Kotzebue, AK Demographics

A map of Kotzebue's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
Native American/Other	1,871	2,117	62.7%	68.2%
White	573	491	19.2%	15.8%
Multiracial	310	306	10.4%	9.9%
Hispanic	170	77	5.7%	2.5%
Black	36	63	1.2%	2.0%
Asian	24	48	0.8%	1.5%

Kotzebue, Alaska has an estimated population of 2,984, a decrease from the 3,102 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.7% Native American/Other, 19.2% White, 10.4% Multiracial, 5.7% Hispanic, 1.2% Black, and 0.8% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Kotzebue, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Kotzebue has become considerably more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Alaska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Kotzebue, that probability was 49.8% in 2020 and 55.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Kotzebue is ranked the 38th most populous place in Alaska, out of 355 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Kotzebue was ranked the 36th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Kotzebue's White Population

573 residents of Kotzebue, or 19.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Kotzebue is significantly lower than in Alaska overall, where 57.7% of the population is White. Kotzebue ranks 205th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's White population has grown by an estimated 16.7%. White residents' share of Kotzebue's population has increased from 15.8% to 19.2%.

Kotzebue is more White than neighboring Deering (4.4% White), Noatak (1.3% White), Red Dog Mine (0% White), Noorvik (4.1% White), and Buckland (0.8% White).

Kotzebue's Black Population

36 residents of Kotzebue, or 1.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Kotzebue is comparable to the share in Alaska overall, where 2.9% of the population is Black. Kotzebue ranks 26th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's Black population has declined by an estimated 42.9%. Black residents' share of Kotzebue's population has decreased from 2.0% to 1.2%.

Kotzebue is more Black than neighboring Deering (0% Black), Noatak (0.3% Black), Red Dog Mine (0% Black), Noorvik (0% Black), and Buckland (0% Black).

Kotzebue's Asian Population

24 residents of Kotzebue, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Kotzebue is lower than in Alaska overall, where 6.4% of the population is Asian. Kotzebue ranks 71st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's Asian population has declined by an estimated 50.0%. Asian residents' share of Kotzebue's population has decreased from 1.5% to 0.8%.

Kotzebue is more Asian than neighboring Noatak (0% Asian), Red Dog Mine (0% Asian), and Buckland (0% Asian). Kotzebue is less Asian than neighboring Deering (0.9% Asian), and Noorvik (12% Asian).

Kotzebue's Hispanic Population

170 residents of Kotzebue, or 5.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Kotzebue is comparable to the share in Alaska overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Kotzebue ranks 160th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 120.8%. Hispanic residents' share of Kotzebue's population has increased from 2.5% to 5.7%.

Kotzebue is more Hispanic than neighboring Deering (0.9% Hispanic), Noatak (0% Hispanic), Red Dog Mine (0% Hispanic), Noorvik (0.1% Hispanic), and Buckland (0% Hispanic).

Kotzebue's Native American/Other Population

1,871 residents of Kotzebue, or 62.7% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Kotzebue is significantly higher than in Alaska overall, where 15.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Kotzebue ranks 144th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Kotzebue's population has decreased from 68.2% to 62.7%.

Kotzebue is more Native American/Other than neighboring Red Dog Mine (0% Native American/Other). Kotzebue is less Native American/Other than neighboring Deering (82.8% Native American/Other), Noatak (98.1% Native American/Other), Noorvik (82.9% Native American/Other), and Buckland (91.7% Native American/Other).

Kotzebue's Multiracial Population

310 residents of Kotzebue, or 10.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Kotzebue is comparable to the share in Alaska overall, where 10.3% of the population is Multiracial. Kotzebue ranks 92nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 355 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Kotzebue's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Kotzebue's population has increased from 9.9% to 10.4%.

Kotzebue is more Multiracial than neighboring Noatak (0.4% Multiracial), Red Dog Mine (0% Multiracial), Noorvik (0.8% Multiracial), and Buckland (7.5% Multiracial). Kotzebue is less Multiracial than neighboring Deering (11% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.