Tuālāuta County is a county in the Western District in American Samoa.[1][2][3] It is the largest and also the most populated county in American Samoa. The county is represented by two seats in the Senate and two seats in House of Representatives in the American Samoa Legislature.[4] 'Ili'ili is the principal place in Tualauta County, a county which consists of 'Ili'ili, Pava'ia'i, Mapusaga, Faleniu, Mesepa, Malae'imi, Tafuna, and Vaitogi.[5]
As of 2015, the county has a population of 19,519 residents.[6] Tualauta County has the highest number of registered voters in American Samoa: 2,033 female voters and 1,660 male voters (3,693 total voters). However, in terms of votes cast in the 2016 election, more votes were cast in Maoputasi County. Tualauta County also has the highest number of voters between the ages of 18 and 35 with 2,105.[7]
Tualauta County, which is the most populated county in American Samoa, had the highest number of housing units according to the 2010 U.S. census with 4,080 units, followed by 1,999 housing units for Maoputasi County.[8] Tualauta County has experienced a large population increase and, as of the 2010 U.S. census, the county had over double the number of residents as Maoputasi County (home to the territorial capital of Pago Pago).[9]
At 9.91 square miles (25.7 km2), it is the largest county in American Samoa.[10]
Tuālāuta contains most of Tutuila Island's flatland, including the Tafuna Plain.[11]
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | 574 | — |
| 1920 | 651 | +13.4% |
| 1930 | 812 | +24.7% |
| 1940 | 944 | +16.3% |
| 1950 | 1,838 | +94.7% |
| 1960 | 2,141 | +16.5% |
| 1970 | 3,671 | +71.5% |
| 1980 | 6,855 | +86.7% |
| 1990 | 14,724 | +114.8% |
| 2000 | 22,025 | +49.6% |
| 2010 | 20,858 | −5.3% |
| 2020 | 22,827 | +9.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] | ||
Tuālāuta County was first recorded beginning with the 1912 special census. Regular decennial censuses were taken beginning in 1920.[13] Between 2010–2020, Tuālāuta was the only county in American Samoa to experience a population increase. The population here increased by 9.4 percent, while American Samoa as a whole experienced a 10.5 percent population decline. This large increase was largely due to a 57 percent population growth in the village of Mapusagafou. Population growth also occurred in Faleniu (2.9%) and in Tāfuna (0.5%). Population declines were seen in Pava'ia'i (−13.8%), Malaeimi (−11.5%), 'Ili'ili (−3.8%), and in Vaitogi (−1.9%).[14]
Villages
Landmarks
- American Samoa Community College, in Mapusaga
- Cathedral of the Holy Family, in Tāfuna
- Fogāma'a Crater National Natural Landmark, in Vaitogi
- 'Ili'ili Golf Course, in 'Ili'ili
- Lions Park, in Tāfuna
- Pago Pago International Airport, in Tāfuna
- Tradewinds Hotel, at Ottoville
- Turtle and Shark site, in Vaitogi
- Tia Seu Lupe historical site, at Fatuoaiga
- Tony Solaita Baseball Field, in Tāfuna
- Veterans Memorial Stadium, in Tāfuna
References
14°21′6″S 170°44′49″W / 14.35167°S 170.74694°W