Olosega County

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Olosega County
Aerial view of Olosega
Interactive map of Olosega County
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates14°10′36.39″S 169°37′26.79″W / 14.1767750°S 169.6241083°W / -14.1767750; -169.6241083
ArchipelagoOfu-Olosega
Administration
Manu'a District
Demographics
Populationc. 147 (2020)

Olosega County is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa. It comprises the eastern half of the twin islands of Ofu-Olosega. It includes the villages of Olosega and Sili, and was home to roughly 147 residents in 2020. The topography is characterized by volcanic terrain, and coral reefs in the surrounding seas with diverse aquatic life.

Geography

Olosega is a county in the Manu'a District in American Samoa.[1] It comprises the eastern half of the twin islands of Ofu-Olosega, and includes the villages of Olosega and Sili.[2][3][4] The twin islands are located approximately 65 miles (105 km) east of Tutuila, the largest island of American Samoa,[5] and Olosega is the smallest island in Manu'a.[6] Olosega County has existed since 1930, when Luanuu County was split to create separate counties of Ofu and Olosega.[7]

The name Olosega, is derived from the Samoan language and translates as "Fortress of Parakeets".[8] The islands were formed by the activity of shield volcanoes.[9] The topography consists of volcanic slopes, and coral reefs in the surrounding seas.[6]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1930438—    
1940509+16.2%
1950545+7.1%
1960429−21.3%
1970380−11.4%
YearPop.±%
1980249−34.5%
1990225−9.6%
2000216−4.0%
2010177−18.1%
2020147−16.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

Olosega County was first recorded with a population of 438 individuals in the 1930 U.S. Census.[11] The population reached its maximum in 1950 with 545 residents and has since declined to just 147 residents as of 2020.[10][12] Various fruits and nuts are grown in the region.[2]

Transportation

An airport is located in the nearby Ofu island, which is connected to Tutuila by small planes, operated by the Samoa Airways. Small boats and ferry services provide limited connectivity to the region.[13]

References

  1. "5.0102 Division of districts into counties". ASBAR. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  2. "Agricultural census records in American Samoa (1920–1990)". U.S. National Archives. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  3. "CPH-T-8. Population, Housing Units, Land Area, and Density for U.S. Island Areas: 2010" (PDF). United States Census. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  4. 1987 Census of Agriculture: Geographic area series, Parts 55-56. Bureau of the Census. 1991. p. 4.
  5. "Manuʻa Islands region overview". Office of Rep. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  6. "Olosega". Visit American Samoa. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  7. 1940 Census Populations (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau (Report). Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  8. W. Churchill (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society. 45 (3): 192. doi:10.2307/199273.
  9. "Ofu-Olosega". U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  10. "United States Census". Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  11. "American Samoa" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
  12. 2020 Census Village Populations (PDF). United States Census (Report). Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  13. "Manua islands". National Park Service. Retrieved June 1, 2025.