North Slope Borough, Alaska
North Slope Borough | |
---|---|
At-large | |
Website | www |
The North Slope Borough is the northernmost
History
The borough was established in 1972 by an election of the majority Indigenous people in the region, following Congressional passage of the
In 2020 airline Ravn Alaska went into bankruptcy and ended operations. The government of North Slope Borough attempted to take control of the airline's assets in an attempt to keep flights and shipments coming to the community, but the Alaska Attorney General stated that the borough did not have that authority.[5]
Government
The borough is governed by an eleven-member assembly, elected to staggered three-year terms, which meets monthly. Representation on the assembly is apportioned among the various communities; Barrow is allotted six seats, Nuiqsut, Point Hope and Wainwright one seat apiece, while the remaining two seats combine two communities; Anaktuvuk Pass with Kaktovik, and Atqasuk with Point Lay.[6] The borough's executive and administrative powers are vested in a mayor, who is limited to two consecutive three-year terms.
Mayors
- 1972–1980: Eben Hopson (died in office)
- 1980–1981: Jacob Anaġi Adams, Sr.
- 1981–1984: Eugene Brower
- 1984–1990: George Ahmaogak, Sr.[7]
- 1990–1993: Jeslie Kaleak
- 1993–1996: George Ahmaogak, Sr.
- 1996–1999: Benjamin Nageak
- 1999–2005: George Ahmaogak, Sr.
- 2005–2011: Edward Itta
- 2011–2016: Charlotte Brower
- 2016–2023: Harry Brower, Jr.
- 2023–present: Josiah Patkotak
Politics
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 1,197 | 47.92% | 1,134 | 45.40% | 167 | 6.69% |
2016 | 802 | 34.58% | 1,090 | 47.00% | 427 | 18.41% |
2012 | 735 | 32.92% | 1,407 | 63.01% | 91 | 4.08% |
2008 | 1,252 | 52.69% | 1,041 | 43.81% | 83 | 3.49% |
2004 | 1,171 | 57.68% | 767 | 37.78% | 92 | 4.53% |
2000 | 1,485 | 57.99% | 843 | 32.92% | 233 | 9.10% |
1996 | 949 | 43.10% | 927 | 42.10% | 326 | 14.80% |
1992 | 666 | 35.02% | 763 | 40.12% | 473 | 24.87% |
1988 | 916 | 53.32% | 713 | 41.50% | 89 | 5.18% |
1984 | 929 | 60.09% | 575 | 37.19% | 42 | 2.72% |
1980 | 507 | 43.59% | 460 | 39.55% | 196 | 16.85% |
1976 | 339 | 32.85% | 655 | 63.47% | 38 | 3.68% |
1972 | 325 | 35.10% | 560 | 60.48% | 41 | 4.43% |
1968 | 473 | 34.91% | 690 | 50.92% | 192 | 14.17% |
1964 | 243 | 23.55% | 789 | 76.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 348 | 39.55% | 532 | 60.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
Former mayor Eugene Brower, Charlotte Brower's husband, was convicted of tax evasion involving contractor kickbacks in the 1980s.[9]
Former mayor George Ahmaogak had billed the Borough for a family vacation in Hawaii.[9] His wife Maggie, was later convicted of embezzlement from the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission in 2015.[9][10]
Edward Itta succeeded George Ahmaogak and served two terms, 2005–2011.[11] In 2011 Charlotte Brower defeated Ahmaogak in a runoff election after his Hawaii vacation was revealed.[9] She was recalled in April 2016, after it was reported the year before that her office had made numerous donations to individuals (including family members), sports clubs and other groups that amounted to more than $800,000 since 2011.[12]
In July 2016 Harry K. Brower Jr., Charlotte Brower's brother-in-law,[11] was first elected in a run-off election to serve the rest of Charlotte Brower's second term.[12]
Harry K. Brower Jr. ran for a full term as mayor in October 2017, but was forced into a November runoff against his nephew, Frederick Brower, where he easily won a full 3-year term.[13][14]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 94,796 square miles (245,520 km2), of which 88,695 square miles (229,720 km2) is land and 6,101 square miles (15,800 km2) (6.4%) is water.[15] The borough is larger than 39 states.[16]
Its western coastline is along the Chukchi Sea, while its eastern shores (beyond Point Barrow) are on the Beaufort Sea.
The North Slope Borough is the largest county-level political subdivision in the United States by area, with a larger land area than the state of
Adjacent boroughs and census areas
- Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska – southeast
- Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska – southwest
It shares its eastern border with Yukon, Canada, which has no subdivisions.
National protected areas
- Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (part of the Chukchi Sea unit)
- Cape Lisburne
- Cape Thompson
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- Mollie Beattie Wilderness (part)
- Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (part)
- Noatak National Preserve (part)
- Noatak Wilderness(part)
Other federal areas
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1960 | 2,133 | — | |
1970 | 2,663 | 24.8% | |
1980 | 4,199 | 57.7% | |
1990 | 5,979 | 42.4% | |
2000 | 7,385 | 23.5% | |
2010 | 9,430 | 27.7% | |
2020 | 11,031 | 17.0% | |
2023 (est.) | 10,603 | [17] | −3.9% |
U.S. Decennial Census[18] 1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20] 1990-2000[21] 2010-2020[3] |
2020 census
As of the
2010 census
As of the
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,385 people. The racial makeup was 17.09% White, 0.72% Black or African American, 68.38% Native American (mostly Iñupiat), 5.92% Asian, 0.84% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 6.55% from two or more races. 2.37% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 2,109 households, out of which 48.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.3% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.70% were non-families. 21.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.45 and the average family size was 4.05.
In the borough, the population was spread out, with 38.2% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 18.10% from 45 to 64, and 4.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.90 males.
2020 Census
Race | Percentage of population |
---|---|
White | 34.97% |
Black or African American | 2.28% |
Alaska Native |
57.76% |
Asian | 7.03% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |
4.12% |
Some other race | 3.40% |
Ancestry | Percentage of population |
---|---|
Iñupiat | 50.72% |
Alaska Native tribes, not specified | 5.82% |
Filipino | 5.21% |
African American |
3.78% |
Samoan |
2.85% |
Irish |
2.45% |
German |
1.95% |
Mexican |
1.40% |
Alaskan Athabaskan |
0.94% |
Native Hawaiian |
0.78% |
European |
0.75% |
Economics
"Among all North Slope Borough communities, a higher percentage of Nuiqsut households use subsistence resources for more than half of their diet."[31]
Communities
Cities
- Anaktuvuk Pass
- Atqasuk
- Kaktovik
- Nuiqsut
- Point Hope
- Utqiaġvik(borough seat)
- Wainwright
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated places
Education
The borough has a single school district: North Slope Borough School District.[32] It is also the largest school district in the United States by area, totaling 229,731 km2 (88,700 sq mi) [33]
See also
References
- ^ "North Slope Borough Local Emergency Planning District (LEPD)". Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. December 31, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
- Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs. January 1996. p. 13.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ "Your Government", North Slope Borough; accessed November 3, 2016.
- ^ "Attorney general: North Slope Borough can't seize Ravn assets". Associated Press. April 8, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Assembly Members
- ^ "North Slope Economy, 1965 to 2005" (PDF). Northern Economics Inc.
- ^ "RRH Elections". rrhelections.com. February 2, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Arctic Sounder, Carey Restino, July 18, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ Whaling panel's former director gets prison time, Alaska Journal of Commerce, November 30, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ Alaska Dispatch News. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ a b Lisa Demer, "North Slope Borough mayor ousted in recall election", Alaska Dispatch News, May 17, 2016; accessed November 3, 2016.
- ^ Associated Press, "Former mayor's brother-in-law elected North Slope Borough mayor", KTUU News
- Alaska Dispatch News, Lisa Demer, November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ Reiss, Bob (July 18, 2010). "The Mayor at the Top of the World". Parade. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
He governs the Wyoming-sized North Slope Borough of Alaska, a territory larger than 39 of our 50 states
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Population of North Slope County, AK – Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts - CensusViewer". censusviewer.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "MLA Language Map Data for North Slope County, Alaska". Retrieved October 14, 2011.
- ^ "2020 Census Demographic Data Map Viewer".
- ^ "DP05: ACS DEMOGRAPHIC AND HOUSING ESTIMATES".
- ^ "B04006: PEOPLE REPORTING ANCESTRY".
- ^ "B02018: ASIAN ALONE OR IN ANY COMBINATION BY SELECTED GROUPS".
- ^ "AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE (AIAN) ALONE OR IN ANY COMBINATION BY SELECTED TRIBAL GROUPINGS".
- ^ "B02019: NATIVE HAWAIIAN AND OTHER PACIFIC ISLANDER ALONE OR IN ANY COMBINATION BY SELECTED GROUPS".
- ^ "B03001: HISPANIC OR LATINO ORIGIN BY SPECIFIC ORIGIN".
- ^ North Slope Borough. 2016. NSB 2015 Economic Profile and Census. Barrow, AK. quoted in Willow Master Development Project Record of Decision, 2020 page 18
- ^ "2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: North Slope Borough, AK" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 31, 2022. – Text list
- ^ "School District Geography and Geographic Size". ProximityOne. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2024.