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Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska Demographics 2026

Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska has a population of 7,611, the 13th most populous county in Alaska. The median household income is $81,298 and the median home value is $162,500. The poverty rate is 18.4%.

Northwest Arctic Borough Quick Facts

Population 7,611
Median Household Income $81,298
Median Home Value $162,500
Poverty Rate 18.4%
Unemployment Rate 16.3%
Median Age 28.3 years
Homeownership Rate 60.5%
Affordability Ratio 2.0x
Bachelor's Degree+ 12.4%
High School Graduation 85.9%
Cities/Places 0
Population 7,611 13th of 30
Median Income $81,298 9% lower state
Poverty Rate 18.4%
Unemployment 16.3%

Economy & Housing

Employment

16.3% Unemployment Rate State: 5.8% | National: 5.2%
59.0% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.5%
Renter 39.5%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

-38out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 56 | National average: 60

Education

Explore Alaska Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Northwest Arctic Borough is located in Alaska with a total population of 7,611. It is the 13th most populous county out of 30 in Alaska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Northwest Arctic Borough is 28.3 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 35.6 years. With 37.6% of the population under 18, Northwest Arctic Borough has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Northwest Arctic Borough is $81,298. This is 9% lower than the state median of $89,336. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% higher. The poverty rate stands at 18.4%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.2%. The unemployment rate is 16.3%. This is 184% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $162,500. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $333,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Northwest Arctic Borough is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.6%.

Race & Ethnicity

Northwest Arctic Borough is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Asian residents account for 2.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (9.7%) is well below the state average of 58.3%. The Black or African American population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 3.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 6.3%.

Education

12.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 60% lower than the state rate of 31.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.9%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska?

Northwest Arctic Borough has a population of 7,611, making it the 13th most populous county in Alaska.

What is the median income in Northwest Arctic Borough?

The median household income in Northwest Arctic Borough is $81,298 with a poverty rate of 18.4%.

How many cities are in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska?

Northwest Arctic Borough contains 0 Census-designated places.