| City: | Kotzebue, Alaska |
| Borough: | Northwest Arctic Borough |
| Timezone: | Alaska (GMT -09:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:24:13 AM |
| Population: | 3,276 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 907 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 66.7378, -161.7791 |
| Land Area: | 3966.695 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Kotzebue sits on a narrow gravel spit jutting into Kotzebue Sound, 26 miles above the Arctic Circle. This is the regional hub for Northwest Alaska, where 3,276 residents live in one of America's most isolated communities. Of the population, 69% are Alaska Native (2,249 people), primarily Iñupiat. The town covers 259 square miles of coastal tundra.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The Kotzebue post office maintains 922 PO Boxes for 945 households, a 97.6% adoption rate that approaches universal reliance. With only 7 streets mapped in the ZIP+4 system over 259 square miles, traditional addressing infrastructure doesn't exist here. Shore Avenue, Mission Street, and a handful of numbered streets (2nd Avenue, 5th Street, 6th Avenue) represent the sparse road grid. The post office is the mail lifeline.
Households average 3.47 people, larger than the national norm of 2.5. This pattern is common in Alaska Native communities, where extended families often share homes. The median age of 31.5 years is younger than most of rural Alaska, indicating families with children rather than an aging population.
Kotzebue's economy centers on transportation and government services. Employment data shows 955 workers in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, more than any other sector. This makes sense for a regional air hub where cargo planes are the primary supply link. Another 534 workers are in public administration, including the Northwest Arctic Borough government, tribal administration, and federal agencies. Median household income is $106,328, well above the Alaska average, driven by high-paying transportation and government jobs.
The town maintains 52 business establishments employing 1,594 people. That's nearly half the total population working locally, an unusually high ratio that confirms Kotzebue's role as a regional employment center. Workers commute from surrounding villages by plane for shifts, then return home.
Kotzebue isn't just a local post office. It serves as the mail hub for dozens of villages scattered across the Northwest Arctic Borough. Planes fly mail from Anchorage to Kotzebue, then smaller bush planes distribute it to villages like Kiana, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak. For residents of these villages, Kotzebue is where they pick up packages too large for the bush plane service.
Mail addressed to Kotzebue must use PO Box format. There is no street delivery anywhere in the ZIP code. Most residents and businesses maintain boxes at the main post office on Shore Avenue. Seasonal vacancy is low (13% of housing units), indicating this is a year-round community, not a seasonal work camp.
Minimal street infrastructure with only 7 named streets over 259 square miles reflects the Arctic community's reliance on PO Box addressing.
ZIP Code 99752 has 3,276 residents and 945 households (average 3.26 persons per household). The median age is 31.5 years, younger than the state (35.6) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.9% male and 49.1% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (68.7%, much higher than the state average of 15.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (16.5%, much lower than the state average of 59.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.5%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (15.2%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 3,276Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 3,056Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $110,357Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 945Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $288,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.26Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.62Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 3,650 | 3,596 | 3,503 | 3,428 | 3,381 | 3,379 | 3,355 | 3,370 | 3,372 | 3,363 | 3,273 | 3,255 | 3,129 | 3,056 |
| Decennial Census | 3,553 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 3,276 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 31.5
Male Median Age: 31.3
Female Median Age: 31.7
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 142 | 154 | 133 | 139 | 101 | 123 | 146 | 121 | 100 | 88 | 102 | 112 | 85 | 56 | 33 | 14 | 14 | 5 |
| Female | 149 | 136 | 127 | 116 | 97 | 126 | 161 | 109 | 100 | 87 | 78 | 118 | 84 | 57 | 29 | 14 | 5 | 15 |
| Total | 291 | 290 | 260 | 255 | 198 | 249 | 307 | 230 | 200 | 175 | 180 | 230 | 169 | 113 | 62 | 28 | 19 | 20 |
| White: | 540 | 17.90% |
| Black: | 64 | 2.12% |
| Hispanic:* | 83 | 2.75% |
| Asian: | 48 | 1.59% |
| American Indian: | 2,249 | 74.54% |
| Hawaiian: | 11 | 0.36% |
| Other: | 22 | 0.73% |
| Total: | 3,017 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,668 | 50.92% | 31.3 years |
| Females: | 1,608 | 49.08% | 31.7 years |
| Total: | 3,276 | 100% | 31.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,963 | 96.96% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 26 | 0.85% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 26 | 0.85% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 41 | 2.19% |
| Total Population: | 3,056 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 2,989 | 97.81% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 67 | 2.19% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $110,357, which is markedly greater than the national median ($80,734), is up $38,596 (53.8%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $29,169. Family households earn a median of $110,625 versus $95,179 for nonfamily households (a difference of $15,446). By gender, male median income is $74,268 and female is $89,464, which is far above the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $15,196 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 69.4%, which is well above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 5.9%, which is slightly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (46.1%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $71,761 | $74,716 | $80,729 | $90,556 | $86,797 | $83,750 | $88,047 | $84,559 | $81,188 | $87,000 | $95,385 | $101,071 | $106,328 | $110,357 |
| Median Family Income | $71,875 | $80,395 | $80,313 | $87,083 | $84,881 | $77,917 | $83,036 | $82,422 | $82,639 | $94,167 | $105,750 | $109,750 | $108,929 | $110,625 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $65,625 | $60,536 | $66,250 | $80,375 | $73,125 | $74,643 | $82,500 | $78,625 | $76,500 | $76,250 | $72,917 | $82,250 | $86,875 | $95,179 |
| Median Male Income | $63,646 | $64,826 | $65,769 | $66,818 | $63,711 | $62,344 | $66,736 | $68,750 | $68,542 | $70,648 | $73,274 | $84,118 | $71,337 | $74,268 |
| Median Female Income | $51,224 | $52,936 | $54,331 | $54,000 | $53,480 | $55,536 | $61,500 | $63,438 | $69,141 | $70,625 | $71,417 | $78,846 | $80,476 | $89,464 |
| Employed: | 1,444 | 65.19% |
| Unemployed: | 90 | 4.06% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 681 | 30.74% |
| Total: | 2,215 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 666 | 46.12% |
| Service: | 148 | 10.25% |
| Sales and Office: | 279 | 19.32% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 192 | 13.30% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 159 | 11.01% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 1,444 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $288,400, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $124,000 (75.43%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $51,900. The median gross rent is $1,565, which is notably higher than the national median ($1,413), is up $392 (33.42%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $112. Of occupied housing, owners make up 47.99% (38.48% with a mortgage, 61.52% free-and-clear) and renters 52.01% - making this ZIP Code higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 31.38%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $164,400 | $165,500 | $169,000 | $175,300 | $183,800 | $194,900 | $207,000 | $214,900 | $236,500 | $239,700 | $246,400 | $251,900 | $264,500 | $288,400 |
| Less than $500: | 28 | 6.76% |
| $500 to $999: | 37 | 8.94% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 97 | 23.43% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 107 | 25.85% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 55 | 13.29% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 22 | 5.31% |
| $3,000 or more: | 6 | 1.45% |
| No Rent: | 62 | 14.98% |
| Total: | 414 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $1,173 | $1,202 | $1,249 | $1,318 | $1,368 | $1,430 | $1,446 | $1,417 | $1,453 | $1,461 | $1,463 | $1,633 | $1,610 | $1,565 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 147 | 18.47% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 235 | 29.52% |
| Renter Occupied: | 414 | 52.01% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 796 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 796 | 68.62% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 364 | 31.38% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,160 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 736 | 63.45% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 411 | 35.43% |
| Other Units: | 13 | 1.12% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,160 | 100% |
In 2024, 18.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 91.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 17.10%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 11.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 0.10 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 1.60 percentage points. Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (53.40%). College enrollment is 7.74%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 57 | 3.09% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 104 | 5.64% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 667 | 36.19% |
| Some college, no degree: | 557 | 30.22% |
| Associate's degree: | 127 | 6.89% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 184 | 9.98% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 147 | 7.98% |
| Total: | 1,843 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 1,682 | 91.26% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 331 | 17.96% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,749 | 52.04% |
| Public Insurance: | 1,099 | 32.70% |
| No Insurance: | 513 | 15.26% |
| Total: | 3,361 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 2,848 | 84.74% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 11.5% | 10.0% | 11.1% | 10.4% | 12.2% | 12.1% | 11.6% | 13.4% | 13.2% | 10.8% | 11.1% | 11.4% | 11.6% | 11.2% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 22 | 2.94% |
| Kindergarten: | 43 | 5.74% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 400 | 53.40% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 226 | 30.17% |
| College or graduate school: | 58 | 7.74% |
| Total: | 749 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 65 | 8.68% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 669 | 89.32% |
ZIP Code 99752 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 51 business establishments, employing about 1,649 people with an annual payroll of $211,422,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1,012Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 51Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $44,133,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $211,422,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 1,649Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99752 is located in Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Alaska's 0th Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 99752. It covers 3966.695 sq mi of land and a water area of 952.691 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 3966.695 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 952.691 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 00Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 571951.26 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0241830Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Kotzebue city; AlaskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99752 is in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 3 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 0 private school(s).
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.