Current Population: 223 (2003 State Demographer est.)
Incorporation Type: 2nd Class City
Borough Located In: Unorganized
School District: Bering Straits Schools
Regional Native Corporation: Bering Straits Native Corp.


Location:
Shaktoolik is located on the east shore of Norton Sound. It lies 125 miles east of Nome and 33 miles north of Unalakleet. It lies at approximately 64.333890° North Latitude and -161.15389° West Longitude. (Sec. 23, T013S, R013W, Kateel River Meridian.) Shaktoolik is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 1.1 sq. miles of land and 0.0 sq. miles of water. Shaktoolik has a subarctic climate with maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October. Summer temperatures average 47 to 62; winter temperatures average -4 to 11. Extremes from -50 to 87 have been recorded. Average annual precipitation is 14 inches, including 43 inches of snowfall.

Culture:
It is a Malemiut Eskimo village with a fishing and subsistence lifestyle. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.

Economy:
The Shaktoolik economy is based on subsistence, supplemented by part-time wage earnings. 33 residents hold commercial fishing permits. Development of a new fish processing facility is a village priority. Reindeer herding also provides income and meat. Fish, crab, moose, beluga whale, caribou, seal, rabbit, geese, cranes, ducks, ptarmigan, berries, greens and roots are also primary food sources.

Facilities:
Water is pumped three miles from the Togoomenik River to the pumphouse, where it is treated and stored in an 848,000-gallon insulated tank adjacent to the washeteria. A piped water and sewage collection system serves most homes. 75% of households have complete plumbing and kitchen facilities. The school is connected to City water, and has received funding to develop a sewage treatment system to serve the entire community. The City burns refuse in an incinerator. The landfill needs to be relocated; the current site is not permitted.

Transportation:
Shaktoolik is primarily accessible by air and sea. A State-owned 4,000' long by 75' wide gravel airstrip is available. The Alex Sookiayak Memorial Airstrip allows for regular service from Nome. Summer travel is by 4-wheel ATV, motorbike, truck and boat; winter travel is by snowmachine and dog team. Cargo is barged to Nome, then lightered to shore. The community has no docking facilities.

Climate:
Shaktoolik has a subarctic climate with maritime influences when Norton Sound is ice-free, usually from May to October. Summer temperatures average 47 to 62; winter temperatures average -4 to 11. Extremes from -50 to 87 have been recorded. Average annual precipitation is 14 inches, including 43 inches of snowfall.


*Source: Alaska Department of Community & Economic Development