Boroughs and Census Areas of Alaska

Boroughs and census areas are the county-equivalent divisions of Alaska, which has no counties. The state has 19 organized boroughs, which are units of local government, and 11 census areas, which are statistical divisions of the Unorganized Borough created by the U.S. Census Bureau. Together they make up 30 county equivalents. The system follows Article X of the Alaska Constitution, which calls for maximum local self-government with a minimum of local government units [1][2].

Why Alaska Has Boroughs

Alaska uses boroughs instead of counties. The framers of the constitution wanted local governments that avoid problems associated with counties, such as too many elected officials and overlapping tax authority. Article X, section 1 states the purpose as “maximum local self-government with a minimum of local government units,” and section 3 requires the entire state to be divided into organized or unorganized boroughs [2][3].

Organized Boroughs

Alaska has 19 organized boroughs, which are municipal corporations and political subdivisions of the state. In 2014 they held 658,273 residents, about 89.5 percent of the state’s population, and covered about 45 percent of its land area. The North Slope Borough is the largest by area and the Municipality of Skagway the smallest [1][2].

Borough Classes

Home-rule boroughs, either unified or non-unified, can exercise all legislative powers not prohibited by law or charter, and Anchorage and Juneau are unified home-rule governments. First-class boroughs can adopt ordinances to exercise most non-area-wide powers, and Skagway is one example. Second-class boroughs, which include Fairbanks North Star and Matanuska-Susitna, generally need voter approval for many non-area-wide powers. State law prohibits creating new third-class boroughs, though the class remains in law [1][2].

The Unorganized Borough

The Unorganized Borough covers all of Alaska outside organized boroughs, over half of the state’s area, and had about 75,441 residents, or about 10 percent of the population, in a 2025 estimate. It is not itself a borough or a municipal corporation and is administered directly by the state, which provides services through regional educational attendance areas and other service areas [1][2]. The Local Boundary Commission has long argued that a single residual unorganized borough does not meet the constitution’s intent and has defined 18 model boroughs within it [2].

Census Areas

For statistical purposes the Census Bureau divides the Unorganized Borough into 11 census areas, which are treated as county equivalents. Yukon-Koyukuk is the largest census area, with 145,576 square miles, and Aleutians West the smallest at 4,393 square miles. Bethel is the most populous census area, with 18,391 residents, and Hoonah-Angoon the least populous, with 2,271 [1].

Largest and Smallest

The North Slope Borough covers 88,824 square miles, the largest organized borough by area, while Skagway covers 434 square miles. Anchorage is the most populous borough, with 287,155 residents, and Yakutat the least populous, with 672 [1].

Cities Within Boroughs

Alaska has 144 cities, which in 2014 had 162,016 residents, about 22 percent of the state’s population. Cities in organized boroughs generally cannot operate schools, which is a borough responsibility [2]. See the entry on the Government of Alaska.

Boundaries and the Local Boundary Commission

The Local Boundary Commission oversees the creation of local governments and their boundaries, and its staff sits within the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development [2].

FAQs

Does Alaska have counties? No. Alaska has boroughs and census areas, which are treated as county equivalents.

How many boroughs does Alaska have? Nineteen organized boroughs and 11 census areas.

What is the Unorganized Borough? All of Alaska outside organized boroughs, administered directly by the state.

Which Alaska borough is largest? The North Slope Borough by area and Anchorage by population.

Who creates new boroughs? The Local Boundary Commission reviews proposals under state law.

Sources

1. Wikipedia: List of boroughs and census areas in Alaska
2. Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development: Local Government in Alaska
3. Brennan Center State Court Report: The Alaska Constitution: Reflecting the People and Territory of the 49th State

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue