Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

Northwest Arctic Borough is a borough in far northwest Alaska with its seat at Kotzebue. Formed on 2 June 1986, it covers 40,749 square miles near Kotzebue Sound and includes Cape Krusenstern National Monument.[1]

Geography

The borough lies near latitude 67 degrees north and covers 40,749 square miles, of which 35,573 are land and 5,176 are water. Kotzebue Sound lies nearby and Cape Krusenstern National Monument is in the area. Population density is about 0.18 people per square mile.[1]

Government and population

Kotzebue is the seat and largest city, and the borough was formed on 2 June 1986. The 2020 population is given as 7,793 in the article text and 7,423 in the infobox of the source, and 7,523 is listed for 2010, so the 2020 figure is approximate.[1]

Establishment and area

The Northwest Arctic Borough was established on June 2, 1986, with Kotzebue as its seat and largest city. It covers about 40,749 square miles, of which about 35,573 is land, making it by land area a bit larger than Maine. The 2020 census counted 7,793 residents [2].

Geography

The coastline lies on the Chukchi Sea, and Kotzebue Sound is a major body of water and an important wildlife area. Neighbors are the North Slope Borough to the north, the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area to the east, and the Nome Census Area to the south [2].

Communities

Communities include Kotzebue, Selawik, Noorvik, Noatak, Buckland, Kivalina, and Kiana [2].

Protected areas

Protected lands include Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve and Noatak Wilderness, and Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, plus portions of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Koyukuk National Wildlife Refuge, and Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge [2].

FAQs

What is the seat? Kotzebue.

When was it formed? 2 June 1986.

How large is it? 40,749 square miles.

When was the borough established? June 2, 1986 [2].

What is the borough seat? Kotzebue [2].

Sources

1. Wikipedia (via Wikiwand): Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
2. Wikipedia: Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska

Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 13, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue