Barrow

 

city (1990 pop. 3,469), N Alaska; inc. 1958. It is the northernmost (71° 16′ N) U.S. settlement and the trade center of the Alaska North Slope. Government agencies, Eskimo crafts, and tourism are important to the economy. A U.S. navy arctic research laboratory is there. Point Barrow, 9 mi (14 km) NE, is the northernmost (71° 23′ N) point in the United States. The Will Rogers–Wiley Post crash (1935) site and monument lie to the southwest.

Barrow, Alaska
Location of Barrow, Alaska
Coordinates: 71°18′1″N 156°44′9″W / 71.30028, -156.73583
Country	United States
State	Alaska
Borough	North Slope
Area
- City	sq mi (km²)
- Land	sq mi ( km²)
- Water	sq mi ( km²)
Elevation	ft ( m)
Population (2006)
- City
Time zone	Alaska (AKST) (UTC-9)
- Summer (DST)	AKDT (UTC-8)
Area code(s)	907
FIPS code	02-05200
GNIS feature ID	1398635

Barrow is a city in North Slope Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. Barrow is the northernmost settlement on the North American mainland and in the United States, and one of the northernmost towns of more than 2,000 residents in the world (see Khatanga, Tiksi). Nearby Point Barrow is the northernmost point of the United States (see Extreme points of the United States and Northernmost settlements.) According to 2006 Alaska Department of Commerce, Community & Economic Development estimates, the population of the city was 4,065.^[1]

Geography

Barrow is located at 71°18′1″N, 156°44′9″W (71.300371, -156.735840)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 55 km² (21 mi²). 48 km² (18 mi²) of it is land and 8 km² (3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 14% water. The predominant land type in Barrow is tundra, which sits on permafrost that is as much as 1300 feet in depth.^[2]

Climate

Due to its location 320 miles (515 km) north of the Arctic Circle, Barrow's climate is cold and dry. Winter weather can be extremely dangerous due to the combination of cold and wind, while summers are cool even at their warmest. Weather observations are available for Barrow dating back into the late 1800s. Currently there is a National Weather Service Office and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Monitoring Lab in Barrow. Current weather data is available from NOAA.

Barrow is the National Weather Service's most northerly First-Order station. Although it generally records the lowest mean average temperatures in Alaska during winter months, Barrow rarely experiences the extreme cold temperatures typical of Alaska's interior, and virtually never sets record cold winter temperatures for Alaska.

Despite the extreme northern location, temperatures at Barrow are surprisingly moderated by surrounding topography. With the Arctic Ocean on three sides, and flat tundra stretching some 200 (≈322 km) to the south there are no wind barriers and there are no protected valleys where dense cold air can settle or form temperature inversions in the lower atmosphere in the way that commonly happens in the Interior between the Brooks Range and the Alaska Range.^[3]

However, Barrow experiences the lowest average temperatures in Alaska. And while actual temperature extremes are rare, extremely low windchill and "white out" conditions from blowing snow are very common.

Temperatures remain below freezing from early October through late May. The high daily temperature is above freezing on an average of only 109 days per year. Freezing temperatures, and snowfall, can occur during any month of the year.^[4]

The first snow (defined as snow that will not melt until next spring) happens in the first week of October, when temperatures cease to rise above freezing during the day. October is usually the month with the heaviest snowfall, with at least a trace of snow virtually every day and an average total accumulation of about 7 inches.^[5]

On the November 18th the sun goes down, and remains below the horizon for 67 days until it re-appears on January 24th. During that time there is a decreasing amount of twilight each day, and on December 21st, the shortest day of the year, civil twilight in Barrow lasts for a mere 3 hours. ^{[6] [7]}

Serious cold weather usually begins in January, and February is generally the coldest month, averaging -16°F (-27°C). By March 1st the sun is up for 9 hours, the average temperature is 2 or 3 degrees warmer, and the winds are usually higher. April brings less extreme temperatures, with an average of about 0°F (-18°C), but on April 1st there are 14 hours of sunlight. In May the temperatures are much warmer, averaging 20°F (-7°C) and beginning on May 10 the sun does not set for 85 days, on August 2. And in June the average temperature rises above freezing, to 35°F (1.6°C), and average daily tempuratures remain above freezing until mid-September. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

July is the warmest month of the year with an average high of 46°F (8°C) and an average low temperature of 34°F (1°C). Beginning in late July the Arctic Ocean is relatively ice-free, and remains so until late October. ^[11]

Variation of wind speed during the year is small, with the fall months being windiest. Extreme winds from 40-60 mph (64-97 kmh) have been recorded for all months.^[12]

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rec High °F	36	36	34	42	47	72	79	76	62	43	39	34
Norm High °F	-7.7	-9.8	-7.4	6.3	24.9	39.5	46.5	43.6	34.8	19.3	4.6	-4.7
Norm Low °F	-19.6	-22	-20	-7.3	15.3	30.4	34.3	33.8	27.5	9.8	-6.4	-16.4
Rec Low °F	-53	-56	-52	-42	-19	4	22	20	1	-32	-40	-55
Precip (in)	0.12	0.12	0.09	0.12	0.12	0.32	0.87	1.04	0.69	0.39	0.16	0.12
Source: USTravelWeather.com [1]

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 4,683 people (the 2006 certified DCCED figure is 4,065), 1,399 households, and 976 families residing in the city. The population density was 96.1/km² (249.0/mi²). There were 1,620 housing units at an average density of 34.0/km² (88.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 21.83% White, 1.00% Black or African American, 57.19% Native Alaskan, 9.41% Asian, 1.35% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 8.51% from two or more races. 3.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,399 households out of which 56.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.8% had someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.35 and the average family size was 4.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 13.3% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 3.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 107.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $63,094.09, and the median income for a family was $68,223. Males had a median income of $51,959 versus $46,382 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,902. 8.6% of the population and 7.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 7.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.12% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

History

In the Inupiaq language the location of Barrow is called Ukpeagvik, which means "the place where we hunt snowy owls". Archaeological sites in the area indicate the Inupiat lived around Barrow as far back as 500 AD. Some remains of 16 dwelling mounds from the Birnirk culture of about 800 AD are still in evidence today.

Barrow takes its current name from Point Barrow, which was named for Sir John Barrow of the British Admiralty in 1825. British Navy officers were in the area to explore and map the Arctic coastline of North America. The United States Army established a meteorological and magnetic research station at Barrow in 1881, and the Cape Smythe Whaling and Trading Station was established in 1893.

By 1888 there was a Presbyterian church at Barrow, and in 1901, a United States Post Office was opened.

In 1935, the famous humorist Will Rogers and pilot Wiley Post made a planned stop 25 km (15 miles) south of Barrow on an air trip. After they took off again, their plane stalled and plunged into a river, killing them both. Two monuments are located at the crash site.

Barrow's airport is named Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport in their memory.

Barrow incorporated as a 1st Class City in 1958.

The residents of the area cast the lone vote in opposition to passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which passed in December 1971. In 1972, the North Slope Borough was established. The borough used millions of dollars in new revenues to create roads, sanitation services, water and electrical services, and health and educational services in the area.

In 1986, the North Slope Borough created the North Slope Higher Education Center, which later became Ilisagvik College, gaining accreditation in 2003. The two-year college is dedicated to providing an education based on the Inupiat culture.

The Tuzzy Consortium Library is co-located in Barrow with the Inupiat Heritage Center.

Notable facts

• A majority of the Barrow population are Inupiat Eskimo people, which greatly influences local government and traditions. Hunting for marine mammals (Bowhead whales primarily, but seals, walrus and belugas, plus caribou too) is a common practice and the lifestyle that binds the community together.
• Barrow is a desert, with an average of less than 5 inches "equivalent rainfall" per year, which includes less than 30 inches of snow.
• There are freezing temperatures on an average of 324 days per year.
• The average winds are 12 mph, from the East.
• Barrow is the setting for a series of horror comics called 30 Days of Night. The stories center on vampires who take advantage of the month or so of darkness that takes place annually in the town. (This comic's depiction of Barrow bears no resemblance to Barrow in any way but name.) A film based on the comic was released on October 19, 2007 starring Josh Hartnett. It was produced by Ghost House Pictures, producers of The Grudge.
• Barrow has an AM/FM radio station, KBRW, broadcasting on 680 AM and 91.9 FM.
• Barrow, like many communities in Alaska, has a "damp" law prohibiting the sale of alcoholic beverages, but still allows for import, possession and consumption.

Special Events

When planning to visit Barrow these events might be of interest for determining when to schedule it.

• Kivgiq, The Messenger Fiest. Held in late January or early February, is called at the discretion of the North Slope Borough Mayor and is an international event which attracts visitors from around the Arctic Circle.
• Piuraagiaqta, The Spring Festival. Held in mid-April and includes many outdoor activities.
• Nalukataq, The Blanket Toss Celebration. Held on multiple days beginning in the 3rd week of June to celebrate each successful spring whale hunt.
• July 4th. In Barrow this is time for Eskimo Games, with the winners going on to compete at the World Eskimo Indian Olympics.
• Fall Whaling. Generally happens during the second week of October.
• Qitik, Eskimo Games. Held from December 26th through January 1st.

References

See also

• Rogers-Post Site
• National_Petroleum_Reserve-Alaska
• Arctic_Ocean
• North_Slope_Borough,_Alaska
• Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation
• Arctic_Slope_Regional_Corporation
• Ilisagvik_College
• Inupiat_Heritage_Center
• Wiley_Post-Will_Rogers_Memorial_Airport
• Native_Village_of_Barrow
• Point_Barrow
• Tuzzy_Consortium_Library
• Nalukataq

External links

• The City of Barrow
• North Slope Borough
• Ilisagvik College
• North Slope Borough School District
• Barrow Sea Ice Webcam
• Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital
• Barrow Arctic Science Consortium (BASC)
• Coordinates: 71.300371° N 156.73584° W
• National Weather Service Barrow, Alaska
• KBRW Public Radio
• Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corp (UIC)
• Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
• NSB Coastal Zone Management site
• Eben Hopson Memorial Archive site
• King Eider Hotel (sub-pages with lots of photographs)
• State of Alaska Photo Archive
• Jeffrey Sward (visitor) photographs
• George F. Ledoux (visitor) photographs
• Floyd Davidson (resident) photographs

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