County · Alaska
North Slope Borough, Alaska
North Slope Borough, Alaska. North Slope Borough had 10,582 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.1% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. It holds 9 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 02185.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,582
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 11,031 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,810
Median household income
$95,694
±$16,311 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$218,300
±$20,831 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,254
±$134 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
How many people live in North Slope Borough, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 11,031 residents in North Slope Borough. The Census Bureau estimates 10,582 for July 1, 2025, down 4.1% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,810 over 88,793 square miles of land.
| Measure | North Slope Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,810 | 735,706 | +1,018 |
| Households | 2,281±121 | 270,533 | +302 |
| Average household size | 3.40±0.11 | 2.61 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,642±107 | 328,491 | no clear change |
North Slope Borough's population since 2000
From 7,385 in 2000 to 10,582 in 2025: up 43.3%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in North Slope Borough?
North Slope Borough holds 9 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Utqiaġvik with 4,640 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Utqiaġvik | 4,927 | $115,313 |
|---|---|---|
| Prudhoe BayGEOID 0264380 | 1,310 | not published |
| Point Hope | 830 | $74,844 |
| Wainwright | 628 | $93,750 |
| Nuiqsut | 512 | $78,438 |
| Anaktuvuk PassGEOID 0202080 | 425 | $95,500 |
| Point LayGEOID 0261700 | 330 | $104,063 |
| KaktovikGEOID 0236990 | 283 | $93,750 |
| AtqasukGEOID 0204500 | 276 | $90,625 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in North Slope Borough?
The median resident of North Slope Borough is 35.0 years old; 25.7% are under 18 and 8.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 48.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 31.0%. 6.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | North Slope Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.0±1.2 | 35.8 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 25.7%±0.6 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.1%±1.0 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.4% | 7.3% | +3.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 31.0%±0.3 pts | 57.7% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.2%±0.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 5.4%±0.7 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 48.7%±1.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.9%±0.2 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 6.2%±1.9 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.8%±1.4 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 37.7%±3.5 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 4.7%±1.8 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 12.9%±1.9 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.5%±2.4 pts | 11.0% | −5.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 87.3%±2.4 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.6%±3.0 pts | 31.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.0%±1.7 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 3.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Slope Borough earn?
Half of North Slope Borough's 2,281 households earn less than $95,694 a year (±$16,311), against $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 it was $97,601 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Slope Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $95,694±$16,311 | $92,788 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $127,358±$14,607 | $118,985 | – |
| Per capita income | $57,430±$4,872 | $46,573 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.1%±2.4 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 13.4%±5.0 pts | 12.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.0%±3.5 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 75.1%±4.7 pts | 91.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Slope Borough?
Owners occupy 49.1% of North Slope Borough's occupied homes and renters 50.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $218,300 by its owner (±$20,831). The median renter pays $1,254 a month including utilities, and 25.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | North Slope Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $218,300±$20,831 | $352,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,254±$134 | $1,419 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.4%±9.9 pts | 35.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,763±$393 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 49.1%±6.0 pts | 66.8% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,642±107 | 328,491 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±3.1 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 71.1%±4.6 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is North Slope Borough building?
Builders took permits for 5 new housing units across North Slope Borough in 2025 (5 single-family), 0.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in North Slope Borough get to work?
24.8% of North Slope Borough's workers drive alone and 5.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 13.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.6%.
| Measure | North Slope Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 74.2%±2.6 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.6%±1.6 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 24.8%±4.5 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 21.5%±5.2 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.2%±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 33.4%±6.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.6%±2.7 pts | 9.7% | +3.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.0 min±5.9 | 19.4 min | +6.9 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are North Slope Borough's census tracts?
North Slope Borough is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $89,118 (Tract 2) to $115,313 (Tract 1).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does North Slope Borough compare with Alaska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 9th of 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 21st of 30 |
| Residents per square mile | 26th of 30 |
| Median household income | 5th of 30 |
| Median home value | 23rd of 30 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 30 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 27 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23rd of 27 |
| Median age | 23rd of 30 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for North Slope Borough are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.