Ekwok, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ekwok, Alaska
Iquaq
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 Ekwok, Alaska
Location in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Dillingham |
| Incorporated | 1974 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 18.01 sq mi (46.64 km2) |
| • Land | 16.75 sq mi (43.37 km2) |
| • Water | 1.26 sq mi (3.27 km2) |
| Elevation | 98 ft (30 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 111 |
| • Density | 6.63/sq mi (2.56/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP codes |
99580
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| Area code | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-21810 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1401738 |
Ekwok (which is Iquaq in the Yupik language) is a small city in the Dillingham Census Area, Alaska, in the United States. It's a place with a long history and strong ties to the Yupik people. In 2020, the population of Ekwok was 111 people.
Ekwok's History
The name Ekwok comes from the Yupik word Iquaq. This word means "end of the bluff" or "river's edge." This name perfectly describes where the city is located.
Ekwok is the oldest Yupik village that has been continuously lived in along the Nushagak River. For many years in the 1800s, people used the settlement in different ways. In the spring and summer, it was a busy fish camp. In the fall, it became a base camp for picking berries. By 1923, Ekwok had grown to be the largest settlement along the river.
For a long time, from the early 1900s until 1941, mail was delivered to Ekwok by dog sled. The sleds traveled all the way from Dillingham. In 1941, Ekwok finally got its own post office.
Before the 1960s, most of the buildings in Ekwok were in a low area near the river. But after a big flood in the early 1960s, the entire village was moved to its current, safer location. Ekwok officially became an incorporated city in 1974.
Where is Ekwok?
Ekwok is located in southwestern Alaska, right on the Nushagak River. It is about 69 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of Dillingham.
The total area of Ekwok is about 45.4 square kilometers (17.5 square miles). Most of this area, about 42.1 square kilometers (16.3 square miles), is land. The rest, about 3.2 square kilometers (1.2 square miles), is water.
Who Lives in Ekwok?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 40 | — | |
| 1940 | 68 | 70.0% | |
| 1950 | 131 | 92.6% | |
| 1960 | 106 | −19.1% | |
| 1970 | 103 | −2.8% | |
| 1980 | 77 | −25.2% | |
| 1990 | 77 | 0.0% | |
| 2000 | 130 | 68.8% | |
| 2010 | 115 | −11.5% | |
| 2020 | 111 | −3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Ekwok first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1930. Back then, it was called "Ekwak." The spelling was changed to Ekwok for the 1950 Census.
In the year 2000, there were 130 people living in Ekwok. Most of the people living in the city were Native American, making up about 91.5% of the population. About 6.15% were White, and a small number of people were from two or more different backgrounds.
Many households in Ekwok have children. In 2000, about 43.8% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age of people in Ekwok was 32 years.
Schools in Ekwok
The students in Ekwok attend the William "Sonny" Nelson School. This school is part of the Southwest Region School District.
See also
In Spanish: Ekwok para niños
