Population 10,810 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in North Slope Borough
Household size in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.47 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.36 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.44 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.46 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −1.01 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in North Slope Borough are large by national standards, averaging 3.46 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has dropped from 4.47 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.4 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 32.7 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.0 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.5 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.0, North Slope Borough is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 26.4, in line with the national trend. Residents skew youngest in the southwest and oldest in the east.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.9% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.5% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 29.4% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 29.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.4 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in North Slope Borough: 29.4% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. North Slope Borough has a higher share of single-parent households than at least four in five Alaska counties.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in North Slope Borough
Renters in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.7% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 50.9% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.3% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.9% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in North Slope Borough rent: 50.9% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. Among homeowners, 65.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Only one other Alaska county has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.3% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.3% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.0% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.0% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.3 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.0% of the housing in North Slope Borough, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 8.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in North Slope Borough are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1984, versus 1980 across the U.S. Alaska as a whole looks much the same. Compared with other Alaska counties, though, North Slope Borough has older homes than most.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $946 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,053 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $978 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,252 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$305 | +$451 | +$606 |
Rent in North Slope Borough runs $1,252 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $305 a month from 2006–10, a 32% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 17.0% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in North Slope Borough
Bachelor's degrees in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.6% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.8% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.5% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 13.8% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in North Slope Borough: 13.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the southwest. North Slope Borough has a lower share of college graduates than the great majority of Alaska counties.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.6% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.0% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 87.0% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 85.9% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About one in seven adults in North Slope Borough never finished high school, more than nationally: 85.9% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 9.3 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. North Slope Borough has a lower share of high school graduates than the great majority of Alaska counties.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in North Slope Borough
| Period | North Slope Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.1% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.0% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 10.2% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −13.9 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in North Slope Borough: 10.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 13.9 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
North Slope Borough compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Slope Borough | 3.46 | 32.0 | 29.4% | 50.9% | 14.0% | 1984 | $1,252 | 13.8% | 85.9% | 10.2% |
| Northwest Arctic Borough | 3.91 | 27.5 | 29.8% | 35.6% | 33.1% | 1987 | $1,152 | 9.5% | 84.5% | 19.2% |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 2.06 | 38.3 | 19.2% | 30.1% | 37.3% | 1984 | $1,009 | 16.1% | 87.6% | 6.4% |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | 2.61 | 35.5 | 8.1% | 38.3% | 13.7% | 1986 | $1,489 | 32.4% | 94.9% | 5.4% |
| Denali Borough | 2.12 | 43.4 | 2.1% | 35.0% | 56.6% | 1989 | $898 | 26.1% | 92.8% | 1.0% |
| Nome Census Area | 3.38 | 28.8 | 30.0% | 33.2% | 30.6% | 1985 | $1,264 | 13.7% | 89.6% | 18.4% |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 2.49 | 39.3 | 8.7% | 25.3% | 27.5% | 1990 | $1,369 | 22.2% | 93.8% | 5.8% |
| Kusilvak Census Area | 4.17 | 23.7 | 32.7% | 30.2% | 19.9% | 1990 | $841 | 5.5% | 80.5% | 21.1% |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 2.80 | 37.5 | 10.4% | 22.8% | 15.6% | 1998 | $1,462 | 24.1% | 94.0% | 5.8% |
| Copper River Census Area | 2.18 | 48.5 | 8.6% | 31.5% | 46.9% | 1986 | $1,100 | 23.7% | 90.8% | 4.5% |
| Anchorage Municipality | 2.70 | 36.6 | 12.0% | 36.1% | 10.3% | 1983 | $1,728 | 38.5% | 93.9% | 4.6% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Bland County, VA · Bethel Census Area, AK · Bienville Parish, LA · Big Horn County, MT · Big Horn County, WY · Big Stone County, MN · Blackford County, IN · Blaine County, MT · Blaine County, OK · Bertie County, NC
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up North Slope Borough. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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