Anchorage Daily News

Goodnews Bay

POPULATION: 235 (2007)

LOCATION: On the north shore of Goodnews Bay at the mouth of Goodnews River, 116 air miles south of Bethel and 400 miles west of Anchorage.

DESCRIPTION: A traditional Eskimo village practicing a subsistence, trapping and fishing lifestyle. Nearly 94 percent of the population is wholly or partly Alaska Native. The city, school, local businesses and commercial fishing provide most of the income, supplemented by subsistence activities. About half the residents engage in trapping. During the April 2000 U.S. Census, 59 residents were employed, per capita income was $6,851 and almost 40 percent of residents were living below the official U.S. poverty level. There is one school, attended by about 70 students.

HISTORY: Yup'ik Eskimos called this village "Mumtraq" and moved it to the present location after constant flooding and storms at the old site. In the 1930s, a government school and post office were built. Goodnews Bay was incorporated in 1970. A high school was built in 1979.

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