City and Borough of Juneau

The City and Borough of Juneau is the unified home rule borough that contains Alaska’s capital. Formed in 1970 when the City of Juneau, the City of Douglas and the Greater Juneau Borough merged, it covers 2,716.7 square miles and had 32,202 residents in 2022.[1]

Formation

The borough was formed in 1970 through the merger of the City of Juneau, the City of Douglas and the Greater Juneau Borough, creating a unified home rule borough.[1]

History

Auke Tlingit fish camps stood at stream mouths in the area. In 1880 Auke Chief Kowee led Joe Juneau and Richard Harris to Gold Creek, where they found gold and a camp that became Juneau followed. The Treadwell Mine employed about 2,000 people and produced $66 million in gold over 35 years, and the Alaska-Juneau Mine produced more than $80 million before closing in 1944.[1]

Government offices moved from Sitka to Juneau in 1906, and Juneau was named the capital in the acts that made Alaska a territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It was Alaska’s largest city from about 1910 to 1950.[1]

Historic districts

The Juneau Downtown Historic District and the Chicken Ridge Historic District are among the historic areas, and the National Register lists about two dozen Juneau properties, including the Alaska Governor’s Mansion and the Juneau Memorial Library. A nine-member advisory committee oversees historic resources.[1]

FAQs

When was the borough formed? 1970.

How large is it? 2,716.7 square miles.

Why is Juneau the capital? Territorial and statehood acts named it the capital.

Sources

1. Alaska Department of Natural Resources: City and Borough of Juneau

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue