About Us
About The Northwest Arctic Borough
Borough Mission:
The Northwest Arctic Borough will improve the quality of life for all residents.
Borough Vision:
We will be a unified region of successful people and communities.
Current Population: 7,407 (2008 DCCED Certified)
Location and Climate
The Northwest Arctic Borough is the second-largest borough in Alaska, comprising approximately 39,000 square miles along the Kotzebue Sound, Wullik, Noatak, Kobuk, Selawik, Buckland and Kugruk Rivers.The area encompasses 35,898.3 sq. miles of land and 4,863.7 sq. miles of water. The area experiences a transitional climate, characterized by long, cold winters and cool summers. Temperatures range from -52 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Total precipitation averages 9 inches per year and average annual snowfall is 47 inches.
History, Culture and Demographics
This area has been occupied by Inupiat people for at least 10,000 years. "Kikiktagruk" was the hub of ancient arctic trading routes. Kotzebue Sound was "discovered" in 1818 by the German Lt. Otto Von Kotzebue on behalf of Russia. In 1899 a post office was established in Kotzebue. Most cities in the borough developed as supply stations for Interior gold mining, and were settled around schools and churches. The Borough was incorporated as a First Class Borough in 1986 and became a Home Rule Borough in 1987 (Northwest Arctic Borough Code).
The population of the community consists of 85.8% Alaska Native or part Native. The Borough population is primarily Inupiat Eskimo, and subsistence activities are a vital part of the lifestyle. Residents rely on caribou, reindeer, beluga whale, birds, four species of seals, berries, greens, and fish. The unemployment rate at that time was 15.55 percent, although 46.42 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $45,976, per capita income was $15,286.
Facilities, Utilities, Schools and Health Care
This information is available on a community basis. Communities located within the Borough include the second-class cities of Ambler, Buckland, Deering, Kiana, Kivalina, Kobuk, Kotzebue, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak and the unincorporated community of Noatak. There are 12 schools located in the borough, attended by 2,011 students.
Economy and Transportation
Activities related to government, mining, health care, transportation, services and construction contribute to the economy. The Red Dog Mine, 90 miles north of Kotzebue, is the world's largest zinc and lead mine, and provides 370 direct year-round jobs and over a quarter of the borough's wage and salary payroll. The ore is owned by NANA Regional Corporation and leased to Cominco, which owns and operates the mine and shipping facilities. Cominco Alaska, Maniilaq Association, the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Veco Construction, and Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corp. (KIC) are the borough's largest employers. The smaller communities rely on subsistence food-gathering and Native craft-making. 134 borough residents hold commercial fishing permits.
The City of Kotzebue is the "hub" of northwest Alaska and is the transfer point between ocean and inland shipping. It does not have a natural harbor, and is ice-free for only 3 months each year. Deep draft vessels must anchor 15 miles out, and cargo is lightered to the docking facility. Local barge services provide cargo to area communities. Ralph Wien Memorial Airport supports daily jet service and air taxis to Anchorage.
CONTACT US @ info@nwabor.org