Cities and Towns in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
Founded in, Kusilvak Census Area is one of 20 boroughs in the state of Alaska. The city of is the borough seat. With FIPS code of 158, Kusilvak Census Area has a population of 8,360 and area of 17,077 square miles (44,229 km²).
Major Cities and Towns in Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
Hooper Bay
- Area: 8.6 square miles
- Population: 1,375 (as of the 2020 Census)
- Zip Codes: 99604
- Latitude and Longitude: 61.5319° N, 166.0969° W
Location and History
Hooper Bay, known as Naparyarmiut in the Central Yup’ik language, is a small city located on the western coast of Alaska, near the Bering Sea, in the Kusilvak Census Area. The area has been inhabited by the Yup’ik people for thousands of years, and Hooper Bay has a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in traditional subsistence practices such as fishing, hunting, and gathering. The town was named after Captain William Hooper of the Western Union Telegraph Expedition in the 19th century. Hooper Bay was incorporated as a city in 1966 and has grown into one of the largest communities in the Kusilvak Census Area. Despite its remote location, the community has retained its traditional lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on preserving Yup’ik language and culture.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Hooper Bay is served by the Lower Yukon School District, with Hooper Bay School providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school plays a central role in the community, offering both standard education and cultural programs that teach students about traditional Yup’ik ways of life. A key landmark in Hooper Bay is the St. James Episcopal Church, a historic site that has been part of the community for many decades. The town is also known for its proximity to the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, a vast area of wetlands and tundra that is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including migratory birds, fish, and marine mammals. The refuge offers opportunities for birdwatching, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of the region. Hooper Bay’s annual events, such as community feasts and dance festivals, celebrate the town’s cultural heritage and strong sense of community. The combination of traditional culture, natural beauty, and community spirit makes Hooper Bay a unique and vibrant place to live.
Alakanuk
- Area: 32.2 square miles
- Population: 738 (as of the 2020 Census)
- Zip Codes: 99554
- Latitude and Longitude: 62.6881° N, 164.6158° W
Location and History
Alakanuk is a small Yup’ik village located along the south bank of the Yukon River, near its mouth on the Bering Sea, in the Kusilvak Census Area. The name “Alakanuk” means “wrong way” in Yup’ik, a reference to the tricky navigation of the river’s many channels. The village has been a site of human habitation for thousands of years, with the Yup’ik people relying on the rich natural resources of the Yukon River for their subsistence lifestyle. Alakanuk was incorporated as a city in 1969 and has maintained its traditional culture and way of life. The economy of Alakanuk is largely based on subsistence fishing, hunting, and gathering, with seasonal commercial fishing also playing a role.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Alakanuk is served by the Lower Yukon School District, with Alakanuk School providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is a focal point for the community, offering not only academic education but also cultural programs that help preserve the Yup’ik language and traditions. A significant landmark in Alakanuk is the Yukon River itself, which is central to the community’s way of life, providing fish, transportation, and a link to other communities. The surrounding wetlands and tundra are part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, which offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, and observing the diverse wildlife that inhabits the region. The village’s annual activities, such as the spring and fall subsistence camps, are essential to maintaining the traditional Yup’ik lifestyle. Alakanuk’s remote location, cultural significance, and reliance on the natural environment make it a resilient and close-knit community in the Kusilvak Census Area.
Emmonak
- Area: 7.5 square miles
- Population: 989 (as of the 2020 Census)
- Zip Codes: 99581
- Latitude and Longitude: 62.7772° N, 164.5456° W
Location and History
Emmonak, also known as “Emo,” is a small city located near the mouth of the Yukon River in the Kusilvak Census Area. The area has been inhabited by the Yup’ik people for thousands of years, and the name “Emmonak” means “blackfish” in the Yup’ik language, a reference to a local fish species that is vital to the community’s subsistence lifestyle. Emmonak was incorporated as a city in 1964 and has since become an important hub for the Lower Yukon region. The economy of Emmonak is primarily based on commercial and subsistence fishing, with the town serving as a key location for the processing and shipping of fish, particularly salmon. The community also engages in hunting, trapping, and gathering to sustain their way of life.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Emmonak is served by the Lower Yukon School District, with Emmonak School providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school is central to the community, offering educational and cultural programs that preserve the Yup’ik language and traditions. A key landmark in Emmonak is the Yukon River, which plays a vital role in the town’s economy and daily life. The river provides a means of transportation, sustenance, and a connection to other villages in the region. The surrounding Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge offers rich opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and experiencing the unique ecosystems of the delta. Emmonak’s annual events, such as subsistence fishing camps and community potlatches, highlight the town’s strong cultural heritage and reliance on the natural environment. The combination of traditional culture, economic importance, and natural beauty makes Emmonak a vital and resilient community in the Kusilvak Census Area.
Mountain Village
- Area: 4.8 square miles
- Population: 635 (as of the 2020 Census)
- Zip Codes: 99632
- Latitude and Longitude: 62.0856° N, 163.7231° W
Location and History
Mountain Village is a small city located on the north bank of the Yukon River in the Kusilvak Census Area. The area has long been inhabited by the Yup’ik people, who have relied on the river and surrounding lands for their subsistence lifestyle. The village was established as a trading post in the late 19th century and became an important stop for riverboats traveling along the Yukon River. Mountain Village was incorporated as a city in 1967, and it has since developed into a key community in the region, serving as a hub for transportation, education, and services for surrounding villages. The town’s economy is based on subsistence activities, including fishing, hunting, and gathering, with some commercial fishing and trapping.
Major Schools and Landmarks
Mountain Village is served by the Lower Yukon School District, with Mountain Village School providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school plays a central role in the community, offering not only education but also cultural programs that help preserve the Yup’ik language and traditions. A significant landmark in Mountain Village is the Yukon River, which is essential to the town’s way of life, providing fish, transportation, and a connection to other communities. The surrounding tundra and wetlands are part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, offering opportunities for hunting, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty of the region. The village’s annual activities, such as subsistence camps and traditional dance festivals, reflect the strong cultural heritage and community spirit of Mountain Village. The town’s combination of rich history, cultural significance, and connection to the natural environment make Mountain Village a unique and vital community in the Kusilvak Census Area.
St. Mary’s
- Area: 48.7 square miles
- Population: 567 (as of the 2020 Census)
- Zip Codes: 99658
- Latitude and Longitude: 62.0547° N, 163.1686° W
Location and History
St. Mary’s is a small city located along the Andreafsky River, near its confluence with the Yukon River, in the Kusilvak Census Area. The town was established in the early 1950s as a Catholic mission, with the construction of a school and church by Jesuit missionaries who sought to serve the Yup’ik people in the region. St. Mary’s quickly grew as a center for education and religious activities, attracting families from nearby villages. The town was incorporated as a city in 1967 and has since become a key community in the area, providing education, healthcare, and other services to the surrounding region. The economy of St. Mary’s is based on subsistence activities, including fishing, hunting, and gathering, as well as some commercial fishing and local services.
Major Schools and Landmarks
St. Mary’s is served by the St. Mary’s City School District, with St. Mary’s School providing education from kindergarten through 12th grade. The school, originally established by the Jesuits, remains central to the community, offering both academic and cultural education that reflects the Yup’ik heritage. A key landmark in St. Mary’s is the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, which has been a focal point of the community since its founding and continues to play an important role in the town’s social and spiritual life. The Andreafsky and Yukon Rivers are vital to the community, providing resources for fishing, transportation, and subsistence activities. The nearby Andreafsky Wilderness, part of the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge, offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploring the pristine natural environment. St. Mary’s annual events, such as church feasts and cultural festivals, celebrate the town’s rich heritage and strong community bonds. The combination of history, cultural significance, and natural beauty makes St. Mary’s a vibrant and important community in the Kusilvak Census Area.
Map of Cities in Kusilvak Census Area, AK