Kotzebue, Alaska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kotzebue, Alaska had a total population of 2,984, the 38th largest city in Alaska, with a median household income of $110,357, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Kotzebue Quick Facts
How Kotzebue Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,046 | 2,984 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $106,328 | $110,357 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $264,500 | $288,400 | +9.0% |
How Kotzebue Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 63 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kotzebue Rankings in Alaska
Explore Alaska Rankings
Other Cities in Northwest Arctic Borough
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kivalina | 809 | $72,589 | 22.2% | $175,000 |
| Noatak | 786 | $83,750 | 10.6% | $168,800 |
| Noorvik | 748 | $63,750 | 26.0% | $157,500 |
| Buckland | 533 | $58,990 | 13.7% | $86,700 |
| Kiana | 437 | $68,333 | 17.4% | $192,500 |
| Selawik | 412 | $52,500 | 36.6% | $76,700 |
| Deering | 227 | $58,333 | 15.4% | $110,900 |
| Ambler | 182 | $40,556 | 23.6% | $96,900 |
| Shungnak | 147 | $78,750 | 24.5% | N/A |
| Kobuk | 101 | $37,917 | 25.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kotzebue
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Loop | 2,894 | $119,375 | $431,300 | 37.4% | 5.7% |
| Goldstream | 3,294 | $103,589 | $289,600 | 68.6% | 4.7% |
| Seward | 2,794 | $85,481 | $338,100 | 43.0% | 9.3% |
| Nome | 3,653 | $113,646 | $356,900 | 22.1% | 8.8% |
| Petersburg | 3,227 | $71,369 | $308,400 | 26.7% | 6.8% |
Population Overview
Kotzebue is a small community located in Alaska, within Northwest Arctic Borough. The total population is 2,984. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 326 Census-designated places in Alaska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kotzebue is 31.0 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 35.8 years. With 32.6% of the population under 18, Kotzebue has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kotzebue is $110,357. This is 19% higher than the state median of $92,788. It is also 37% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 42% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 5.9%. The median home value is $288,400. Housing costs are 18% lower than the state median of $352,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Kotzebue is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 48.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% lower than the state average of 66.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
Kotzebue is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.7%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (19.2%) is well below the state average of 57.7%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.9%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.
Education
18.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% lower than the state rate of 31.7%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kotzebue, Alaska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Alaska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 326 Census-designated places in Alaska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kotzebue, Alaska?
Kotzebue, Alaska has a population of 2,984 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kotzebue, AK?
The median household income in Kotzebue is $110,357, which is 37% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kotzebue, AK?
The poverty rate in Kotzebue is 14.4%. This means approximately 422 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kotzebue, Alaska?
Kotzebue's population is 19.2% White, 1.2% Black, 5.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kotzebue, AK?
The median home value in Kotzebue is $288,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Kotzebue, Alaska?
18.7% of adults (25+) in Kotzebue hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.