Signature · 1 LILA tracts (50% of tracts)

Aleutians West Census Area, AK

Aleutians West Census Area's signature pressure is desert tracts: 1 LILA tracts (50% of the book) alongside 21.4% low-access.

21.4%
low-access pop.
1
food-desert tracts
4.8%
on SNAP
5K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 AK

USDA FARA access plate

County Aleutians West Census Area, AK

LA-ELEVATED · PHOTO-FINISH · LILA-SINGLE · SNAP-LIGHT · VEH-OK · DENSITY-DENSE

  • LA-ELEVATED 21.4% low-access
  • PHOTO-FINISH -0.7 pts vs US
  • LILA-SINGLE 1 food-desert tract
  • SNAP-LIGHT 4.8% SNAP
  • VEH-OK 5.3% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-DENSE 50% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Wrangell City and Borough (+ 0.0 pts)

The food-access picture

According to the USDA Food Access Research Atlas, Aleutians West Census Area ranks #1,568 of 3,079 U.S. counties by low-access share and #20 of 27 counties in AK (21.4% low-access; 1 food-desert tracts).

#1,568
national by low-access %
#20
in AK
1
low-access tracts
434
food-desert residents

Low access = living more than 1 mile (urban) or 10 miles (rural) from the nearest supermarket. Food deserts add a low-income condition (USDA LILA).

Signature read: 1 LILA tracts (50% of tracts) .

How Aleutians West Census Area compares nationally

Relative to the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA food-access data, Aleutians West Census Area's 21.4% low-access share is elevated, higher than 50% of them and ranked #1,574 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Aleutians West Census Area: USDA Food-Access Tier Breakdown

2 census tracts grouped by USDA classification · 1 LILA.

Food access tier distribution for Aleutians West Census Area, AK USDA-defined food-access tiers: 1 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 0 limited, 1 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 2 tracts evaluated. 1 tracts adequate (50.0%) 1 tracts severe / food desert (50.0%) Adequate 50% Limited 0% Severe 50% Food-access tier distribution: Aleutians West Census Area, AK
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Aleutians West Census Area has 0 urban and 2 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Aleutians West Census Area low-access neighbourhood

Poles + nearest peers in Alaska, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

Food Access (USDA FARA 2019)

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Aleutians West Census Area
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts2
Atlas Population (2010 basis)5,561
Low-Access Tracts1
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)1
Low-Access Population1,190
Low-Access Share21.4%near the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population434

ACS 2024 · lower SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Aleutians West Census Area
IndicatorValue
Population5,235
Median Household Income$135,500
Poverty Rate11.3%below the national average
SNAP Households46
SNAP Participation Rate4.8%well below the national average
Households Without a Vehicle5.3%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population36.1%

SNAP retailers in Aleutians West Census Area

Aleutians West Census Area has 6 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 4 store categories. Convenience Store lead with 3 locations (50% of the total), followed by combination grocery/other.

Convenience Store · 3

  • atka native store, tka
  • st. george canteen, st. george island
  • three bears alaska dutch harbor 132, unalaska

Combination Grocery/Other · 1

  • aleut community store, saint paul island

Super Store · 1

  • three bears alaska dutch harbor 130, dutch harbor

Supermarket · 1

  • safeway 1834, unalaska

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in Alaska

One of 29 counties in Alaska, 6 are shown here.

Compare Aleutians West Census Area vs Aleutians East Borough → · All Alaska counties →

Food access nationally, Alaska in context

Aleutians West Census Area sits inside Alaska (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Aleutians West Census Area, AK are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 02016. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.