Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

Aleutians East Borough, Alaska
Location in the U.S. state of Alaska
Alaska's location in the U.S.
Incorporated	October 23, 1987
Named for	Aleutian Islands
Seat	Sand Point
Largest city	Akutan
Area
• Total	15,010 sq mi (38,876 km2)
• Land	6,982 sq mi (18,083 km2)
• Water	8,028 sq mi (20,792 km2), 53.5%
Population
• (2010)	3,141
• Density	0.4/sq mi (0/km²)
Congressional district	At-large
Time zone	Alaska: UTC-9/-8
Website	www.aleutianseast.org

Aleutians East Borough /əˈlʲuːʃənz/ is a 2nd class borough located in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2010 census the borough had a population of 3,141. The borough seat is Sand Point.

History

According to archaeological evidence, the area has been inhabited by the Unanga since the last ice age. Early contact was with Russian fur traders who sought sea otters in these islands. Whaling, fishing and cannery operations brought an influx of Scandinavian and European fishermen in the early 1900s. During World War II, the area was a strategic military site for the Aleutian Campaign, and many locals were evacuated to Ketchikan.

Geography

An area in the city of False Pass, Alaska, looking north.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 15,010 square miles (38,900 km²), of which 6,982 square miles (18,080 km²) is land and 8,082 square miles (20,930 km²) (53.5%) is water.

Aleutians East Borough is located at 57° north latitude and 162° west longitude. It comprises the westernmost portion of the Alaska Peninsula, and a small number of the Aleutian Islands, from which the borough name derives. Also included are the Shumagin Islands, as well as the Pavlof Islands and the Sanak Islands. In all, about 63.9 percent of its land area comprises land on the Alaska Peninsula, while 36.1 percent is on the numerous islands. There are five incorporated cities and two unincorporated villages within the borough.

Temperatures range from -9 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation is 33 inches and annual snowfall is 52 inches.

National protected areas

• Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (parts of the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands units)
  • Aleutian Islands Wilderness (part)
  • Simeonof Wilderness
  • Unimak Wilderness
• Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Izembek National Wildlife Refuge
  • Izembek Wilderness

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

• Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska to the east
• Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska to the west

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1990	2,464		—
2000	2,697		9.5%
2010	3,141		16.5%
Est. 2014	3,360		7.0%
U.S. Decennial Census 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,697 people, 526 households, and 344 families residing in the borough. The population density was 0.386 people per square mile (0.149/km²). There were 724 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 23.95% White, 1.67% Black or African American, 37.26% Native American, 26.51% Asian, 0.30% Pacific Islander, 7.38% from other races, and 2.93% from two or more races. 12.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.25% reported speaking Tagalog at home, while 13.03% speak Spanish, 2.00% speak Ilokano, and 1.20% Aleut [1].

There were 526 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.10% were married couples living together, 14.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.60% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.30.

In the borough the population was spread out with 16.80% under the age of 18, 10.20% from 18 to 24, 42.30% from 25 to 44, 28.10% from 45 to 64, and 2.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 184.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 207.70 males.

Government and infrastructure

This information is available on a community basis. Communities located within the borough include: Akutan, Belkofski, Cold Bay, False Pass, King Cove, Nelson Lagoon, Pauloff Harbor, Sand Point, and Unga. There are 7 schools located in the borough, attended by 273 students. The Sand Point Clinic is managed by Eastern Aleutian Tribes, Inc. and inhabited a new facility in 2006. The clinic is staffed by low-level professionals and Community Health Aide/Practitioners or CHAs. The CHA role is unique to Alaska and Native Health Care.

Economy

The borough's economy is cash-based. Commercial fishing and fish processing dominate and occur almost year-round. 222 borough residents hold commercial fishing permits. Sand Point is home to the largest fishing fleet in the Aleutian Chain. Salmon and pacific cod processing occur at Peter Pan Seafoods (Port Moller and King Cove), Trident Seafoods (Sand Point and Akutan), and Bering Pacific (False Pass). The Peter Pan cannery in King Cove is one of the largest operations under one roof in Alaska. Transportation and other services provide year-round employment.

Transportation

Several airports are accessible in the Borough, and float planes can land in many communities. Marine cargo vessels also provide transportation. The State Ferry operates during the summer months. Local transportation is primarily by fishing boats or skiffs, since there are no roads.

Communities

The Bearfoot Inn in the town of Cold Bay, Alaska.

• Akutan
• Belkofski
• Cold Bay
• False Pass
• King Cove
• Nelson Lagoon
• Pauloff Harbor
• Sand Point
• Unga

See also

• List of airports in the Aleutians East Borough
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

External links

• Aleutians East Borough at the Community Database Online from the Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs
• Maps from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development: 2010