According to Liuxers, Bethel Census Area, Alaska is located in the southwestern part of the state along the Kuskokwim River. It is the largest census area in Alaska, covering an area of 45,432 square miles and making up nearly one-third of the state’s landmass. The county seat is Bethel. As of 2019, Bethel Census Area had a population of 17,652 people.
The majority of Bethel Census Area’s population is Native American or Alaska Native (83.7%), with a smaller percentage being White (11%) and Asian (2.3%). The median household income for the county was $47,974 in 2018. The median age was 28 years old with approximately one-third of residents being under 18 years old.
Bethel Census Area is largely rural and isolated from other parts of Alaska and has limited access to roads or airports outside its borders. Most transportation within the county occurs by boat or airplane due to its remote location on the Kuskokwim River Delta and lack of roadways connecting it to other parts of Alaska.
The economy in Bethel Census Area is largely dependent on subsistence fishing, hunting and trapping activities as well as government jobs related to these activities such as fisheries management and enforcement work for local tribal governments or organizations like Fish & Game or National Park Service offices located within the county borders. Additionally, there are a few small businesses that provide services such as grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations that serve local residents as well as those passing through on their way to other areas in Alaska or Canada.
In addition to subsistence activities and small business services, Bethel Census Area also has some larger industries including energy production from hydroelectric facilities operated by Yukon River Inter-Tribal Council Energy Authority; construction services provided by local construction companies; air transportation via Bethel Airport; health care services provided by Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital; educational opportunities offered by University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Kuskokwim Campus; retail stores owned by local companies such as Yup’ik Basket Company; tourism related services provided by tour operators offering guided trips into nearby national parks like Kobuk Valley National Park; and service sector jobs available through various non-profit organizations operating within the region such as Association for Village Development for Economic Advancement (AVDEA).
History of Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Bethel Census Area, Alaska is a remote area located on the Kuskokwim River Delta in the southwest of the state. It was first inhabited by Yup’ik Eskimos and Athabascans who had migrated from other parts of Alaska thousands of years ago. Bethel was first visited by Russians in 1741, and eventually became part of the Russian Empire in 1867 when it was purchased from them along with the rest of Alaska.
In 1885, Bethel became a trading post for fur traders and miners who were drawn to this remote region. The trading post quickly grew into a small town as more businesses opened up to serve locals and travelers passing through. In 1901, the town officially incorporated as Bethel City and began to develop infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and churches.
In 1912, the area surrounding Bethel officially became part of Alaska’s Unorganized Borough and was given its current name – Bethel Census Area – in 1959 when it was separated from Kusilvak County. In 1970, the census area population had grown to 8,743 people with most residents living in rural villages along the Kuskokwim River or near Lake Clark National Park.
The economy of Bethel Census Area is largely dependent on subsistence activities such as fishing, hunting and trapping; government jobs related to these activities; small businesses providing services such as grocery stores or restaurants; energy production from hydroelectric facilities; construction services; air transportation via Bethel Airport; health care services provided by Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital; educational opportunities offered by University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Kuskokwim Campus; retail stores owned by local companies such as Yup’ik Basket Company; tourism related services provided by tour operators offering guided trips into nearby national parks like Kobuk Valley National Park; and service sector jobs available through various non-profit organizations operating within the region such as Association for Village Development for Economic Advancement (AVDEA).
Today, Bethel Census Area is home to over 6500 people with many living in rural villages along rivers or near national parks while others live in larger towns closer to amenities offered by modern society. Although isolated from other parts of Alaska due to limited access roads or airports outside its borders, it remains an important part of Alaskan culture thanks to its rich history and vibrant communities that continue their traditional subsistence lifestyle while also taking advantage of modern technologies available today.
Major cities and towns in Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Bethel is the largest city in the Bethel Census Area, Alaska. Home to over 6,500 people, it is situated on the northwest coast of the state near the mouth of the Kuskokwim River. It is known as an important hub for air transportation between rural villages and other parts of Alaska, as well as for its access to a wide range of amenities including stores, restaurants, and medical facilities. The city boasts a vibrant cultural scene with an annual Camai dance festival celebrating Yup’ik culture and traditional subsistence activities such as fishing, hunting, and trapping.
The second-largest city in Bethel Census Area is Napaskiak. Located on the south bank of the Kuskokwim River near Bethel, it has a population of around 1,000 people who are mainly Yup’ik Eskimos. It is home to a variety of services such as stores, churches, schools and medical facilities provided by Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital.
Kwethluk is another important town in Bethel Census Area located on both sides of the Kuskokwim River about 60 miles west from Bethel. With over 1,500 residents mostly Yup’ik Eskimos living in traditional subsistence lifestyle activities such as fishing and hunting while also taking advantage of modern technologies available today like internet access or satellite TV services; it has become an important center for economic development in this region thanks to its access to air transportation via Kwethluk Airport. This town is also known for its vibrant cultural scene with many cultural events taking place throughout the year such as Camai dance festival or Annual Elder’s Gathering that bring together people from all around Alaska to celebrate Yup’ik culture and traditions.
Tuluksak is another town located along tributaries of Kuskokwim River about 90 miles west from Bethel with a population of around 500 people mostly Yup’ik Eskimo living off traditional subsistence lifestyle activities such as fishing and trapping while also taking advantage of modern technologies available today like internet access or satellite TV services; it has become an important center for economic development in this region thanks to its access to air transportation via Tuluksak Airport which connects this remote village with other parts of Alaska; it also has a number of stores providing goods or services related to tourism industry like guided trips into nearby national parks like Kobuk Valley National Park or guided sport fishing trips into lakes located within this region; there are also several local non-profit organizations operating within this area that provide assistance related to health care or education opportunities offered by University Of Alaska Fairbanks’ Kuskokwim Campus; overall it remains an important part of Alaskan culture thanks to its rich history and vibrant communities that continue their traditional subsistence lifestyle while also taking advantage modern technologies available today.
Finally, Eek is another small town located along tributaries off Kuskokwim River about 110 miles west from Bethel with a population around 250 people mainly Yup’ik Eskimo living off traditional subsistence lifestyle activities such as hunting or trapping while also taking advantage modern technologies available today like internet access or satellite TV services; it has become an important center for economic development in this region thanks to its access air transportation via Eek Airport which connects remote village other parts Alaska; there are several local businesses providing goods services related tourism industry like guided trips into nearby national parks Kobuk Valley National Park guided sport fishing trips lakes located within this region; there are also several local non-profit organizations operating within area that provide assistance related health care education opportunities offered University Of Alaska Fairbanks’ Kuskokwim Campus; overall it remains an important part Alaskan culture thanks rich history vibrant communities continues their traditional subsistence lifestyle while also taking advantage modern technologies available today.
Airports in Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Bethel Census Area in Alaska is home to two airports, the Bethel Airport and the Eek Airport. See Alaska airports. The Bethel Airport is the largest airport, serving as a hub for regional air transportation. It is located four miles east of Bethel and is owned by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The airport has one paved runway measuring 5,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. It has one main terminal with two gates, a restaurant, a lounge area and other amenities available to passengers. In addition to commercial flights, the airport also offers charter flights to remote villages throughout the region as well as medical evacuation services.
The Eek Airport is located in Eek about 110 miles west from Bethel and serves as an important center for economic development in this region thanks to its access air transportation via Eek Airport which connects remote village other parts Alaska. The airport has one paved runway measuring 3,000 feet long and 100 feet wide with a single terminal building that includes two gates and basic amenities for passengers such as restrooms and vending machines. This airport offers charter flights to other villages throughout the region as well as medical evacuation services.
both airports in Bethel Census Area provide essential air transportation services that not only connect this remote area with other parts of Alaska but also help promote economic development in this region by providing access to remote villages that may otherwise be difficult or nearly impossible to reach without aircrafts. Both airports are operated by experienced staff who offer excellent customer service making them both popular choices among travelers looking for convenient air travel options within the region.