Kotzebue is a city on a gravel spit at the tip of the Baldwin Peninsula on Kotzebue Sound, about 33 miles north of the Arctic Circle. It is the seat of the Northwest Arctic Borough and had 3,102 residents at the 2020 census.[1]
| Population (2020) | 3,102 |
|---|---|
| Iñupiaq name | Qikiqtaġruk |
| Post office | 1899 |
| Incorporated | 14 Oct 1958 |
History
Its location made it a trading and gathering center, with goods moving along the Noatak, Selawik and Kobuk rivers and traders arriving from the Russian Far East. The city takes its name from Kotzebue Sound, named for Otto von Kotzebue. A U.S. post office opened in 1899 and the city incorporated on 14 October 1958.[1]
Economy
Kotzebue is the economic and transportation hub for the borough and home to the NANA Regional Corporation and the Maniilaq Association, which runs the primary health care facility. A wind farm of 19 turbines has about 3 MW of installed capacity.[1]
Climate
The climate is dry subarctic. January averages −1.9°F, July averages 55.3°F, and annual snowfall averages 64.2 inches.[1]
FAQs
What is Kotzebue’s Iñupiaq name? Qikiqtaġruk.
How many people live there? 3,102 in 2020.
What corporations are based there? NANA Regional Corporation and Maniilaq Association.
Sources
Key facts
- Borough seat
- Trade hub
- Incorporated 1958
Quick checkPopulation?Show answer
3,102 (2020).
Sources
- Wikipedia. Kotzebue, Alaska. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-12)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 12, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue