The Community
The ruins of old Kaktovik can be seen from the road into the village from the airport. The community incorporated as a second class city in 1971.

Population and Economy
In 1998, there were approximately 256 residents inKaktovik and a labor force of 141. Nearly 84 percent of residents are Inupiat Eskimos. Forty-six percent of the working residents are employed by the North Slope Borough, and another 9 percent work for the School District. About one-quarter of the work force is employed in the private sector, primarily by Native corporations and their affiliates. Like other communities in the region, subsistence hunting, fishing and whaling play a major role in the local economy. Hunting in the nearby area is for Dall sheep, moose, caribou, and fox.

The community also produces arts and crafts for sale such as etched baleen, carved ivory and masks.

Quality of Life
The Borough provides Kaktovik with public electricity and delivers water at a minimum cost. The NSB also provides trash and sewage pick-up free of charge. Most households have running water and flush toilets.

The Harold Kaveolook School offers education from pre-school through grade 12 and adult basic education. Communications include phones, mail, public radio and cable TV.

A health clinic, staffed by community health aides, is open during the day and available 24 hours a day for emergencies. Kaktovik has a public safety building and a fire station equipped with fire engines and an ambulance.

The Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation runs the local store, which provides groceries, clothing, first aid, hardware, camera film and sporting goods. In the community, fishing and hunting licenses and guide services are available. Available fuel includes marine gas, diesel, propane, unleaded and regular. There are repair services for autos and aircrafts, and charter aircraft service is available.

Transportation to the village is provided by scheduled airlines and air taxi service from Barrow and Fairbanks. Freight arrives by cargo plane and barge. Kaktovik is a dry village in which the sale and possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

For More Information Contact:
City of Kaktovik
P.O. Box 27
Kaktovik, Alaska 99747
(907) 640-6313