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)
Areas27.51 sq mi (71.25 km2) (Western District) – 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) (Rose Atoll)
Government
  • Local government
Subdivisions
  • Counties and villages

American Samoa is administratively divided into three districts (Western, Eastern and Manu‘a) and two unorganized atolls (Swains Island and Rose Atoll). The districts are subdivided into 15 counties,[a] which are composed of 76 villages.[11]

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.[12]

American Samoa has only one U.S. zip code: 96799.[13]

Divisions[]

Politics of American Samoa
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island/atoll district county villages[11]
Tutuila Western Lealataua Fagamalo, , Fagali‘i, Poloa, Amanave, Failolo, Agugulu, , , , Afao, Asili, Amaluia
[a] Leone, ,
Leasina Aasu,[b] Aoloau, Malaeloa/Aitulagi
Tualatai Malaeloa/Ituau, Futiga, Taputimu, Vailoatai
Tualauta Vaitogi, Ili‘ili, Tafuna,[c] Pava‘ia‘i, Faleniu, Mapusagafou, Mesepa, Malaeimi[d]
Eastern Itu‘au Fagasa, Nu‘uuli,[e] ,
Ma‘oputasi Fatumafuti, Faga‘alu, Utulei, Fagatogo, Pago Pago, Satala, Anua, Atu‘u, Leloaloa, Aua
Vaifanua Vatia, Alao, Tula, , Aoa
Sua Sa‘ilele, , , Afono, Lauli‘i, Aumi, Alega, , Auto, Amaua, , Faga‘itua, Pagai[f]
Sa‘ole Pagai,[f] Alofau, Amouli, Auasi,
Aunu‘u Aunu‘u
Ofu Manu‘a Ofu Ofu
Olosega Olosega Olosega, Sili
Ta‘ū Ta‘ū , Luma
Faleasao Faleasao
Fitiuta Maia, Leusoali‘i
Swains — — Taulaga, Etena (abandoned)[14]
Rose — — —

Maps[]

Counties of American Samoa[a][15]
Villages of American Samoa[15]

Statistics[]

The populations below are from the 2020 census, and the areas are from the 2010 census.

  • island/atoll population[8][9] land area[10][11]
    number % sq mi km2 %
    Tutuila 48,476 97.52% 52.62 136.29 68.82%
    Aunu‘u 402 0.81% 0.58 1.50 0.76%
    Ofu 132 0.27% 2.84 7.36 3.71%
    Olosega 147 0.30% 2.04 5.28 2.67%
    Ta‘ū 553 1.11% 17.41 45.09 22.77%
    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% 76.46 198.03 100.00%
    district population[8] land area[10]
    number % sq mi km2 %
    Western[b][c][d][e] 31,819 64.01% 27.51 71.25 35.98%
    Eastern[b][c][d][e] 17,059 34.32% 25.69 66.54 33.60%
    Manu‘a 832 1.67% 22.29 57.73 29.15%
    county population[8] land area[10]
    number % sq mi km2 %
    Lealataua[g] 1,496 3.01% 6.98 18.08 9.13%
    [h] 2,797 5.63% 1.99 5.15 2.60%
    Leasina[b] 1,689 3.40% 7.03 18.21 9.19%
    Tualatai 3,010 6.06% 2.61 6.76 3.41%
    Tualauta[c][d][e] 22,827 45.92% 8.89 23.02 11.63%
    Itu‘au[b][c][d][e] 3,431 6.90% 5.56 14.40 7.27%
    Ma‘oputasi 8,568 17.24% 6.63 17.17 8.67%
    Vaifanua 1,487 2.99% 4.60 11.91 6.02%
    Sua 2,415 4.86% 6.60 17.09 8.63%
    Sa‘ole 1,158 2.33% 2.31 5.98 3.02%
    Ofu 132 0.27% 2.84 7.36 3.71%
    Olosega 147 0.30% 2.04 5.28 2.67%
    Ta‘ū 236 0.47% 6.13 15.88 8.02%
    Faleasao 104 0.21% 2.68 6.94 3.51%
    Fitiuta 213 0.43% 8.60 22.27 11.25%
  •      
  • village population[9] land area[11]
    number % sq mi km2 %
    Fagamalo 37 0.07% 1.39 3.60 1.82%
    6 0.01% 1.21 3.13 1.58%
    Fagali‘i 163 0.33% 0.60 1.55 0.78%
    Poloa 130 0.26% 0.32 0.83 0.42%
    Amanave 246 0.49% 0.30 0.78 0.39%
    Failolo 87 0.18% 0.25 0.65 0.33%
    Agugulu 42 0.08% 0.15 0.39 0.20%
    42 0.08% 0.26 0.67 0.34%
    177 0.36% 0.27 0.70 0.35%
    150 0.30% 0.37 0.96 0.48%
    Afao 96 0.19% 0.54 1.40 0.71%
    Asili 157 0.32% 0.54 1.40 0.71%
    Amaluia 163 0.33% 0.78 2.02 1.02%
    Leone 1,598 3.21% 1.49 3.86 1.95%
    242 0.49% 0.13 0.34 0.17%
    957 1.93% 0.37 0.96 0.48%
    Aasu[b] 425 0.85% 3.44 8.91 4.50%
    Aoloau 650 1.31% 2.24 5.80 2.93%
    Malaeloa/Aitulagi 614 1.24% 1.39 3.60 1.82%
    Malaeloa/Ituau 424 0.85% 0.23 0.60 0.30%
    Futiga 682 1.37% 1.35 3.50 1.77%
    Taputimu 709 1.43% 0.62 1.61 0.81%
    Vailoatai 1,195 2.40% 0.41 1.06 0.54%
    Vaitogi 1,921 3.86% 1.38 3.57 1.80%
    Ili‘ili 3,073 6.18% 1.39 3.60 1.82%
    Tafuna[c] 7,988 16.07% 2.49 6.45 3.26%
    Pava‘ia‘i 2,112 4.25% 0.73 1.89 0.95%
    Faleniu 1,953 3.93% 0.25 0.65 0.33%
    Mapusagafou 1,772 3.56% 0.80 2.07 1.05%
    Mesepa 415 0.83% 0.11 0.28 0.14%
    Malaeimi[d] 1,046 2.10% 1.65 4.27 2.16%
    Fagasa 577 1.16% 1.65 4.27 2.16%
    Nu‘uuli[e] 4,991 10.04% 2.97 7.69 3.88%
    93 0.19% 0.53 1.37 0.69%
    317 0.64% 0.47 1.22 0.61%
    Fatumafuti 72 0.14% 0.04 0.10 0.05%
    Faga‘alu 731 1.47% 0.45 1.17 0.59%
    Utulei 479 0.96% 0.33 0.85 0.43%
    Fagatogo 1,445 2.91% 0.71 1.84 0.93%
    Pago Pago 3,000 6.04% 3.43 8.88 4.49%
    Satala 218 0.44% 0.15 0.39 0.20%
    Anua 473 0.95% 0.07 0.18 0.09%
    Atu‘u 236 0.47% 0.06 0.16 0.08%
    Leloaloa 365 0.73% 0.34 0.88 0.44%
    Aua 1,549 3.12% 1.05 2.72 1.37%
    Vatia 460 0.93% 2.50 6.47 3.27%
    Alao 275 0.55% 0.53 1.37 0.69%
    Tula 308 0.62% 0.51 1.32 0.67%
    100 0.20% 0.40 1.04 0.52%
    Aoa 344 0.69% 0.67 1.74 0.88%
    Sa‘ilele 60 0.12% 0.54 1.40 0.71%
    134 0.27% 0.37 0.96 0.48%
    260 0.52% 1.64 4.25 2.14%
    Afono 327 0.66% 0.98 2.54 1.28%
    Lauli‘i 736 1.48% 0.52 1.35 0.68%
    Aumi 176 0.35% 0.70 1.81 0.92%
    Alega 29 0.06% 0.39 1.01 0.51%
    34 0.07% 0.28 0.73 0.37%
    Auto 214 0.43% 0.33 0.85 0.43%
    Amaua 68 0.14% 0.31 0.80 0.41%
    65 0.13% 0.12 0.31 0.16%
    Faga‘itua 287 0.58% 0.39 1.01 0.51%
    Pagai[f] 81 0.16% 0.15 0.39 0.20%
    Alofau 296 0.60% 0.50 1.29 0.65%
    Amouli 261 0.53% 0.66 1.71 0.86%
    Auasi 88 0.18% 0.26 0.67 0.34%
    55 0.11% 0.19 0.49 0.25%
    Aunu‘u 402 0.81% 0.58 1.50 0.76%
    Ofu 132 0.27% 2.84 7.36 3.71%
    Olosega 138 0.28% 1.22 3.16 1.60%
    Sili 9 0.02% 0.81 2.10 1.06%
    110 0.22% 5.77 14.94 7.55%
    Luma 126 0.25% 0.36 0.93 0.47%
    Faleasao 104 0.21% 2.68 6.94 3.51%
    Maia 120 0.24% 4.38 11.34 5.73%
    Leusoali‘i 93 0.19% 4.22 10.93 5.52%

Local government structure[]

Amata Coleman Radewagen's congressional website said the following about American Samoa's districts:[16]

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.[16]

The U.S. National Park Service says the following about the structure of villages in American Samoa:[17]

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. Matai's 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 ali'i and heads the fono. Also, each village has a pulenu'u (somewhat like a police chief or mayor) and one or more talking chiefs, tulafale."[17]

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][9][10][11]
  2. ^ a b c d e f The 2010 census listed Aasu village with a land area of 3.40 sq mi (8.81 km2) and all inhabitants in Leasina county in the Western District, and an uninhabited land area of 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) in Itu‘au county in the Eastern District.[11]
  3. ^ a b c d e f The 2010 census listed Tafuna village with a land area of 2.28 sq mi (5.91 km2) and almost all inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District, and a land area of 0.21 sq mi (0.54 km2) and few inhabitants in Itu‘au county in the Eastern District.[11]
  4. ^ a b c d e f The 2010 census listed Malaeimi village with a land area of 1.39 sq mi (3.60 km2) and all inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District, and an uninhabited land area of 0.26 sq mi (0.67 km2) in Itu‘au county in the Eastern District.[11]
  5. ^ a b c d e f The 2010 census listed Nu‘uuli village with a land area of 2.41 sq mi (6.24 km2) and some inhabitants in Itu‘au county in the Eastern District, and a land area of 0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2) and some inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District.[11]
  6. ^ a b c The 2010 census listed Pagai village with a land area of 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) and some inhabitants in Sua county, and a land area of 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) and some inhabitants in Sa‘ole county, all in the Eastern District.[11]
  7. ^ The censuses of 2010 and 2020 treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Lealataua without Fofo.[9][11]
  8. ^ The censuses of 2010 and 2020 treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Fofo.[9][11]

References[]

  1. ^ 5.0102 Division of districts into counties, American Samoa Bar Association.
  2. ^ Revised Constitution of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.
  3. ^ 2.0202 Districts, American Samoa Bar Association.
  4. ^ 2.0302 Districts, American Samoa Bar Association.
  5. ^ 6.0102 Definitions, 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 Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  9. ^ a b c d e 2020 census population of American Samoa: village, United States Census Bureau.
  10. ^ a b c d Population, housing units, land area, and density by district and island and county for American Samoa: 2010, United States Census Bureau.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Population, housing units, land area, and density by place for American Samoa: 2010, United States Census Bureau.
  12. ^ States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities, United States Census Bureau.
  13. ^ American Samoa ZIP Codes, Zip-codes.com.
  14. ^ Unlocking the Secrets of Swains Island, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September 2013.
  15. ^ a b 117th Congress of the United States, American Samoa, United States Census Bureau.
  16. ^ a b https://radewagen.house.gov/about/our-district Radewagen.house.gov. Our District. American Samoa - A Territory of the United States. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  17. ^ a b https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/historyculture/people.htm U.S. National Park Service. National Park of American Samoa. History & Culture - People. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
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