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Koyuk
(KOY-yuck)
For a Map of Koyuk click here
| Current Population: |
333
(2008 DCCED Certified Population)
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| Incorporation Type: |
2nd Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
Unorganized |
| Taxes: |
Sales: 2%,
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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Koyuk is located at the mouth of the Koyuk River, at the northeastern end of Norton Bay on the Seward Peninsula, 90 air miles northeast of Nome. The community
lies at approximately 64.931940° North Latitude
and -161.156940° West Longitude.
(Sec. 32, T006S, R012W, Kateel River Meridian.)
Koyuk is located in the
Cape Nome Recording District.
The area encompasses 4.7
sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles
of water.
Koyuk has a subarctic climate with a maritime influence. Average summer temperatures range from 46 to 62 °F; winter temperatures average -8 to 8 °F. Annual precipitation is 19 inches, with 40 inches of snowfall. Extremes from -49 to 87 °F have been recorded. Norton Bay is usually ice-free from May to October. |
Topographic
map of
Koyuk
area
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| History, Culture
and Demographics |
| The site of "Iyatayet" on Cape Denbigh to the south has traces of human habitation that are 6,000 to 8,000 years old. Villagers were historically nomadic. Lt. Zagoskin of the Russian Navy noted the village of "Kuynkhak-miut" here in 1842-44. A Western Union Telegraph expedition in 1865 found the village of "Konyukmute." Around 1900, the present townsite, where supplies could easily be lightered to shore, began to be populated. Two boomtowns grew up in the Koyuk region around 1914: Dime Landing and Haycock. The "Norton Bay Station," 40 miles upriver, was established to supply miners and residents in 1915. In addition to gold, coal was mined a mile upriver to supply steam ships and for export to Nome. The first school began in the church in 1915; the U.S. Government built a school in Koyuk in 1928. The city was incorporated in 1970.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Koyuk.
The population of the community consists of 94.3%
Alaska Native or part Native.
Koyuk is a traditional Unalit and Malemiut Eskimo village that speaks a dialect of Inupiat Eskimo. Residents maintain a subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.
During the 2000 U.S. Census,
total housing units numbered 95, and vacant housing units numbered 15.
Vacant housing units used
only seasonally numbered 1.
U.S. Census data for Year
2000 showed 70 residents
as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was
34.58 percent,
although
62.16 percent of
all adults were not in the work force. The median household
income was $30,417, per capita income was $8,736, and
27.99 percent of residents
were living below the poverty level.
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| Facilities,
Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| A piped water and sewer system on the west side of town serves 51 households. A washeteria and central watering point also exist. DEC has approved the landfill for use, although it is not permitted.
Electricity is provided by AVEC.
There is one school located in the community,
attended by 107
students.
Local hospitals or health clinics include Koyuk Village Clinic (907-963-3311).
Koyuk 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 Koyuk economy is based on subsistence, supplemented by limited part-time jobs. Unemployment is high. There is a small amount of commercial fishing, primarily for herring, and some income is derived from reindeer herding. Ten residents hold commercial fishing permits. The main sources of meat are fish, reindeer, seal, beluga whale, and moose.
There are no roads connecting Koyuk with other villages. Access is limited to air and sea. There is a state-owned 3,000' long by 60' wide gravel runway. Regular flight service from Nome and Unalakleet is available. Supplies arrive in Nome and are lightered to shore. There is no dock in the village, although the city has requested funds for a small boat harbor feasibility study. |
Organizations
with Local Offices
City -
City of Koyuk
P.O. Box 53029
Koyuk, AK 99753
Phone 907-963-3441
Fax 907-963-3442
E-mail cityofkoyuk@ak.net
Village Corporation -
Koyuk Native Corporation
P.O. Box 53050
Koyuk, AK 99753
Phone 907-963-2424
Fax 907-963-3552
Village Council -
Native Village of Koyuk
P.O. Box 53030
Koyuk, AK 99753
Phone 907-963-3651
Fax 907-963-2353
E-mail arlene@kawerak.org
Web http://www.kawerak.org/tribalHomePages/koyuk/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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