Several Native groups have lived in the area, including Koyukon Athabascans and Kobuk, Selawik, and Nunamiut Eskimos from the north and northwest. The Koyukon lived in several camps throughout the year, moving as the seasons changed, following the wild game and fish. The various bands established joint settlements after 1851. The old site of Alatna was a traditional trading center for Athabascans and Eskimos.
The first mission on the Koyukuk River, St. John's-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Mission, was established in 1906. A post office was opened in 1925. In 1938, the name of the community was changed to Allakaket (the old name for the mission), and the name Alatna was assumed by the small Eskimo community across the river. The first public school was established in 1957. A flood caused by ice jamming inundated 85% of the community in the Spring of 1964. In 1975, the community incorporated as a City, including both settlements of Allakaket and Alatna. A clinic and airport were built in 1978. A new school and community roads were built in 1979. In September 1994, flood waters destroyed and swept away nearly all of the community's buildings, homes, and food caches for the winter. Residents rebuilt near the old City site, but some new homes and facilities are now located outside of the incorporated City boundaries. New Allakaket and Alatna are located outside of the City limits.
A federally recognized tribe is located in the community—the Allakaket Village. The population of the community consists of 95.9% Alaska Native or part Native. Allakaket is mainly an Athabascan community; Kobuk Eskimos live across the river in Alatna. Two separate village councils exist. Traditional potlatches, dances and foot races attract visitors from area villages. Subsistence activities provide the majority of food sources. The sale, importation and possession of alcohol are banned in the village.[5]
Allakaket is on the south bank of the Koyukuk River, southwest of its junction with the Alatna River, approximately 190 miles (310 km) northwest of Fairbanks and 57 miles (92 km) upriver from Hughes. The village of Alatna is located directly across the river.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.3 square miles (11 km2), of which, 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) of it (17.05%) is water.
Climate
Allakaket has a subarctic climate (KöppenDfc) characterized by frigid, snowy winters and mild summers. The average high temperature during July is 70 °F or 21.1 °C. Temperatures in January fall to or below 0 °F or −17.8 °C on all but four mornings, and during December and February on all but six per month, whilst extended periods below −40 °F or −40 °C are common: the coldest month on record of January 1971 averaged −44.9 °F (−42.7 °C). Being further from the Alaska Range than Fairbanks, Allakaket is less influenced by warming chinook winds, so that temperatures have topped freezing in January only six times on record, and in December only ten times of record.
The highest temperature ever recorded was 94 °F (34.4 °C) and the lowest was −75 °F (−59.4 °C). Average precipitation is 12.41 inches or 315.2 millimetres and annual snowfall is 61.3 inches or 1.56 metres. The Koyukuk River is ice-free from June through October.
Climate data for Allakaket (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1907–1982)
Allakaket first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated native village.[10] In 1930, it and neighboring Alatna (1/2 mile west across the Yukon River) were combined (under Alatna's name) for a total of 131 (given Alatna's population was between 28 and 32 persons from 1920 to 1950, it can be estimated that Allakaket's population was about 100 for that census).[11] Allakaket formally incorporated in 1975, including the village of Alatna across the river. Following flooding in 1994, the residents of the Alatna portion on the western side of the Yukon River relocated to higher ground to the west, just outside of city boundaries. As a result, in 2000, Alatna was declared a new census-designated place (CDP), separate from the city of Allakaket.[12]
This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Newer information is available from the 2010 and 2020 census reports. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(May 2023)
As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 97 people, 41 households, and 18 families residing in the city. The population density was 27.0 inhabitants per square mile (10.4/km2). There were 59 housing units at an average density of 16.4 units per square mile (6.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 4.12% White, and 95.88% Native American.
There were 41 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.7% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 53.7% were non-families. 53.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.68.
In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 23.7% under the age of 18, 19.6% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 142.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 155.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $16,563, and the median income for a family was $33,125. Males had a median income of $13,750 versus $35,417 for females. The per capita income for the city was $10,912. There were 11.8% of families and 12.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 12.5% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.
Public services
Most public facilities were severely damaged in the 1994 Koyukuk River flood. Major components have been replaced—a new washeteria, well and treatment plant, 100,000 US gallons (380,000 L) water storage tank, sewage lagoon, and force main have recently been completed. The lagoon is connected to the washeteria and school. Residents carry treated water and haul honeybuckets or use pit privies; no households have plumbing. Infrastructure improvements to provide a flush/haul system are continuing. A new landfill and access road are also under construction. Electricity is provided by Alaska Power Company. There is one school located in the community, attended by 52 students. Local hospitals or health clinics include Allakaket Health Clinic (907-968-2248). Allakaket Health Clinic is a Primary Health Care facility. Allakaket is classified as an isolated village, it is found in EMS Region 1C in the Interior Region. Emergency Services have river and air access. Emergency service is provided by a health aide.[citation needed]
Most cash jobs are part-time or seasonal. The primary year-round employers are the school, City, Tribe and village corporation store. Construction and BLM emergency firefighting provide summer jobs. A few earn income from trapping or selling traditional Native handicrafts. Subsistence is the focus of the local economy. Salmon, whitefish, moose, bear, small game and berries provide most food sources. Caribou are taken when available.
Allakaket has no road link, but winter trails connect it with Hughes, Bettles and Tanana. River transportation is important in summer, but there is no commercial barge access due to shallow water. The state-owned Allakaket Airport has a 4,000 by 100 ft (1,219 by 30 m) gravel runway and is accessible year-round. A $6 million airport improvement began construction in 1997. Arctic Circle Air Service, Servant Air, Warbelow's Air Ventures, and Wright Air Service offer passenger flight service.
Allakaket does not impose taxes on real estate, or from other sources.
