Naknek, Alaska
A westward view of downtown Naknek in the summer.
Location of Naknek, Alaska
Coordinates: 58°44′23″N 156°58′18″W / 58.73972, -156.97167
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Borough	Bristol Bay
Area
- Total	84.8 sq mi (219.7 km²)
- Land	84.2 sq mi (218.0 km²)
- Water	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population (2000)
- Total	678
- Density	8.1/sq mi (3.1/km²)
Time zone	Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9)
- Summer (DST)	AKDT (UTC-8)
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-52060

Naknek is a census-designated place located in Bristol Bay Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the CDP was 678.

Naknek is located on the north bank of the Naknek River, close to where the river runs into the Kvichak Bay arm of the northeastern end of Bristol Bay. South Naknek is on the other side of the river. The local economy is almost entirely based on salmon fishing.

Geography

Naknek is located at 58°44′23″N 156°58′18″W / 58.73972, -156.97167Coordinates: 58°44′23″N 156°58′18″W / 58.73972, -156.97167 (58.739857, -156.971704).^[1]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 84.8 square miles (219.7 km²), of which, 84.2 square miles (218.0 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.80% water.

Demographics

As of the census^[2] of 2000, there were 678 people, 247 households, and 162 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 8.1 people per square mile (3.1/km²). There were 455 housing units at an average density of 5.4/sq mi (2.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 51.47% White, 45.28% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.74% Pacific Islander, and 2.36% from two or more races. 0.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 247 households out of which 44.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 35.0% under the age of 18, 4.6% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 3.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 116.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 121.6 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $53,393, and the median income for a family was $65,000. Males had a median income of $44,375 versus $35,341 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,182. About 3.1% of families and 3.7% of the population and 3.1% of families were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under the age of 18 and none of those 65 and older.

History

The region around Bristol Bay was first settled at least 6,000 years ago by Yupiks and Athabaskans.

In 1821, a Yupik village called Naugeik was noted by Capt. Lt. Vasiliev of the Russian Navy. It was later spelled Naknek by the Russians. The Russians built a fort, Fort Suvarov, near the village and Russian fur trappers inhabited the area in the 1800s, before the Alaska Purchase. A Russian Orthodox church was also built near the fort.

The first salmon cannery opened on the Naknek River in 1890; by 1900, there were 12 canneries around Bristol Bay.

The land owned by the Russian Orthodox Church on the north bank of the Naknek River was the first land recorded in Naknek. Squatters built shelters on the church property and were eventually sold lots in what became the center of Naknek.

Naknek has developed as a major salmon fishing center for both commercial fishing and sport fishing. Fish from the canneries is transported over a 25-km-long (15 mi) road to King Salmon, where it is shipped to markets outside Alaska.

Naknek has also been called Naugvik, Kinghiak, Libbyville, Pawik, and Suvarov (also spelled Suwarof or Suworof) at various times in its history.

Fun things to do in Naknek

Although a relatively small village, Naknek has a surprising array of recreational opportunities. A borough-maintained swimming pool is a popular place for kids as well as adults. Additionally, Naknek has a lovely beach where you can find a number of intriguing rocks, such as agates. Although not open to the public, the old Russian Orthodox Church behind the Borough building is a great example of the types of buildings that were common near the turn of the century. For those who enjoy riding All-Terrain Vehicles, or ATVs, there are miles of trails for riding, and, of course, there is always the beach. For those brave enough to withstand cold water, Pump Lake is centrally located and has clean (but cold) water.

References

External links

• Naknek Family Fisheries — "from ship to shore, right to your door"
• Bristol Bay Borough
• Bristol Bay School
• Bristol Bay Times Newspaper

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