Unalakleet, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Unalakleet
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Aerial view of Unalakleet, taken 2010
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Location of Unalakleet, Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Nome |
| Incorporated | 1974 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.95 sq mi (12.81 km2) |
| • Land | 2.86 sq mi (7.41 km2) |
| • Water | 2.08 sq mi (5.40 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 765 |
| • Density | 267.30/sq mi (103.20/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99684
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| Area code | 907 |
| FIPS code | 02-80660 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1411517 |
Unalakleet (pronounced YOO-nuh-luh-kleet) is a small city in western Alaska, United States. It is located in the Nome Census Area, Alaska. In 2020, about 765 people lived there.
Unalakleet is famous in Alaska for its amazing salmon and king crab. The people who live here also eat a lot of caribou, ptarmigan (a type of bird), and bearded seal.
The city is also known for its beautiful scenery. It sits right next to the Bering Sea and the clear Unalakleet River. The area has trees, open tundra, and hills in the background.
Contents
History of Unalakleet
What Does the Name Unalakleet Mean?
The name Unalakleet comes from the Inupiat language. It means "from the southern side."
Early Trade and Russian Influence
Unalakleet has always been an important place for travel and trade. It is at one end of the Unalakleet-Kaltag Portage. This was a key winter route between the Norton Sound and the Yukon River. For a long time, it was a major trading hub. Athabascan people from inland Alaska traded with Inupiat people from the coast here.
In the 1830s, Russian explorers and traders arrived. The Russian-American Company built a trading post in Unalakleet.
Sami Reindeer Herders and Telegraph Line
Later, in 1898, the United States brought Sami reindeer herders to Unalakleet. These herders came from Lapland to teach local people about raising reindeer. In 1901, the United States Army Signal Corps built a long telegraph line. This line stretched 605 miles (974 km) from St. Michael and passed through Unalakleet.
Geography and Climate
Where is Unalakleet Located?
Unalakleet is on the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea. It is at the mouth of the Unalakleet River. The city is about 148 miles (238 km) southeast of Nome. It is also about 395 miles (636 km) northwest of Anchorage.
What is the Climate Like?
Unalakleet has a subarctic climate. This means it has cold, dry winters. Summer temperatures usually range from 47°F to 62°F (8°C to 17°C). Winter temperatures can be very cold, from -40°F to 11°F (-40°C to -12°C). The area gets about 14 inches (36 cm) of rain each year. It also gets about 41 inches (104 cm) of snow.
| Climate data for Unalakleet (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1941–1998) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 47 (8) |
46 (8) |
47 (8) |
62 (17) |
78 (26) |
86 (30) |
87 (31) |
85 (29) |
75 (24) |
60 (16) |
48 (9) |
43 (6) |
87 (31) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 34.5 (1.4) |
31.8 (−0.1) |
36.5 (2.5) |
45.5 (7.5) |
63.0 (17.2) |
69.0 (20.6) |
75.2 (24.0) |
72.9 (22.7) |
64.0 (17.8) |
47.2 (8.4) |
36.2 (2.3) |
35.2 (1.8) |
77.8 (25.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 11.0 (−11.7) |
11.0 (−11.7) |
18.9 (−7.3) |
29.5 (−1.4) |
45.6 (7.6) |
54.2 (12.3) |
61.2 (16.2) |
59.9 (15.5) |
51.4 (10.8) |
33.0 (0.6) |
19.4 (−7.0) |
12.2 (−11.0) |
33.9 (1.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 4.9 (−15.1) |
3.3 (−15.9) |
10.9 (−11.7) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
38.4 (3.6) |
47.9 (8.8) |
54.8 (12.7) |
53.1 (11.7) |
44.2 (6.8) |
27.0 (−2.8) |
13.5 (−10.3) |
5.7 (−14.6) |
27.1 (−2.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −1.3 (−18.5) |
−4.4 (−20.2) |
2.9 (−16.2) |
13.2 (−10.4) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
41.4 (5.2) |
48.5 (9.2) |
46.3 (7.9) |
37.0 (2.8) |
21.0 (−6.1) |
7.5 (−13.6) |
−0.8 (−18.2) |
20.2 (−6.6) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | −30.1 (−34.5) |
−32.5 (−35.8) |
−25.0 (−31.7) |
−10.6 (−23.7) |
16.6 (−8.6) |
31.9 (−0.1) |
39.0 (3.9) |
35.3 (1.8) |
24.1 (−4.4) |
0.9 (−17.3) |
−16.3 (−26.8) |
−29.9 (−34.4) |
−40.8 (−40.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −59 (−51) |
−50 (−46) |
−50 (−46) |
−32 (−36) |
−11 (−24) |
25 (−4) |
32 (0) |
28 (−2) |
6 (−14) |
−20 (−29) |
−47 (−44) |
−52 (−47) |
−59 (−51) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.69 (18) |
0.51 (13) |
0.70 (18) |
0.63 (16) |
0.87 (22) |
1.35 (34) |
2.28 (58) |
3.04 (77) |
2.28 (58) |
1.24 (31) |
1.09 (28) |
0.91 (23) |
15.59 (396) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.5 (11) |
3.6 (9.1) |
5.3 (13) |
3.6 (9.1) |
1.5 (3.8) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.51) |
3.0 (7.6) |
6.4 (16) |
5.4 (14) |
33.5 (85) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 7.6 | 6.6 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 13.5 | 15.9 | 13.4 | 10.7 | 10.0 | 9.3 | 121.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 inch) | 6.8 | 5.8 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 5.5 | 8.6 | 8.3 | 50.5 |
| Source 1: WRCC | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: XMACIS (snowfall) | |||||||||||||
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 100 | — | |
| 1890 | 175 | 75.0% | |
| 1900 | 241 | 37.7% | |
| 1910 | 247 | 2.5% | |
| 1920 | 285 | 15.4% | |
| 1930 | 261 | −8.4% | |
| 1940 | 329 | 26.1% | |
| 1950 | 469 | 42.6% | |
| 1960 | 574 | 22.4% | |
| 1970 | 434 | −24.4% | |
| 1980 | 623 | 43.5% | |
| 1990 | 714 | 14.6% | |
| 2000 | 747 | 4.6% | |
| 2010 | 688 | −7.9% | |
| 2020 | 765 | 11.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Unalakleet first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1880. It was listed as an Inuit village. In 1974, Unalakleet officially became an incorporated city.
Most of the people living in Unalakleet are Alaska Native. There are also people of White, Black, and mixed backgrounds. The community is made up of many families, with a lot of children.
Unalakleet's Role in Mushing Races
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Unalakleet is a very important stop in the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It is the first checkpoint on the Norton Sound. This checkpoint is about 851 miles (1,370 km) from the race's start in Anchorage. The first musher (dog sled driver) to reach Unalakleet each year wins the Gold Coast Award. This award includes $2,500 in gold nuggets!
The Iron Dog Snowmobile Race
Unalakleet also plays a key role in the Iron Dog snowmobile race. This is another exciting winter race that passes through the area.
Education in Unalakleet
Early Schools and Missions
The Mission Covenant Church of Sweden started a mission in Unalakleet in 1887. Later, the Evangelical Covenant Church opened a boarding high school in 1954. This school welcomed students from all over western Alaska. It closed in 1985 because many villages began to have their own local high schools.
Bering Strait School District
The main office for the Bering Strait School District has been in Unalakleet since 1983. This school district is very large, covering about 75,000 square miles (194,250 km²). It serves fifteen village schools in the region.
Unalakleet School
Unalakleet has its own local school called Unalakleet School. It teaches students from kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. The school is divided into Unalakleet Elementary, Unalakleet Middle School, and Unalakleet High School. Most of the students at Unalakleet School are Alaska Native.
Sports and Academic Programs
Unalakleet's basketball teams have won six State titles. Three titles were won by Covenant High and three by Unalakleet High School. The high school has also won two mix-six volleyball state championships. Students can join many sports, including cross-country running, wrestling, and track. They also participate in Native Youth Olympics. In 2023, Unalakleet High School had its first state champion in track (400M event). The school also had its first state champion in Division 3 State cross-country running.
Unalakleet schools also have a Gifted & Talented program. Students can take part in Academic Decathlon and Battle of the Books.
Transportation and Law Enforcement
How Do People Travel?
Unalakleet Airport is a very important travel hub for nearby villages. It offers services for air cargo and air taxis. Airlines like Ravn Alaska have daily flights to Anchorage. Cargo services are provided by Everts Air Cargo and Northern Air Cargo. Bering Air, Ryan Air, and Ravn Connect offer daily flights to Nome and other villages.
Law and Safety
Unalakleet has an Alaska State Troopers station. The local police department works with local Village Public Officers (VPOs) and Village Public Safety Officers (VPSOs). There is also a court system that serves Unalakleet and the surrounding villages.
Healthcare Services
Healthcare in Unalakleet is provided by the Anikkan Inuit Iluaqutaat Sub-Regional Clinic. This clinic is part of the Norton Sound Health Corporation, which is based in Nome, Alaska. The clinic has medical providers, health aides, and specialists. They also have visiting specialists throughout the year.
Notable People from Unalakleet
- William E. Beltz (1912–1960) – A carpenter and politician who lived in Unalakleet.
- Aaron Berger (1993-) – A notable implant dentist and skilled MMA fighter. He is known for his very strong hands.
- Frank Auvnue Degnan (1901–1980) – A local leader and co-founder of the Alaska Native Industries Cooperative Association. He was the first Yup’ik legislator in the Alaska Territorial Legislature in 1950. He also helped create the Alaska Federation of Natives.
- Timothy M. Towarak (1944–2019) – He helped make Unalakleet an official city. He served as mayor and city administrator. He was also the first manager of the Unalakleet Native Corporation. He worked to protect the subsistence rights of Alaska Native peoples.
See also
In Spanish: Unalakleet para niños
