Karluk, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karluk
Kal’uq, Kal’ut
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Karluk sandspit in the late 1800s showing cannery and village; the source termed the Karluk River the "River of Life" due to the dense salmon run
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 Karluk, Alaska
Location in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Borough | Kodiak Island |
| Area | |
| • Total | 57.86 sq mi (149.86 km2) |
| • Land | 55.94 sq mi (144.89 km2) |
| • Water | 1.92 sq mi (4.97 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 27 |
| • Density | 0.48/sq mi (0.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99608
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| Area code(s) | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-37540 |
Karluk is a small community located on Kodiak Island in Alaska, United States. Its name comes from the Alutiiq language, where it's called Kal’uq or Kal’ut. In 2020, 27 people lived there. It is known as a census-designated place, which is a type of community defined by the government for gathering information.
Contents
Geography and Location
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Karluk is found at 57°34′41″N 154°21′45″W / 57.57806°N 154.36250°W. This means it's in the northern part of the world, quite far west.
The community is about 88 miles (142 kilometers) southwest of Kodiak City. It sits at an elevation of 137 feet (42 meters) above sea level.
Land and Water Area
The total area of Karluk is about 57.9 square miles (149.9 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 55.5 square miles (143.6 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 2.4 square miles (6.3 square kilometers), is water.
Population and People
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| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 302 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,123 | 271.9% | |
| 1900 | 470 | −58.1% | |
| 1910 | 549 | 16.8% | |
| 1920 | 99 | −82.0% | |
| 1930 | 192 | 93.9% | |
| 1940 | 189 | −1.6% | |
| 1950 | 144 | −23.8% | |
| 1960 | 129 | −10.4% | |
| 1970 | 98 | −24.0% | |
| 1980 | 96 | −2.0% | |
| 1990 | 71 | −26.0% | |
| 2000 | 27 | −62.0% | |
| 2010 | 37 | 37.0% | |
| 2020 | 27 | −27.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
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Karluk first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1880. At that time, 302 people lived there. Most of them were Inuit, with some people of mixed Russian and Native heritage, and a few White residents.
In 1890, Karluk grew a lot, becoming the third-largest community in Alaska with 1,123 residents. Many people from Asia lived there, along with White residents and Native Alaskans. Karluk has been counted in every census since then.
Community Life in 2000
In 2000, there were 27 people living in Karluk, making up 9 households and 7 families. Almost all residents (96.3%) were Native American. A small percentage (3.7%) were Asian.
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About 44% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 3 people, and the average family had 3.43 people.
The population was quite young, with 37% of residents under 18 years old. The average age was 30 years. There were more males than females in the community.
Historical Events
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In 1787, a Russian company called Shelikhov-Golikov set up an outpost in Karluk. This was an early trading or settlement spot.
In 1945, the people of Karluk helped rescue seven U.S. Navy pilots. These pilots had to land their PB1 Ventura patrol bomber plane in the water near the village.
In 2021, the historic Ascension of Our Lord Chapel was moved. It was relocated from a bluff overlooking the river to protect it from being destroyed by erosion.
Education
Karluk has its own school, the Karluk School. It teaches students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school is managed by the Kodiak Island Borough School District.
See also
In Spanish: Karluk (Alaska) para niños
