List of Counties in Alaska
Alaska has 29 boroughs and census areas, which function similarly to counties in other states. The most populous boroughs in Alaska are Anchorage Municipality, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Juneau City and Borough, Bethel Census Area, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Kodiak Island Borough, Valdez-Cordova Census Area, and North Slope Borough. The Anchorage Municipality is by far the most populous, containing around 40% of the state’s population, while the Matanuska-Susitna Borough has seen significant growth due to its proximity to Anchorage.
List of All Counties in Alaska
- Aleutians East Borough, Alaska
- Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska
- Anchorage Borough, Alaska
- Bethel Census Area, Alaska
- Bristol Bay Borough, Alaska
- Chugach Census Area, Alaska
- Copper River Census Area, Alaska
- Denali Borough, Alaska
- Dillingham Census Area, Alaska
- Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska
- Haines Borough, Alaska
- Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska
- Juneau Borough, Alaska
- Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska
- Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
- Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska
- Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
- Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska
- Nome Census Area, Alaska
- North Slope Borough, Alaska
- Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
- Petersburg Borough, Alaska
- Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska
- Sitka Borough, Alaska
- Skagway Borough, Alaska
- Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska
- Wrangell Borough, Alaska
- Yakutat Borough, Alaska
- Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska
1. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
Overview
The Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is the largest county-equivalent in the United States by land area, located in the central part of Alaska. It is bordered to the north by the North Slope Borough and to the east by the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area. The census area is characterized by its remote wilderness, including large portions of the Yukon River and Koyukuk River basins, as well as vast areas of taiga and tundra. There are no incorporated cities in this census area, and most communities are small, primarily indigenous villages. The Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area is historically important due to its role in the Alaska Gold Rush, especially in towns like Rampart and Ruby, which attracted prospectors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 5,200 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: No official county seat; Galena is the largest hub
- Major Airports: Edward G. Pitka Sr. Airport (Galena), Ruby Airport
- Major Highways: No major highways; travel is mainly by air or river
2. North Slope Borough
Overview
The North Slope Borough is located in the far north of Alaska, encompassing much of the state’s Arctic region. It is bordered by the Beaufort Sea to the north, the Northwest Arctic Borough to the west, and the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area to the south. The borough is home to the famous Prudhoe Bay oil fields, which are central to Alaska’s economy. Its landscape includes vast tundra, coastal plains, and ice-covered seas. The North Slope Borough is known for its harsh Arctic climate and wildlife, including polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds. It is a predominantly Inupiat region, with Barrow (Utqiagvik), the northernmost city in the U.S., serving as the administrative center. The North Slope was established in the 1970s following the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay, and it has played a critical role in the state’s economic development ever since.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 10,000 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow)
- Major Airports: Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport (Utqiagvik), Deadhorse Airport (Prudhoe Bay)
- Major Highways: Dalton Highway (the only highway connecting the borough to the rest of Alaska)
3. Bethel Census Area
Overview
Bethel Census Area is located in southwestern Alaska, bordering the Bering Sea to the west. It is a vast, remote region characterized by its river systems, including the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers, which provide essential transportation routes. The Bethel Census Area is home to a large indigenous population, predominantly Yup’ik Eskimos, and is known for its subsistence lifestyle based on fishing, hunting, and gathering. Bethel, the census area’s largest community, serves as a regional hub for the western part of Alaska. The region’s history is deeply tied to the native cultures and the early arrival of Russian traders in the 18th century.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 18,000 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Bethel
- Major Airports: Bethel Airport
- Major Highways: No major highways; travel is primarily by air, river, or snowmobile
4. Northwest Arctic Borough
Overview
The Northwest Arctic Borough is situated in northwestern Alaska, bordering the Chukchi Sea to the west and the North Slope Borough to the north. It is known for its remote wilderness, rich natural resources, and indigenous communities, primarily of Inupiat descent. Kotzebue, located on a gravel spit at the confluence of three rivers, is the largest city and administrative center. The borough is rich in mineral resources, including the Red Dog Mine, one of the world’s largest sources of zinc. Established in 1986, the borough’s economy is a blend of subsistence activities, such as fishing and hunting, and industrial resource extraction.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 7,600 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Kotzebue
- Major Airports: Ralph Wien Memorial Airport (Kotzebue)
- Major Highways: No major highways; travel is by air and water
5. Nome Census Area
Overview
Nome Census Area is located on the western coast of Alaska, facing the Bering Sea. It is bordered by the Northwest Arctic Borough to the north and the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area to the east. Nome, the largest city and administrative center, is historically significant for its role in the 1899-1909 Nome Gold Rush, which brought a surge of prospectors to the region. The census area is remote, with a largely indigenous population that relies on subsistence fishing, hunting, and gathering. The rugged terrain, treeless tundra, and coastal areas are home to a variety of wildlife, including seals, whales, and caribou.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 10,000 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Nome
- Major Airports: Nome Airport
- Major Highways: Nome-Teller Highway, Nome-Council Highway (seasonal roads)
6. Kusilvak Census Area
Overview
Kusilvak Census Area, formerly known as the Wade Hampton Census Area, is located in western Alaska along the Yukon River. It borders the Bering Sea to the west and the Bethel Census Area to the south. The census area is remote, with few roads and mostly small, indigenous Yup’ik Eskimo communities. Subsistence activities like fishing, hunting, and berry-picking are central to the local economy and way of life. The area is characterized by its tundra, wetlands, and river systems, which are vital for transportation. Kusilvak Census Area is one of the poorest and least densely populated areas in the United States.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 8,400 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: No official county seat; largest hub is Hooper Bay
- Major Airports: Hooper Bay Airport, Emmonak Airport
- Major Highways: No major highways; travel is mainly by air and river
7. Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Overview
The Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough is located in south-central Alaska, just north of Anchorage, making it one of the most accessible regions in the state. It is bordered by the Denali Borough to the north and Anchorage Municipality to the south. The borough includes the fertile Matanuska and Susitna river valleys, which were originally settled during the New Deal era as part of a farming colony project. Today, Mat-Su is one of Alaska’s fastest-growing areas, with Palmer and Wasilla serving as the main population centers. The borough offers a mix of suburban living, wilderness, and agricultural areas, making it attractive to people seeking both proximity to Anchorage and a more rural lifestyle.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 108,000 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Palmer
- Major Airports: Palmer Municipal Airport, Wasilla Airport
- Major Highways: Glenn Highway (AK-1), Parks Highway (AK-3)
8. Fairbanks North Star Borough
Overview
The Fairbanks North Star Borough is located in the interior region of Alaska and is the second-largest population center in the state. It is bordered by the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area to the west and the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area to the south. Fairbanks, the borough seat, is known as the “Golden Heart City” and is a hub for tourism, military installations, and higher education, home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The area was first settled in the early 20th century due to the discovery of gold, and it remains an important economic and cultural center. The borough’s geography includes forests, rivers, and rugged terrain, with the Tanana River running through it.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 100,000 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Fairbanks
- Major Airports: Fairbanks International Airport
- Major Highways: Richardson Highway (AK-2), Parks Highway (AK-3)
9. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Overview
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is located in eastern Alaska, bordering Canada to the east and the Fairbanks North Star Borough to the north. The area is sparsely populated and remote, with most of its residents living in small towns or villages along the Alaska Highway. The Tanana River and its tributaries run through the census area, providing natural transportation routes. Historically, the region played a role in the Alaska Highway construction during World War II. Today, the economy is centered on subsistence activities, small-scale agriculture, and military operations at nearby Fort Greely.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 6,800 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: No official county seat; Delta Junction is the largest hub
- Major Airports: Allen Army Airfield (Fort Greely)
- Major Highways: Alaska Highway (AK-2), Richardson Highway (AK-4)
10. Denali Borough
Overview
Denali Borough is located in the central part of Alaska, known for its namesake, Denali (Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America. It is bordered by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to the south and the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area to the west. The borough is home to Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Alaska. The area is mountainous and largely undeveloped, with a small population that primarily depends on tourism and seasonal employment. The borough was officially established in 1990, making it one of Alaska’s newer boroughs.
County Facts
- Population: Approximately 2,100 (2023 estimate)
- County Seat: Healy
- Major Airports: Healy River Airport
- Major Highways: Parks Highway (AK-3)