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Administrative divisions of American Samoa

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Districts and unorganized atolls of American Samoa
CategoryCounty equivalent
LocationAmerican Samoa
Number3 districts
2 unorganized atolls
Populations31,819 (Western District) – 0 (Rose Atoll, Swains Island)
Areas27.99 sq mi (72.49 km2) (Western District) – 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) (Rose Atoll)
Government
Subdivisions

American Samoa is administratively divided into three districts (Western, Eastern and Manuʻa) and two unorganized atolls (Swains Island and Rose Atoll). The districts are subdivided into 15 counties,[a] which are composed of 76 villages.[8]

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau counts the three districts and two unorganized atolls as five county equivalents, while treating the actual counties as minor civil divisions.[9]

American Samoa has only one U.S. ZIP code: 96799.[10]

Divisions

Island/Atoll District County Villages[8]
Tutuila Western Lealataua Fagamalo, Maloata, Fagaliʻi, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, Agugulu, Utumea West, Seʻetaga, Nua, Afao, Asili, Amaluia
Fofo[a] Leone, Auma, Puapua[b]
Leasina Aasu, Aoloau, Malaeloa/Aitulagi
Tualatai Malaeloa/Ituau, Futiga, Taputimu, Vailoatai, Puapua[b]
Tualauta Vaitogi, ʻIliʻili, Tafuna,[c] Pavaʻiaʻi, Faleniu, Mapusagafou, Mesepa, Malaeimi, Nuʻuuli[d]
Eastern Ituʻau Fagasa, Nuʻuuli,[d] Faganeanea, Matuʻu, Tafuna[c]
Maʻoputasi Fatumafuti, Fagaʻlu, Utulei, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Satala, Anua, Atuʻu, Leloaloa, Aua
Vaifanua Vatia, Alao, Tula, Onenoa, ʻAoa
Sua Saʻilele, Masausi, Masefau, Afono, Lauliʻi, Aumi, Alega, Avaio, Auto, Amaua, Utusia, Fagaʻitua, Pagai[e]
Saʻole Pagai,[e] Alofau, Amouli, Auasi, Utumea East
Aunuʻu Aunuʻu
Ofu Manuʻa Ofu Ofu
Olosega Olosega Olosega, Sili
Taʻū Taʻū Siʻufaga, Luma
Faleasao Faleasao
Fitiuta Maia, Leusoaliʻi
Swains Taulaga, Etena (abandoned)[11]
Rose

Maps

Counties of American Samoa[a][8]
Villages of American Samoa[8]

Statistics

The numbers below are from the 2020 census.

island/atoll population[12][13] land area[14][15]
number % sq mi km2 %
Tutuila 48,476 97.52% 52.55 136.12 68.83%
Aunuʻu 402 0.81% 0.58 1.51 0.76%
Ofu 132 0.27% 2.82 7.31 3.70%
Olosega 147 0.30% 2.00 5.18 2.62%
Taʻū 553 1.11% 17.43 45.13 22.82%
Swains 0 0.00% 0.94 2.43 1.23%
Rose 0 0.00% 0.03 0.08 0.04%
American Samoa 49,710 100.00% 76.36 197.76 100.00%
district population[12] land area[14]
number % sq mi km2 %
Western 31,819 64.01% 27.99 71.50 36.66%
Eastern 17,059 34.32% 25.14 65.12 32.93%
Manuʻa 832 1.67% 22.25 57.62 29.14%
county population[12] land area[14]
number % sq mi km2 %
Lealataua[f] 1,496 3.01% 6.96 18.03 9.12%
Fofo[g] 2,797 5.63% 1.99 5.16 2.61%
Leasina 1,689 3.40% 7.22 18.71 9.46%
Tualatai 3,010 6.06% 2.59 6.71 3.39%
Tualauta 22,827 45.92% 9.22 23.88 12.08%
Ituʻau 3,431 6.90% 5.01 12.99 6.57%
Maʻoputasi 8,568 17.24% 6.61 17.11 8.65%
Vaifanua 1,487 2.99% 4.58 11.87 6.00%
Sua 2,415 4.86% 6.64 17.20 8.70%
Saʻole 1,158 2.33% 2.30 5.95 3.01%
Ofu 132 0.27% 2.82 7.31 3.70%
Olosega 147 0.30% 2.00 5.18 2.62%
Taʻū 236 0.47% 6.13 15.87 8.03%
Faleasao 104 0.21% 2.68 6.93 3.50%
Fitiuta 213 0.43% 8.62 22.33 11.29%
village population[13] land area[15]
number % sq mi km2 %
Fagamalo 37 0.07% 1.39 3.60 1.82%
Maloata 6 0.01% 1.20 3.10 1.57%
Fagaliʻi 163 0.33% 0.60 1.55 0.78%
Poloa 130 0.26% 0.32 0.82 0.42%
ʻAmanave 246 0.49% 0.30 0.79 0.40%
Failolo 87 0.18% 0.25 0.64 0.32%
Agugulu 42 0.08% 0.15 0.40 0.20%
Utumea West 42 0.08% 0.26 0.67 0.34%
Seʻetaga 177 0.36% 0.27 0.70 0.35%
Nua 150 0.30% 0.37 0.96 0.48%
Afao 96 0.19% 0.54 1.41 0.71%
Asili 157 0.32% 0.54 1.39 0.70%
Amaluia 163 0.33% 0.78 2.01 1.02%
Leone 1,598 3.21% 1.49 3.86 1.95%
Auma 242 0.49% 0.13 0.33 0.17%
Puapua 957 1.93% 0.37 0.97 0.49%
Aasu 425 0.85% 3.59 9.31 4.71%
Aoloau 650 1.31% 2.24 5.81 2.94%
Malaeloa/Aitulagi 614 1.24% 1.39 3.59 1.82%
Malaeloa/Ituau 424 0.85% 0.23 0.61 0.31%
Futiga 682 1.37% 1.34 3.48 1.76%
Taputimu 709 1.43% 0.61 1.58 0.80%
Vailoatai 1,195 2.40% 0.40 1.04 0.53%
Vaitogi 1,921 3.86% 1.37 3.55 1.80%
ʻIliʻili 3,073 6.18% 1.39 3.59 1.82%
Tafuna[c] 7,988 16.07% 2.48 6.42 3.25%
Pavaʻiaʻi 2,112 4.25% 0.73 1.90 0.96%
Faleniu 1,953 3.93% 0.25 0.64 0.32%
Mapusagafou 1,772 3.56% 0.80 2.06 1.04%
Mesepa 415 0.83% 0.11 0.28 0.14%
Malaeimi 1,046 2.10% 1.50 3.88 1.96%
Fagasa 577 1.16% 1.68 4.36 2.21%
Nuʻuuli[d] 4,991 10.04% 2.94 7.62 3.85%
Faganeanea 93 0.19% 0.53 1.36 0.69%
Matuʻu 317 0.64% 0.46 1.20 0.61%
Fatumafuti 72 0.14% 0.04 0.10 0.05%
Fagaʻalu 731 1.47% 0.51 1.33 0.67%
Utulei 479 0.96% 0.33 0.86 0.44%
Fagatogo 1,445 2.91% 0.66 1.72 0.87%
Pago Pago 3,000 6.04% 3.43 8.88 4.49%
Satala 218 0.44% 0.15 0.40 0.20%
Anua 473 0.95% 0.07 0.18 0.09%
Atuʻu 236 0.47% 0.06 0.16 0.08%
Leloaloa 365 0.73% 0.34 0.87 0.44%
Aua 1,549 3.12% 1.01 2.61 1.32%
Vatia 460 0.93% 2.50 6.46 3.27%
Alao 275 0.55% 0.53 1.36 0.69%
Tula 308 0.62% 0.50 1.31 0.66%
Onenoa 100 0.20% 0.39 1.01 0.51%
ʻAoa 344 0.69% 0.67 1.72 0.87%
Saʻilele 60 0.12% 0.53 1.37 0.69%
Masausi 134 0.27% 0.37 0.95 0.48%
Masefau 260 0.52% 1.63 4.23 2.14%
Afono 327 0.66% 1.03 2.68 1.35%
Lauliʻi 736 1.48% 0.52 1.34 0.68%
Aumi 176 0.35% 0.70 1.82 0.92%
Alega 29 0.06% 0.39 1.01 0.51%
Avaio 34 0.07% 0.28 0.72 0.36%
Auto 214 0.43% 0.33 0.86 0.43%
Amaua 68 0.14% 0.31 0.80 0.40%
Utusia 65 0.13% 0.12 0.30 0.15%
Fagaʻitua 287 0.58% 0.39 1.02 0.52%
Pagai[e] 81 0.16% 0.15 0.39 0.19%
Alofau 296 0.60% 0.50 1.30 0.66%
Amouli 261 0.53% 0.66 1.71 0.86%
Auasi 88 0.18% 0.26 0.66 0.34%
Utumea East 55 0.11% 0.19 0.49 0.25%
Aunuʻu 402 0.81% 0.58 1.51 0.76%
Ofu 132 0.27% 2.82 7.31 3.70%
Olosega 138 0.28% 1.21 3.13 1.58%
Sili 9 0.02% 0.79 2.04 1.03%
Siʻufaga 110 0.22% 5.77 14.93 7.55%
Luma 126 0.25% 0.36 0.94 0.48%
Faleasao 104 0.21% 2.68 6.93 3.50%
Maia 120 0.24% 4.39 11.36 5.75%
Leusoaliʻi 93 0.19% 4.23 10.97 5.54%

Local government structure

Amata Coleman Radewagen's congressional website said the following about American Samoa's districts:[20]

Each [district] is administered by a district governor who is appointed by the territorial governor. To be qualified as a district governor, an individual must hold a matai title within the district to which he/she is to be appointed.[20]

The U.S. National Park Service says the following about the structure of villages in American Samoa:[21]

In general each village is made up of a group of aiga (extended families) which include as many relatives as can be claimed. Each aiga is headed by a matai (chief) who represents the family on all matters including the village council, or fono. Matais hold title to all assets of the aigas, or families, they represent and are responsible for law enforcement and punishment of infractions occurring in their villages. The fono consists of the matais of all the aiga associated with the village. The highest chief of the matais of all the village aigas is the highest chief or the aliʻi and heads the fono. Also, each village has a pulenuʻu (somewhat like a police chief or mayor) and one or more talking chiefs, tulafale."[21]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c An American Samoan law of 1962 defined 14 counties.[1] The constitution of 1967, signed by delegates from these 14 counties, established 15 counties from then on, separating Fofo from Lealataua.[2] The election law was later revised accordingly,[3][4][5] and the government lists 15 counties, including Fofo with its own chief,[6] representative and senator.[7] The law defining the counties was not revised but the constitution overrides it where inconsistent. However, the U.S. Census Bureau continues to list 14 counties, treating Fofo as part of Lealataua.[8]
  2. ^ a b The part of Puapua east of Taputimu Road consists of lands that belong to Tualatai families and is part of that county. However, the U.S. Census Bureau includes all of Puapua in Lealataua County.[8]
  3. ^ a b c The 2020 census listed Tafuna village with a land area of 2.36 sq mi (6.11 km2) and all inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District, and an uninhabited land area of 0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2) in Ituʻau county in the Eastern District.[16][17]
  4. ^ a b c The 2020 census listed Nuʻuuli village with a land area of 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2) and 2,444 inhabitants in Ituʻau county in the Eastern District, and a land area of 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) and 2,547 inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District.[16][18]
  5. ^ a b c The 2020 census listed Pagai village with a land area of 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) and 25 inhabitants in Sua county, and a land area of 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) and 56 inhabitants in Saʻole county, all in the Eastern District.[16][19]
  6. ^ The 2020 census treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Lealataua without Fofo.[13][15]
  7. ^ The 2020 census treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Fofo.[13][15]

References

  1. ^ 5.0102 Division of districts into counties, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  2. ^ Revised Constitution of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.
  3. ^ 2.0202 Districts, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  4. ^ 2.0302 Districts, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  5. ^ 6.0102 Definitions, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  6. ^ Local Government, American Samoa Government. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020.
  7. ^ American Samoa Legislature (Fono), American Samoa Government.
  8. ^ a b c d e f 118th Congress of the United States, American Samoa, United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities, United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ American Samoa ZIP Codes, Zip-codes.com.
  11. ^ Unlocking the Secrets of Swains Island, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September 2013.
  12. ^ a b c Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ a b c d 2020 census population of American Samoa: village, United States Census Bureau.
  14. ^ a b c American Samoa County Subdivisions – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  15. ^ a b c d American Samoa Incorporated Places – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ a b c Total population, Decennial Census of Island Areas, United States Census Bureau.
  17. ^ Selection map, census block, Tablulation Block Report for Eastern District, American Samoa – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Tafuna village in Ituʻau county is census tract 9509, block 3004.
  18. ^ Selection map, census block group, American Samoa Block Groups – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Nuʻuuli village in Tualauta county is census tract 9510, block group 2.
  19. ^ Selection map, census block, Tablulation Block Report for Eastern District, American Samoa – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Pagai village in Saʻole county is census tract 9502, blocks 2017 and 2018.
  20. ^ a b Our District, American Samoa – A Territory of the United States, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen. Accessed October 25, 2023.
  21. ^ a b National Park of American Samoa, History & Culture – People, U.S. National Park Service. Accessed October 25, 2023.