Barrow Alaska

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. Barrow is located in the Barrow Recording District. The area encompasses 18.8 sq. miles of land and 2.2 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. 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.

Alaska Natives represent 63.9% of the population. A federally recognized tribe is located in the community. 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 April 1990 U.S. Census, there were 1,184 total housing units, and 125 of these were vacant. The official unemployment rate at that time was 11.5%, with 1,594 jobs estimated to be in the community and 30.4% of all adults not in the work force. The median household income was $56,688, and 7.5% of residents were living below the poverty level.

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. Six residents hold commercial fishing permits. Many resident 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' 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.


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Source: Department of Community & Economic Development