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CITY

Kotzebue

Alaska · 2,876 residents (2025 est.) · 24.757 sq mi
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The short version

Kotzebue is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $110,357. Population has declined 3% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $288,400. At a median age of 31.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 31.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 31%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,984
−3%since 2000
from 3,082 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
121 / sq mi
−3%since 2000
from 124 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
31.0
+20%since 2000
from 25.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,876 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3K3K3K3K3K1990201020202024Kotzebue
20243K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$110,357
+6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $57,163 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$43,384
+137%since 2000
from $18,289 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
70.6%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
14.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.382
+9%since 2010
from 0.350 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance10.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade6.6%
US avg: 6.9%
Information5.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade3.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services2.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Other services1.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration0.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$288,400
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $120,500 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,565
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $982 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
48.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2000
from 43.6% in 2000
52.0% rent
Vacancy rate
20.6%
+7.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
12.0%
−14.3 ptssince 2009
from 26.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+24%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kotzebue on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic19.3%(594)
Black0.3%(10)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(36)
Asian1.8%(56)
Other0%
Diversity Score32.8%(1,010)
2024
White, non-Hispanic19.2%(573)
Black1.2%(36)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(170)
Asian0.8%(24)
Other73.1%(2,181)
Diversity Score53.2%(1,587)
Diversity Score
53
+62%since 2000
from 33 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 17.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.9%
+15.0 ptssince 2000
from 75.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 6.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
6.1 min
−21%since 2000
from 7.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
23.4%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
17.2%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
44.4%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
38.2%
−18.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.2%
−13.7 ptssince 2011
from 19.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.3%
−3.3 ptssince 2011
from 71.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
41.5%
+8.3 ptssince 2009
from 33.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
43.3%
−21.0 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.9%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
52.1%
+2.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
2.2%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.0%
−44.9 ptssince 2009
from 51.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
10.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2012
from 12.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.5%
−53.3 ptssince 2013
from 70.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.0%
+20.4 ptssince 2017
from 75.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
80.6%
+9.2 ptssince 2016
from 71.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2016
from 2.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Kotzebue

Lake Helen
Pop 2,994
Big Coppitt Key
Pop 3,109
Indialantic
Pop 3,096
Hernando Beach
Pop 2,675
Places similar to Kotzebue
Head to head

Compare Kotzebue side by side

KOTZEBUE VS
Lake Helen
Income$116,250+5%
Home value$441,200+53%
Population2,994+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KOTZEBUE VS
Big Coppitt Key
Income$105,139−5%
Home value$534,500+85%
Population3,109+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KOTZEBUE VS
Indialantic
Income$104,184−6%
Home value$604,200+110%
Population3,096+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KOTZEBUE VS
Hernando Beach
Income$101,875−8%
Home value$530,000+84%
Population2,675−7%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kotzebue, Alaska?

Kotzebue, Alaska has about 2,984 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kotzebue, Alaska?

The typical household in Kotzebue, Alaska earns about $110,357 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kotzebue, Alaska expensive?

In Kotzebue, Alaska, the median home is worth about $288,400, and the typical rent is about $1,565 a month.

How educated are people in Kotzebue, Alaska?

About 18.7% of adults age 25 and over in Kotzebue, Alaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kotzebue, Alaska?

About 14.4% of people in Kotzebue, Alaska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kotzebue, Alaska grown since 1990?

Yes, Kotzebue, Alaska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 233 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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