Barrow Alaska

Population: 4417

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. It 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. Precipitation is light, averaging 5 inches, with annual snowfall of 20 inches. Temperatures range from -56 to 78, averaging 40 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 Community of the Arctic Slope. 64% of the population are 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, there were 1,620 total housing units, and 249 were vacant. 41 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 1,986 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 12.74%, although 35.29% 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% of residents were living below the poverty level.

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, but nearly one-half use honeybuckets for sewage disposal. 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 (852-9331); North Slope Borough Clinic (852-0260). 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).

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.

Source: State of Alaska, Department of Community and Economic Development.

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[graphic version Barrow Alaska]