Gustavus, Alaska: Difference between revisions
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==Demographics== |
==Demographics== |
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As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 429 people, 199 households, and 114 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4.4/km² (11.4/mi²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 3.5/km² (9.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89% white, 0% black or African American, 4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2% from other races, and 4% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. |
[[Image:GustavusAlaskaMap.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Map of Gustavus, Alaska outside the town gas station]]As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 429 people, 199 households, and 114 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4.4/km² (11.4/mi²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 3.5/km² (9.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89% white, 0% black or African American, 4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2% from other races, and 4% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. |
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There were 199 households out of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47% were married couples living together, 6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43% were non-families. 38% of all households were made up of individuals and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9. |
There were 199 households out of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47% were married couples living together, 6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43% were non-families. 38% of all households were made up of individuals and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9. |
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Revision as of 05:40, 19 June 2006
Gustavus is a census-designated place (CDP) in Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 429.
Geography
Gustavus is located at 58°24′59″N 135°44′44″W / 58.41639°N 135.74556°WInvalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (58.416327, -135.745549)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 98 km² (38 mi²). None of it is covered by water.
Gustavus is split by the Salmon River, across which there is a bridge for the paved road running out to Glacier Bay National Park. Coho Salmon, Dolly Varden, and other fish are commonly caught in this river. Within the town limits, the river is affected by tides.
History
The community of Gustavus (formally known as Strawberry Point) lies on the historic outwash plain created by the glaciers that once filled Glacier Bay. Only two hundred years ago, it was primarily one big "beach". The town itself is barely one hundred years old. The first settlers arrived in 1914 but left shortly thereafter; the first permanent homestead was created in 1917 when Abraham Lincoln Parker moved his family to Strawberry Point. Today, a large portion of Gustavus residents are descendants and relatives of the original Parker homesteaders. Early Gustavus history speaks of native Tlingit Indians and others using the area for fishing, berry picking, and other similar uses.
Gustavus was known as Strawberry Point until 1925, when it was officially given the name Gustavus by the newly created local post office. At the time most locals preferred Strawberry Point.
Gustavus was picked by the government because that is what had been on the maps for 47 years. In 1793 Captain, George Vancouver named Point Adolphus (today a well-known humpback whale feeding area) after Adolphus Frederick, the seventh son of King George. In 1878 William Healey Dall, while working on a coastal survey, saw “Adolphus” on the map and assumed it was for King Gustavus II of Sweden, who was also known as Gustavus Adolphus. Strawberry Point, which is across from Point Adolphus, was not listed on the map so Healey put “Gustavus” on the map!
Today, Gustavus still has a big beautiful beach with many strawberries. It also is surrounded on three sides by Glacier Bay National Park and the fourth side by water. Spruce and Hemlock trees reach 60 m (200 feet) into the sky, and alders, balsam poplar, fern, mosses, fireweed, lupine, and other plants also adorn what is technically a temperate rain forest. Being on the coast brings in wet air and keeps everything green and lush, plus giving Gustavus a relatively mild winter. Summer temperatures hold around 16º to 19°C, while most of the winter is a “warm” 3°C.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 429 people, 199 households, and 114 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4.4/km² (11.4/mi²). There were 345 housing units at an average density of 3.5/km² (9.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 89% white, 0% black or African American, 4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2% from other races, and 4% from two or more races. 1.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 199 households out of which 28% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47% were married couples living together, 6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43% were non-families. 38% of all households were made up of individuals and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26% under the age of 18, 3% from 18 to 24, 30% from 25 to 44, 36% from 45 to 64, and 5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 130 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 135 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,800, and the median income for a family was $51,800. Males had a median income of $41,800 versus $29,400 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,100. 15% of the population and 10% of families were below the poverty line. 13% of those under the age of 18 and 14% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Economy
Gustavus has an economy that is strongly linked to the natural resources surrounding it. Tourism and commercial fishing are mainstays of the local economy. However, the importance of commercial fishing is in decline, as the Dungeness crab fishery in the nearby national park was closed in the early 2000s and the fishing for Dungeness outside of the national park has become poor. Salmon and halibut remain as the primary catch of the commercial fishing done out of Gustavus. Those not involved in tourism or seafood typically work for the government at the public school, the post office, the National Park Service, or the Town of Gustavus.