Hooper Bay, Alaska

Town in Alaska

"Hooper Bay" redirects here. For the EP by Boards of Canada, see Hooper Bay (EP).

City in Alaska, United States

Hooper Bay Naparyarmiut

A testament to human stubbornness, Hooper Bay is a city situated in the vast, indifferent expanse of Alaska, United States. The accompanying image, featuring the town's structures against a backdrop of wind turbines, serves as a stark visual reminder of both the persistent human effort to harness the elements and the sheer scale of the wilderness it contends with.

Hooper Bay

Location in Alaska

Coordinates: 61°31′44″N 166°05′46″W / 61.52889°N 166.09611°W / 61.52889; -166.09611 Country United States State Alaska Census Area Kusilvak Incorporated February 7, 1966 [1] Government • Mayor Benjamin Nukusuk [2] • State senator Donald Olson (D) • State rep. Neal Foster (D) Area [3] • Total 7.53 sq mi (19.50 km 2 ) • Land 7.50 sq mi (19.42 km 2 ) • Water 0.031 sq mi (0.08 km 2 ) Elevation 26 ft (8 m) Population (2020) • Total 1,375 • Density 183.4/sq mi (70.81/km 2 ) Time zone UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) • Summer (DST) UTC-8 (AKDT) ZIP code 99604 Area code 907 FIPS code 02-33470 GNIS feature ID 1403493

Known in Central Yupik as Naparyarmiut, Hooper Bay is a distinct city located within the expansive Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska, United States. According to the meticulous count of the 2020 census, its population had reached 1,375 individuals, a noticeable increase from the 1,093 recorded just a decade prior in 2010. [4] This growth suggests a certain resilience, or perhaps a lack of better options, in the face of the region's formidable challenges.

One such challenge manifested with brutal clarity on August 3, 2006, when a truly devastating fire swept through a significant portion of the city. This major conflagration managed to destroy approximately fifteen acres of the urban area, leaving behind a trail of ruin that included thirty-five individual structures. Among these losses were twelve homes, the entirety of the local elementary school, the middle school, the high school, and the complex dedicated to teacher housing. Additionally, various stores, administrative offices, and essential storage shelters were consumed by the flames, collectively rendering at least 70 people homeless. [5] [6] [7] It was an abrupt, comprehensive reminder of how quickly human endeavors can be undone, especially in isolated environments.

Geography and climate

Hooper Bay's precise geographical coordinates place it at 61°31′44″N 166°5′46″W / 61.52889°N 166.09611°W / 61.52889; -166.09611 (61.528980, -166.096196), [8] a location that positions it approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of the formidable Cape Romanzof and about 25 miles (40 km) south of Scammon Bay, nestled within the vast and intricate Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. The city itself is, rather pragmatically, divided into two distinct sections: an older, more heavily built-up townsite that clings to the slight advantage of gently rolling hills, and a newer, perhaps more optimistic, section that has expanded into the more vulnerable lowlands. One can only assume the topography offered little more choice than that.

According to the diligent measurements compiled by the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses a total area of 8.8 square miles (23 km 2 ). Of this, a substantial 8.7 square miles (23 km 2 ) constitutes land, while a comparatively minuscule 0.1 square miles (0.26 km 2 ), accounting for a mere 0.91% of its total footprint, is water. A rather dry existence, considering its proximity to various bodies of water.

Hooper Bay exists squarely within the polar climate zone, as classified by the Köppen climate classification system (specifically, ET). This classification is earned by the simple, brutal fact that even its hottest month barely scrapes by at 49.2 °F (9.6 °C). However, like most things in life, it refuses to be entirely straightforward. It presents an atypical example of a polar climate due to the significant moderating influence of the surrounding sea, which prevents the widespread, continuous permafrost typically associated with such latitudes. Instead, permafrost here is merely sporadic, a patchy, unreliable presence. This maritime moderation also paradoxically results in heavy late summer rainfall, a characteristic more commonly observed in subpolar oceanic climates. The substantial influence of the ocean, while tempering the extreme cold, ensures that snowfall remains exceptionally heavy, frequently exceeding or approaching 4 inches (0.10 metres) for a staggering eight months out of the year. It's a climate that demands respect, or at least, a very warm coat.

Climate data for Cape Romanzof LRRS Airport (1961–1990 normals, extremes 1953–1985)

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	49 (9)	48 (9)	46 (8)	60 (16)	71 (22)	72 (22)	79 (26)	73 (23)	63 (17)	60 (16)	45 (7)	48 (9)	79 (26)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	36.8 (2.7)	33.8 (1.0)	37.0 (2.8)	41.0 (5.0)	53.8 (12.1)	62.6 (17.0)	68.0 (20.0)	64.6 (18.1)	56.4 (13.6)	44.3 (6.8)	38.0 (3.3)	36.6 (2.6)	69.9 (21.1)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	18.6 (−7.4)	15.6 (−9.1)	19.6 (−6.9)	26.3 (−3.2)	38.3 (3.5)	48.1 (8.9)	52.8 (11.6)	52.1 (11.2)	46.5 (8.1)	34.7 (1.5)	25.5 (−3.6)	19.7 (−6.8)	33.3 (0.7)
Daily mean °F (°C)	13.7 (−10.2)	10.0 (−12.2)	14.3 (−9.8)	20.9 (−6.2)	34.4 (1.3)	43.5 (6.4)	49.2 (9.6)	49.0 (9.4)	43.8 (6.6)	31.2 (−0.4)	23.2 (−4.9)	14.3 (−9.8)	29.0 (−1.7)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	8.7 (−12.9)	5.6 (−14.7)	9.0 (−12.8)	16.4 (−8.7)	29.7 (−1.3)	39.3 (4.1)	45.0 (7.2)	45.4 (7.4)	40.2 (4.6)	28.7 (−1.8)	18.0 (−7.8)	10.1 (−12.2)	24.8 (−4.0)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−14.0 (−25.6)	−14.1 (−25.6)	−11.7 (−24.3)	−1.6 (−18.7)	16.6 (−8.6)	31.5 (−0.3)	38.8 (3.8)	39.2 (4.0)	32.1 (0.1)	15.7 (−9.1)	3.5 (−15.8)	−9.5 (−23.1)	−19.6 (−28.7)
Record low °F (°C)	−23 (−31)	−26 (−32)	−26 (−32)	−15 (−26)	3 (−16)	25 (−4)	31 (−1)	33 (1)	23 (−5)	4 (−16)	−15 (−26)	−23 (−31)	−26 (−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.17 (30)	0.84 (21)	0.90 (23)	0.93 (24)	1.41 (36)	2.23 (57)	3.14 (80)	4.54 (115)	4.36 (111)	2.78 (71)	1.46 (37)	1.31 (33)	25.06 (637)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	9.2 (23)	5.3 (13)	7.9 (20)	8.1 (21)	3.9 (9.9)	1.0 (2.5)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	1.1 (2.8)	9.4 (24)	9.7 (25)	10.1 (26)	65.7 (167)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 inch)	10.9	7.3	9.9	11.3	10.8	12.1	16.3	19.9	18.8	18.2	14.6	10.8	165.9
Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 inch)	10.4	6.6	10.2	11.0	6.1	0.6	0.0	0.0	0.9	12.0	13.3	11.1	82.8

Source 1: WRCC [9]

Source 2: XMACIS (snowfall) [10]

The climate data, painstakingly collected, paints a picture of a place where 'mild' is a relative term and 'winter' is a lifestyle. One can observe the distinct trends in temperature and precipitation, noting how the oceanic influence, while preventing extreme cold, ensures a consistent, if not always gentle, dampness and an abundance of snow for the better part of the year. Truly, a place for those who appreciate the subtle nuances of perpetual chill.

Demographics

Hooper Bay youth, 1930

Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1880 175 — 1890 138 −21.1% 1930 209 — 1940 299 43.1% 1950 307 2.7% 1960 460 49.8% 1970 490 6.5% 1980 627 28.0% 1990 845 34.8% 2000 1,014 20.0% 2010 1,093 7.8% 2020 1,375 25.8% U.S. Decennial Census [11]

Hooper Bay’s presence in official records is a fragmented narrative. It first surfaced on the 1880 U.S. Census, then identified as an Yup'ik settlement under the rather unimaginative name of Askinuk. [12] A decade later, for the 1890 census, it reappeared, having undergone a slight renaming to Askinaghamiut. Following this brief moment in the statistical spotlight, it vanished from the federal records, only to resurface in 1930, this time finally identified by its current designation, Hooper Bay. The formal act of incorporation, granting it the status of a city, occurred in 1966, a belated recognition of its enduring existence.

Delving into the specifics of the population, as of the census [13] conducted in 2000, Hooper Bay was home to 1,014 individuals, distributed across 227 distinct households, with 187 of these constituting traditional families. This density translated to approximately 116.8 inhabitants per square mile (45.1/km 2 ), a figure that suggests a certain closeness, whether by choice or necessity. The housing situation reflected this, with 239 housing units available, averaging a rather sparse 27.5 per square mile (10.6/km 2 ).

A closer look at the racial composition reveals a stark homogeneity, perhaps unsurprising for a remote Alaskan community. The city's population was predominantly composed of 93.69% Native American individuals, with a small minority of 4.24% identified as White, and a further 2.07% claiming two or more races. A nearly negligible 0.10% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race, suggesting very little external influence on its demographic makeup.

Household structures in 2000 painted a picture of bustling family life. A significant 61.7% of households included children under the age of 18, a demographic reality that would certainly keep things lively. Within these households, 34.4% were traditional married couples living together, while 30.0% were headed by a female householder without a husband present, indicating a strong presence of single-parent families. A smaller 17.6% were categorized as non-families, and 15.4% of all households consisted of individuals living alone. A mere 0.9% had someone aged 65 or older living by themselves, suggesting a strong communal or multi-generational living arrangement. The average household size was a robust 4.47 people, expanding to an even larger 4.97 for families, which certainly explains the constant hum of activity.

The age distribution of Hooper Bay's population in 2000 showcased a remarkably youthful demographic. Nearly half (49.2%) of the population was under the age of 18, illustrating a community with a strong future, or at least, a lot of energetic youth. Another 9.0% fell into the 18 to 24 age bracket, followed by 24.5% from 25 to 44. Those aged 45 to 64 accounted for 11.5%, while the elder segment, 65 years of age or older, represented a modest 5.8%. The median age of the population stood at a remarkably low 18 years, a clear indicator of its youthful vigor. The gender ratio was nearly balanced, with 98.8 males for every 100 females. However, among those aged 18 and over, the balance shifted slightly, with 116.4 males for every 100 females, a detail that might be of interest to some.

Economically, the median income for a household in the city was recorded at $26,667, with families faring slightly better at a median income of$ 27,500. A curious detail emerged when examining individual incomes: males had a median income of $31,250, while females, surprisingly, surpassed them with a median of$ 32,083. The per capita income for the city was a modest $7,841, reflecting the economic realities of the region. Predictably, a significant portion of the population lived below the poverty line, with approximately 28.4% of families and 27.9% of the overall population facing economic hardship. This included 30.1% of those under 18 and a particularly vulnerable 31.6% of those aged 65 or over, underscoring the persistent challenges of economic stability in such an environment.

Education

For the younger generations residing in Hooper Bay, education is primarily facilitated through the Hooper Bay School, also known by its more traditional name, Naparyarmiut Elicarviat. This institution serves students spanning from pre-kindergarten all the way through twelfth grade, operating under the administration of the Lower Yukon School District. [14] What makes this school particularly noteworthy is its commitment to cultural preservation and linguistic immersion. It proudly hosts a Yup'ik language immersion program, specifically designed for students in kindergarten through third grade. This initiative was a pioneering effort, being the very first program of its kind to be implemented within the entire district, a commendable step towards safeguarding indigenous languages. [15]

For those high school students seeking alternative educational pathways or perhaps a change of scenery, the state of Alaska provides additional options. They have the opportunity to attend one of the state's public boarding schools, specifically the Nenana Student Living Center or the esteemed Mt. Edgecumbe High School. [16] These institutions offer a chance for students from remote communities like Hooper Bay to experience a different educational environment, often with a broader curriculum and more diverse peer groups, while still remaining within the public school system.

In popular culture

Despite its remote location, Hooper Bay has managed to etch its name into the broader cultural consciousness, if only in niche corners.

Hooper Bay is not just a geographical location, but also the evocative title of an electronic music album crafted by the acclaimed Scottish duo, Boards of Canada. Its atmospheric soundscapes perhaps aim to capture the desolate beauty or the quiet solitude that the name evokes.
The raw, often dramatic realities of Alaskan life, including events in Hooper Bay, have also found their way onto the small screen. An incident that unfolded in Hooper Bay was notably featured in Season 4, Episode 8 of the television series, "Alaska State Troopers". This appearance likely brought a fleeting, if somewhat sensationalized, glimpse of the town's challenges to a wider audience.

References

^ 1996 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory . Juneau: Alaska Municipal League/Alaska Department of Community and Regional Affairs. January 1996. p. 67.
^ 2015 Alaska Municipal Officials Directory . Juneau: Alaska Municipal League. 2015. p. 73.
^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
^ "2020 Census Data - Cities and Census Designated Places" (Web). State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
^ "Hundreds Evacuate, Structures Destroyed in Hooper Bay Fire". ABC Alaska News. August 4, 2006. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
^ deMarban, Alex (August 15, 2006). "Children faulted in Hooper Bay fire". Anchorage Daily News . Archived from the original on October 15, 2008. Retrieved October 22, 2008.
^ "Cleanup begins in Hooper Bay | Juneau Empire - Alaska's Capital City Online Newspaper". juneauempire.com . Archived from the original on October 25, 2015.
^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
^ "CAPE ROMANZOF, ALASKA (501318)". Western Regional Climate Center. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
^ XMACIS (snowfall)
^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ "Geological Survey Professional Paper". 1949.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ "Low test scores don't deter Hooper Bay School leaders". Anchorage Daily News . March 15, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
^ Dillon, R.A. (May 18, 2002). "School Reaches Out to Embrace Native Roots". turtletrack.org . Canku Ota. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
^ Brown, Cathy (June 27, 2004). "Alaska Boarding Schools Make a Comeback". Washington Post . Retrieved July 29, 2019.