Port Graham, Alaska Explained

Official Name:Port Graham, Alaska
Settlement Type:Census-designated place
Other Name:Paluwik
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Alaska
Subdivision Type2:Borough
Subdivision Name2:Kenai Peninsula
Leader Title:Borough mayor
Leader Name:Peter Micciche
Leader Title1:State senator
Leader Name1:Lyman Hoffman (D)
Leader Title2:State rep.
Leader Name2:Bryce Edgmon (I)
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:16.56
Area Land Km2:16.56
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:6.39
Area Land Sq Mi:6.39
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:162
Population Density Km2:9.78
Population Density Sq Mi:25.34
Timezone:Alaska (AKST)
Utc Offset:-9
Timezone Dst:AKDT
Utc Offset Dst:-8
Elevation Ft:20
Coordinates:59.3478°N -151.8333°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:99603
Area Code:907
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:02-63280
Unit Pref:Imperial

Port Graham, also known as Paluwik (pah-LU-wig) in the Alutiiq language, is a census-designated place (CDP) in Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, United States. At the 2020 census, the population was 162.

Geography

Port Graham and Nanwalek are located near the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and are separated by less than 5miles. Although they have local roads, there is no road access into this area. All vehicles must be brought in by barge or ferry. Both villages are accessible by air or water. They lie southwest of Homer and about 7miles by air from Seldovia. The Alaska Marine Highway System provides ferry service to all of Kachemak Bay, the water body separating Port Graham, Nanwalek and Seldovia from Homer.

Port Graham is located at 59.3478°N -151.8333°W (59.347736, -151.833420).[2] According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 16.5km2, all of it recorded as land.[3]

Demographics

Port Graham first appeared on the 1920 U.S. Census as an unincorporated village. It did not appear on the 1930 census, but returned in 1940 and in every subsequent census. It was made a census-designated place (CDP) in 1980.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 171 people, 70 households, and 46 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 28.8sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 82 housing units at an average density of 13.8sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the CDP was 11.11% White, 84.80% Native American, 0.58% from other races, and 3.51% from two or more races. 3.51% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 70 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.6% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $40,250, and the median income for a family was $43,438. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $14,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,666. About 15.1% of families and 18.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.1% of those 65 or over.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. October 29, 2021.
  2. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  3. Web site: Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Port Graham CDP, Alaska. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. January 23, 2019.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.