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Source: Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Barrow, AK
| Current Population: |
4,351 (2004 State Demographer estimate) |
| Incorporation Type: |
1st Class City |
| Borough Located In: |
North Slope Borough |
| Taxes: |
Sales: None, Property: 18.5 mills
(Borough), Special: None |
| Location
and Climate |
| Barrow, the
northernmost community in North America, is located on the Chukchi Sea
coast, 10 miles south of Point Barrow from which it takes its name. It
lies 725 air miles from Anchorage. The community lies at approximately
71.290560° North Latitude and -156.78861° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 06,
T022N, R018W, Umiat Meridian.) Barrow is located in the Barrow
Recording District. The area encompasses 18.4 sq. miles of land and 2.9
sq. miles of water. The climate of Barrow is arctic. Annual
precipitation is light, averaging 5 inches, annual snowfall is 20
inches. Temperatures range from -56 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, with an
average temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. The sun does
not set between May 10th and August 2nd each summer, and does not rise
between Nov. 18th and January 24th each winter. The daily minimum
temperature is below freezing 324 days of the year. Prevailing winds are
easterly and average 12 mph. The Chukchi Sea is typically ice-free from
mid-June through October. |
| History, Culture and
Demographics |
| Archaeological sites in the area
indicate habitation from 500 to 900 A.D. Inupiat traditionally depend on
subsistence marine mammal hunting, supplemented by inland hunting and
fishing. Archaeological remains of sixteen dwelling mounds from the
Birnirk culture exist today. Barrow was named for Sir John Barrow, 2nd
Secretary of the British Admiralty. Barrow's Eskimo name is known as
Ukpeagvik (place where owls are hunted.) In 1881, the U.S. Army
established a meteorological and magnetic research station near Barrow.
The Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Station was constructed here in
1893. A Presbyterian Church was established in 1899, and a post office
was opened in 1901. Exploration of the Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 4
(now National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, NPR-A) began in 1946. The
Naval Arctic Research Laboratory, 3 miles north of Barrow, soon
followed. The City was incorporated in 1958. Formation of the North
Slope Borough in 1972, the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, and
construction of the Prudhoe Bay oil fields and Trans-Alaska Pipeline
have each contributed to the development of Barrow. Today, tax revenues
from the North Slope oil fields fund borough-wide services.
A federally-recognized tribe is located in the community -- the
Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Trad. Gov't.; Inupiat Community of the
Arctic Slope. The population of the community consists of 64% Alaska
Native or part Native. The majority of
residents are Inupiat Eskimos. Traditional marine mammal hunts and other
subsistence practices are an active part of the culture. Bowhead, gray,
killer and beluga whales migrate near Barrow each summer. The sale of
alcohol is banned in the community, although importation or possession
is allowed. During the 2000 U.S.
Census, total housing units numbered 1,620, and vacant housing units
numbered 249. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 41.
U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 1,986 residents as employed. The
unemployment rate at that time was 12.74 percent, although 35.29 percent
of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income
was $67,097, per capita income was $22,902, and 8.62 percent of
residents were living below the poverty level. |
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Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care |
| Water is derived from a dam on Isatkoak
Lagoon and is stored in a tank. Most residents have piped water. Funds
have been requested to serve remaining houses and to construct a second
water reservoir. The member-owned Barrow Utilities & Electric
Cooperative operates the water and sewage treatment plants, generates
and distributes electric power, and distributes piped natural gas for
home heating. The North Slope Borough provides all other utilities.
Refuse collection services are provided by the North Slope Borough. The
Barrow Power Plant is fueled by natural gas. Electricity is provided by
Barrow Utilities & Electric Cooperative. There are 3 schools located in
the community, attended by 1,202 students. Local hospitals or health
clinics include Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital (907-852-9331); North
Slope Borough Health Clinic (907-852-9248). North Slope Borough Health
Clinicis Primary Health Care facility. The hospital is a qualified Acute
Care facility and State-certified Medevac Service. The Clinic is a
qualified Emergency Care Center. NSB Search & Rescue provides Critical
Care Air Ambulance Service. Specialized Care: NSB Substance Abuse
Treatment Center (852-0260); NSB Community Counseling Center. Barrow is
classified as a large town/Regional Center, it is found in EMS Region 6A
in the North Slope Region. Emergency Services have coastal, helicopter
and floatplane access. Emergency service is provided by 911 Telephone
Service, volunteers and a health aide Auxiliary health care is provided
by Borough Volunteer Fire Dept./EMS/Search & Rescue/Medevac
(852-0234/6111). |
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Economy and Transportation |
Barrow is the economic center of the
North Slope Borough, the city's primary employer, and numerous
businesses provide support services to oil field operations. State and
federal agencies also provide employment. The midnight sun has attracted
tourism, and arts and crafts provide some cash income. Seven residents
hold commercial fishing permits. Many residents rely upon subsistence
food sources: whale, seal, polar bear, walrus, duck, caribou and
grayling and whitefish are harvested from the coast or nearby rivers and
lakes.
Regularly-scheduled jet services provide Barrow's only year-round
access. The State-owned Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport serves
as the regional transportation center for the Borough. The airport has a
6,500' long by 150' wide asphalt runway, and has recently undergone
major improvements. Marine and land transportation provide seasonal
access. The City has requested funds for construction of a small boat
harbor. |
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