Wales is a city located in Nome Census Area, Alaska. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 152.

Geography

Wales is located at 65°36'44" North, 168°5'21" West (65.612116, -168.089285)¹.

Wales is located on Cape Prince of Wales, on the western tip of the Seward Peninsula. It is 180 km (111 miles) northwest of Nome.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²). 7.3 km² (2.8 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 152 people, 50 households, and 28 families residing in the city. The population density is 20.8/km² (53.9/mi²). There are 59 housing units at an average density of 8.1/km² (20.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 8.55% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 83.55% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.66% from other races, and 6.58% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 50 households out of which 38.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% are married couples living together, 8.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 44.0% are non-families. 40.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.04 and the average family size is 4.43.

In the city the population is spread out with 38.2% under the age of 18, 11.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 3.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 111.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 141.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,333, and the median income for a family is $39,583. Males have a median income of $29,375 versus $22,188 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,877. 18.3% of the population and 17.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 26.2% of those under the age of 18 and 50.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

History

A burial mound from the Birnirk culture (500 to 900 CE) was discovered near Wales and is now a national landmark.

In 1827, a Russian Navy report listed the Inupiat villages of "Eidamoo" near the coast and "King-a-ghe" inland in the area.

In 1890, the American Missionary Association established a mission at the site of present-day Wales. In the 1890s, reindeer (caribou) were brought to the area and in 1894 a reindeer station was established. Wales became an important whaling center due to its location along whale migratory routes, and it was the region's largest and most prosperous village, with more than 500 residents.

The influenza epidemic from 1918 to 1919 decimated the population and economy of Wales.

External links

• Maps and aerial photos
  • Street map from Mapquest (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=decimal&latitude=65.612116&longitude=-168.089285&zoom=6)
  • Topographic map from Topozone (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=65.612116&lon=-168.089285&s=200&size=m&layer=DRG100)
  • Aerial photograph from Microsoft Terraserver (http://terraserver.microsoft.com/map.aspx?t=1&s=14&lon=-168.089285&lat=65.612116&w=750&h=500)