County · Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska. Northwest Arctic Borough had 7,095 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 9.0% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. It holds 12 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 02188.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
7,095
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 7,793 · ACS 2020-2024: 7,441
Median household income
$84,018
±$4,761 (90% margin)
Alaska: $92,788
Median home value
$199,100
±$28,443 (90% margin)
Alaska: $352,900
Median gross rent
$1,350
±$151 (90% margin)
Alaska: $1,419
How many people live in Northwest Arctic Borough, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 7,793 residents in Northwest Arctic Borough. The Census Bureau estimates 7,095 for July 1, 2025, down 9.0% since 2020, while Alaska grew 0.5%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 7,441 over 35,672 square miles of land.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 7,441 | 735,706 | −274 |
| Households | 1,825±65 | 270,533 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.81±0.14 | 2.61 | −0.25 |
| Housing units | 2,744±38 | 328,491 | no clear change |
Northwest Arctic Borough's population since 2000
From 7,208 in 2000 to 7,095 in 2025: down 1.6%. 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 Northwest Arctic Borough?
Northwest Arctic Borough holds 12 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Kotzebue with 2,876 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kotzebue | 3,102 | $110,357 |
|---|---|---|
| Selawik | 809 | $52,500 |
| Noorvik | 694 | $63,750 |
| Noatak | 570 | $83,750 |
| Buckland | 550 | $58,990 |
| Kiana | 447 | $68,333 |
| Kivalina | 444 | $72,589 |
| AmblerGEOID 0201970 | 274 | $40,556 |
| ShungnakGEOID 0270100 | 272 | $78,750 |
| KobukGEOID 0240840 | 191 | $37,917 |
| DeeringGEOID 0218510 | 182 | $58,333 |
| Red Dog MineGEOID 0264980 | 5 | not published |
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 Northwest Arctic Borough?
The median resident of Northwest Arctic Borough is 28.8 years old; 37.3% are under 18 and 8.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 80.6%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 9.2%. 2.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 28.8±0.6 | 35.8 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 37.3%±0.4 pts | 24.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 8.5%±0.2 pts | 13.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.3% | 7.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 9.2%±0.3 pts | 57.7% | −1.6 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.9 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.6 pts | 6.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 80.6%±1.5 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.8%±1.2 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.2%±1.4 pts | 7.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 25.1%±2.2 pts | 15.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6%±1.5 pts | 10.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.7%±1.1 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 18.1%±2.6 pts | 11.0% | −7.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.3%±1.4 pts | 93.6% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 10.6%±2.5 pts | 31.7% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.2%±2.4 pts | 11.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±1.5 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 Northwest Arctic Borough earn?
Half of Northwest Arctic Borough's 1,825 households earn less than $84,018 a year (±$4,761), against $92,788 in Alaska. In 2015-2019 the median was $74,957 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,061 after inflation. 17.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $84,018±$4,761 | $92,788 | +$9,061 |
| Mean household income | $104,843±$6,375 | $118,985 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,256±$2,892 | $46,573 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 17.9%±2.4 pts | 10.1% | −8.2 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.5%±4.1 pts | 12.2% | −7.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 35.8%±3.6 pts | 10.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.6%±2.2 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 Northwest Arctic Borough?
Owners occupy 64.4% of Northwest Arctic Borough's occupied homes and renters 35.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,100 by its owner (±$28,443). The median renter pays $1,350 a month including utilities, and 14.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $199,100±$28,443 | $352,900 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $1,350±$151 | $1,419 | −$255 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 14.9%±5.6 pts | 35.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,525±$190 | $2,229 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 64.4%±2.6 pts | 66.8% | +8.2 pts |
| Housing units | 2,744±38 | 328,491 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0%±2.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.1%±1.4 pts | 7.0% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.7%±1.6 pts | 63.2% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0%±0.9 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.1%±0.2 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 Northwest Arctic Borough building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Northwest Arctic Borough in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.3 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 Northwest Arctic Borough get to work?
15.9% of Northwest Arctic Borough's workers drive alone and 5.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 5.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 16.7%.
| Measure | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.8%±3.4 pts | 66.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 16.7%±2.4 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 15.9%±2.5 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5%±2.6 pts | 11.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.5 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Walked | 44.5%±3.9 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.3%±1.4 pts | 9.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 5.9 min±0.5 | 19.4 min | no clear change |
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 Northwest Arctic Borough's census tracts?
Northwest Arctic Borough is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $63,750 (Tract 1) to $110,357 (Tract 2).
| Tract 102188000100 | 4,457±24 | $63,750 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 202188000200 | 2,984±24 | $110,357 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Northwest Arctic Borough compare with Alaska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 13th of 30 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 29th of 30 |
| Residents per square mile | 24th of 30 |
| Median household income | 14th of 30 |
| Median home value | 25th of 30 |
| Median gross rent | 11th of 30 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 27 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27th of 27 |
| Median age | 29th 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 Northwest Arctic 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.