Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the census area has a total area of 7,683 square miles (19,900 km2), of which 3,923 square miles (10,160 km2) is land and 3,760 square miles (9,700 km2) (48.9%) is water. The present-day Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area includes Prince of Wales Island, the Hyder area as an exclave, and Annette Island, which is mostly surrounded by territory of Ketchikan Gateway Borough. Before the transfer of territory, Ketchikan Gateway Borough was enclaved within (surrounded by) the census area.

Adjacent boroughs and census areas

Petersburg Borough – north

City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska – northeast

Ketchikan Gateway Borough – between Prince of Wales and Hyder

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, British Columbia, Canada – east

North Coast Regional District, British Columbia, Canada – south (water boundary only, across Dixon Entrance to Hecate Strait)

Hoonah–Angoon Census Area, Alaska

City and borough of Sitka, Alaska

National protected areas

Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (part of Gulf of Alaska unit)

Forrester Island Wilderness

Tongass National Forest (part)

Karta River Wilderness

Maurille Islands Wilderness

South Prince of Wales Wilderness

Warren Island Wilderness

Politics

Prince of Wales Hyder is something of a bellwether in Alaska, having voted for the national winner in nine of the twelve presidential elections since 1980.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,753.

The median age was 41.3 years, 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 120.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 122.3 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 41.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 44.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 11.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.8% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,312 households in the county, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 3,227 housing units, of which 28.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.7% were owner-occupied and 30.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.4%.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 6,146 people, 2,262 households, and 1,535 families residing in the then-census area. The population density was 1.57 inhabitants per square mile (0.60/km2). There were 3,055 housing units at an average density of 0.78 per square mile (0.30/km2). The racial makeup of the census area was 53.12% White, 0.15% African American, 38.68% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 7.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of any race.

Of the 2,262 households, 37.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.80% were married couples living together, 10.00% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 32.10% were non-families. 26.00% of households were one person, and 5.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the census area the population was spread out, with 31.00% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 30.10% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 5.70% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 119.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.60 males.

Communities

Unincorporated Community

Waterfall

Indian reservation

Annette Island Reserve