Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

Aleutians East Borough () is a 2nd class borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2020 census the borough's population was 3,420. The borough seat is Sand Point. History According to archaeological evidence, the area has been inhabited by the Aleuts 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 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 8,028 square miles (20,790 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 2020 census As of the 2020 census, the borough had a population of 3,420, yielding a population density of 0.49 people per square mile. The median age was 40.8 years, 8.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 6.9% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 226.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 243.2 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the borough was 20.0% White, 8.7% Black or African American, 23.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 22.5% Asian, 0.9% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 18.3% from some other race, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 19.7% of the population. There were 483 households, of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older, and the average household size was 2.61 people. There were 679 housing units, of which 28.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.1% were owner-occupied and 36.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.2%. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. Racial and ethnic composition 2000 census At the 2000 census 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 people/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% 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. Of the 526 households 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 households were one person and 3.40% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.30. The age distribution was 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% 65 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. A 2014 analysis by The Atlantic found Aleutians East Borough to be the second most racially diverse county-equivalent in the United States, behind the Aleutians West Census Area. Government and politics Alvin D. Osterback is the mayor of the Aleutians East Borough. The borough has an elected assembly. Members of the assembly are Warren Wilson (King Cove), Paul Gronholdt (Sand Point), Chris Babcock (King Cove), Brenda Wilson (King Cove), Carol Foster (Sand Point), Josephine Shangin (Akutan), and Denise Mobeck (Sand Point). There are three advisory members, Dailey Schaack (Cold Bay), Samantha McNeley (Nelson Lagoon), and Tom Hoblet (False Pass). There is also an elected school board. There are seven schools located in the Borough, with 273 students enrolled. 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 (CHAs). The CHA role is unique to Alaska and Native Health Care. Aleutians East Borough is a Republican stronghold. It has supported Republican presidential candidates in every election since 1964, often by margins of over 60%, although Bob Dole only defeated Bill Clinton by 10 votes in 1996. 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. Local transportation is primarily by fishing boats or skiffs since there are no roads. Communities Cities Akutan Cold Bay False Pass King Cove Sand Point (Borough seat) Census-designated place Nelson Lagoon Unincorporated communities Pauloff Harbor Belkofski Ikatan Morzhovoi Ghost towns Unga Adamagan See also List of airports in the Aleutians East Borough National Register of Historic Places listings in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska References External links Official site 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