The racial makeup of the city was 9.50% White, 89.14% Native American, 0.45% Pacific Islander, and 0.90% from two or more races.

23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 37.3% of families and 45.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 51.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 39.1% of those 65 or over.

The village was originally located on the north shore of Six Mile Lake, but was moved to the present location in 1940, due to the depletion of wood and the growth of mud flats.

There is a food store with a post office attached, a state-certified public school providing pre-kindergarten through 12th grade instruction, an outpatient medical clinic with family social services, a maintained Russian Orthodox church, a fishing lodge, and a water purification plant.

Uncertified water is usually piped to most houses; septic tanks are used for sewage; and electric power and telephone service is available.

Among the issues affecting the village at the start of the 21st century is the proposed Pebble Mine site in the vicinity of nearby Lake Iliamna.