Population & Household section gives reader an outlook. of general population profile, structure, and outlook.
Population Trend
Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, exhibits a unique demographic profile compared to other counties in Alaska. With a median age of 29.2, it is significantly younger than the state median of 35.3, reflecting a high percentage of residents under 18 years (36.2%) and a low percentage of those over 65 (7.9%). The borough's population growth rate has declined by 1.2% over the past year, contrasting with the state's slight decline of 0.2%. Its high age dependency ratio of 78.9 indicates a substantial proportion of dependents, primarily youth, which may impact local resources and services.
Total Population
7682
Sex Ratio
114.8 %
Population Growth (2021-2022)
-1.2 %
Population CAGR (2010-2022)
0.23 %
Population Growth Rate (%)
Source: Census.gov
Age Structure
Dependency Rate
78.9 %
Median Age
29.2 y.o.
% of Population > 65 y.o.
7.9 %
Active Aging Index
25.4 %
Old Dependency Rate
14.1 %
Young Dependency Rate
64.8 %
Age Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Population Structure
Source: Census.gov
Household Status
The Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, has a total of 1,776 households, with a notably high average household size of 4.04 and an average family size of 4.73, indicating a strong presence of larger families compared to the state average household size of 2.67. Approximately 56% of households include children, which is higher than many other counties in Alaska, reflecting a family-oriented demographic. However, the borough has experienced a slight decline in household growth at -0.12% CAGR, contrasting with the overall state growth rate of 0.53%. In comparison to other counties, such as Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna, which have lower average household sizes and higher growth rates, the Northwest Arctic Borough stands out for its larger family units but faces challenges in sustaining household growth.
Total Households
1776
Married-couple Household
730
Household CAGR (2010-2022)
-0.12 %
Household Growth (2021-2022)
1.14 %
Average Household Size
4.04 p
Average Family Size
4.73 p
Household with Children (%)
56 %
Household with Elder 65+ (%)
24.9 %
Household Size
Source: Census.gov
Household Structure
Source: Census.gov
Marriage
Never Married
50.4 %
Now Married
37.6 %
Widowed
4.5 %
Divorced
7.5 %
Marriage Status
Source: Census.gov
Marriage Status Breakdown
Source: Census.gov | S1201
Cultures
*Culture section contains several components: races, education, marriage and other factors.
Racial Profiiles
The Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, exhibits a striking demographic profile, with a single race percentage of 94.4% and a non-white population constituting 89.4%. This is significantly higher than both the state of Alaska (38.7% non-white) and the national average (34.1% non-white). The borough's Hispanic population stands at just 2.6%, reflecting a unique cultural landscape compared to the national figure of 18.7%. This region is characterized by a predominance of Indigenous communities, which is evident in its low white population (10.6%) compared to other Alaskan boroughs, highlighting its distinct cultural identity within the state.
One Race
94.4 %
Two or More Races
5.6 %
Non-White
89.4 %
Hispanic (Overlapping)
2.6 %
White
818
Black
95
Asian
99
Native American
6200
Race Structure (%)
Source: Census.gov
Racial Profile Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Place of Birth
In Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, 98.1% of the population is born in the U.S., significantly higher than the national average of 86.3% and the state average of 92.1%. Only 1.9% of residents were born in other countries, with 43.4% of these individuals being naturalized. This borough has a notably high percentage of residents born in the state (87.6%), indicating a strong local population retention. Compared to other Alaskan counties, such as Anchorage (10.8% foreign-born), Northwest Arctic Borough exhibits a unique demographic profile with minimal foreign-born residents, reflecting its distinct cultural and geographic context.
Native US Citizen
818
Native US Citizen (%)
89.4 %
Born in Alaska (%)
87.6 %
Born in Other State (%)
9.9 %
Foreign Born (%)
1.9 %
Naturalized (% of Foreign Born)
43.4 %
Place of Birth Changes (2010-2022)
Source: Census.gov
Birthplace Breakdown (Outside of US)
Source: Census.gov
Migration
-
Migration Inflow (% of Population)
10.6 %
From Different County (% of Inflow)
47.6 %
From Different State (% of Inflow)
45.8 %
From Different Country (% of Inflow)
6.6 %
%
Source: Census.gov
Religion
Number of Congregations
24
Number of Adherents
1419
Adherents (% of Total Population)
18.5 %
Christian (% of Total Population)
11 %
Religion Breakdown
Source: Census.gov
Education Attainment
The Northwest Arctic Borough, AK, shows a modest increase in educational attainment, with 15.2% of the population aged 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree, up from 11% a decade ago. This figure is significantly lower than the state average of 30.7% and the national average of 34.3%. The median earnings for residents in this borough stand at $47,339, which is below the state median of $54,606. Notably, those with a bachelor's degree earn an impressive $113,571, indicating a strong return on educational investment, despite the low overall degree attainment.