permits, primarily for halibut and other groundfish. Subsistence foods include seal, salmon, herring, halibut, clams, wild cattle, and game birds.
Boats and amphibious aircraft are the only means of transportation into Akutan. A 200 ft. dock and a small boat mooring basin are available. The state ferry operates from Kodiak bi-monthly between May and October. Cargo is delivered weekly by freighter from Seattle; the city owns and operates a landing craft, the M/V Akutan. Akutan has no airstrip due to the steep terrain, however, a seaplane base is available and open to the public. Daily air service is provided from nearby Unalaska. High waves may limit accessibility during winter months. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Akutan
P.O. Box 109
Akutan, AK 99553
Phone Akutan: 907-698-2228; Anch.: 907-274-7565
Fax 907-698-2202
E-mail Administrator: akutananc@gci.net; Clerk: akutan@gci.net
Village Corporation -
Akutan Corporation
P.O. Box 8
Akutan, AK 99553
Phone 907-698-2206
Fax 907-698-2207
E-mail akutancorporation@hotmail.com
Village Council -
Native Village of Akutan
P.O. Box 89
Akutan, AK 99553-0089
Phone 907-698-2300
Fax 907-698-2301
Regional
Organizations
Borough - Aleutians East Borough
3380 C Street, Suite 205
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-274-7555
Fax 907-276-7569
E-mail tanderson@aeboro.org, rjuettner@aeboro.org
Web http://www.aleutianseast.org
Native Housing Authority - Aleutian Housing Authority
520 E. 32nd Ave
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone 907-563-2146
Fax 907-563-3105
E-mail dand@aleutian-housing.com
Web http://www.aleutian-housing.com/
CDQ Group - Aleutian/Pribilof Island Comm. Dev. Assoc.
234 Gold Street
Juneau, AK 99801-1211
Phone 907-586-0161
Fax 907-586-0165
E-mail LCotter371@aol.com
Web http://www.apicda.com
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