Population 7,441 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Northwest Arctic Borough
Household size in Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.04 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 4.06 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 4.29 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.91 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Northwest Arctic Borough are large by national standards, averaging 3.91 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has dropped from 4.04 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Alaska county has larger households.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.1 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 26.2 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 27.7 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 27.5 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.4 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
Northwest Arctic Borough is young: half of its residents are under 27.5, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward families with many children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 26.1, mirroring the country. Only one other Alaska county is younger.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.1% | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.9% | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 30.2% | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.8 pts | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about three in ten households in Northwest Arctic Borough (29.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 2.8 points, even as the national share fell. Only two of Alaska's 30 counties have a higher share of single-parent households.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
Renters in Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.3% | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 45.4% | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.8% | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 35.6% | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −10.7 pts | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Northwest Arctic Borough is about as common as it is nationally: 35.6% of households rent, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 72.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 10.7 points, even as the national share rose.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 30.1% | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.2% | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.1% | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 33.1% of the housing in Northwest Arctic 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. Vacancy has edged up 1.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1980 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1981 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1982 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +5 | +6 |
Homes in Northwest Arctic Borough are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. Alaska as a whole looks much the same. The median year built has moved up from 1980 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $899 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $993 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,079 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,152 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$252 | +$451 | +$606 |
The median renter in Northwest Arctic Borough pays $1,152 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $252 a month since 2006–10, up 28%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 20.2% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the west; the most affordable are in the southeast.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
Bachelor's degrees in Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.0% | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.1% | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Northwest Arctic Borough: 9.5% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is down 2.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only one other Alaska county has a lower share of college graduates.
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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 79.0% | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 78.9% | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 81.6% | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.5% | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.5 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over one in seven adults in Northwest Arctic Borough never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.5% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma is up 5.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Northwest Arctic 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 Northwest Arctic Borough
| Period | Northwest Arctic Borough | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.0% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 25.5% | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.0% | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.2% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.9 pts | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Finding work has been harder in Northwest Arctic Borough: 19.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well above the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Alaska county has higher unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 7.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Northwest Arctic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Arctic Borough | 3.91 | 27.5 | 29.8% | 35.6% | 33.1% | 1987 | $1,152 | 9.5% | 84.5% | 19.2% |
| Nome Census Area | 3.38 | 28.8 | 30.0% | 33.2% | 30.6% | 1985 | $1,264 | 13.7% | 89.6% | 18.4% |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 2.06 | 38.3 | 19.2% | 30.1% | 37.3% | 1984 | $1,009 | 16.1% | 87.6% | 6.4% |
| North Slope Borough | 3.46 | 32.0 | 29.4% | 50.9% | 14.0% | 1984 | $1,252 | 13.8% | 85.9% | 10.2% |
| Kusilvak Census Area | 4.17 | 23.7 | 32.7% | 30.2% | 19.9% | 1990 | $841 | 5.5% | 80.5% | 21.1% |
| Denali Borough | 2.12 | 43.4 | 2.1% | 35.0% | 56.6% | 1989 | $898 | 26.1% | 92.8% | 1.0% |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | 2.61 | 35.5 | 8.1% | 38.3% | 13.7% | 1986 | $1,489 | 32.4% | 94.9% | 5.4% |
| Bethel Census Area | 3.88 | 27.8 | 22.8% | 38.4% | 17.4% | 1989 | $1,062 | 11.5% | 81.6% | 17.8% |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | 2.80 | 37.5 | 10.4% | 22.8% | 15.6% | 1998 | $1,462 | 24.1% | 94.0% | 5.8% |
| Southeast Fairbanks Census Area | 2.49 | 39.3 | 8.7% | 25.3% | 27.5% | 1990 | $1,369 | 22.2% | 93.8% | 5.8% |
| 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: Bayfield County, WI · Weston County, WY · West Feliciana Parish, LA · West Carroll Parish, LA · Wells County, ND · Watonwan County, MN · Washita County, OK · Blaine County, NE · Billings County, ND · Bear Lake County, ID
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 Northwest Arctic 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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