St. Mary's, AK

St. Mary's is a city in the Kusilvak Census Area of western Alaska, near the confluence of the Andreafsky and Yukon rivers. The 2020 census counted 599 residents. The city grew alongside the Yup'ik community of Andreafsky; the neighboring village joined St. Mary's in 1980, and the combined place now includes the Algaaciq Native Village and the Yupiit of Andreafsky, two federally recognized tribes. The river junction sits upstream from the Yukon Delta and makes water travel part of the community's basic geography.

ATTRAlejandro Pena / Public domain

Air and water connections matter here more than roads to the rest of Alaska. St. Mary's has a gravel airport capable of handling large aircraft, barge service, and a deep-water dock on the Andreafsky River. A 22-mile road links the city with Andreafsky, Pitkas Point, and Mountain Village, though winter travel relies heavily on snowmachines. Saint Mary's School District serves local students and has worked to bring Yup'ik language, culture, and community priorities into the classroom. St. Mary's is a city, a Yup'ik homeland, and a regional travel point at the edge of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.