Akiak, Alaska
Akiak is a small Yup’ik city in the Bethel Census Area of Alaska, United States. It sits on the west bank of the Kuskokwim River, about 42 miles northeast of Bethel, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
The community covers about 3 square miles, most of which is land. The elevation is very low. As of the 2020 census, 462 people live in Akiak.
The Akiak Native Community is a federally recognized tribe here. The name Akiak means “the other side,” reflecting its location as a winter crossing to the Yukon River basin for local Yup’ik people. The town was incorporated in 1970.
Economy and daily life revolve around subsistence living and fishing. Many residents work for the city, the school, or other public services, and some engage in commercial fishing or seasonal work. The town is working on water and sewer improvements, and electricity is provided by the city.
Facilities include Edith Kawagley Memorial Clinic and Akiak School, which serves about 99 students. The town has a gravel airport used year-round, and people get around by snow machines, ATVs, and boats. There are no docking facilities for ships, and alcohol is banned in Akiak.
A notable place in Akiak is a large museum of taxidermy.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:22 (CET).