County brief·Updated June 2, 2026

Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska Eviction Risk: Very Low

12 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of Kotzebue (3) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

County Risk Score2.4/ 10 · Very Low

Cities tracked12municipalities

Census tracts2scored

Population7kLiving in 12 cities

Income spent on rent17.4%avg renter household

Average rent$1,253/ month

How Northwest Arctic Borough ranks in Alaska

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most

Eviction Risk Score

Moderate

#16 of 30 AK counties 2.4 / 10

#16 of 30 counties in Alaska for landlord eviction risk.

Cost of living

Elevated

#14 of 51 states (statewide) 102.4 index

Alaska ranks #14 of 51 states on overall cost of living (2.4% more expensive than the U.S. avg).

Housing services cost

Elevated

#22 of 51 states (statewide) 93.8 index

Alaska ranks #22 of 51 states on housing services (6.2% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Income spent on rent

Very Low

#26 of 30 AK counties 17.4% of income

#26 of 30 counties in Alaska on % of income spent on rent.

Cities in Northwest Arctic Borough

Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first

Map view

	City↕	Population↕	Risk↕	% income on rent↕	Average rent↕	Lean↕
001	Kotzebue Pop 2,984 · 17.0% income · $1,565 rent	2,984	2.4	17.0%	$1,565	-
002	Kivalina Pop 809 · 22.9% income · $1,089 rent	809	2.7	22.9%	$1,089	-
003	Noatak Pop 786 · 13.1% income · $1,063 rent	786	2.0	13.1%	$1,063	-
004	Noorvik Pop 748 · 13.1% income · $1,031 rent	748	1.9	13.1%	$1,031	-
005	Buckland Pop 533 · 24.2% income · $1,075 rent	533	2.7	24.2%	$1,075	-
006	Kiana Pop 437 · 17.4% income · $1,253 rent	437	2.8	17.4%	$1,253	-
007	Selawik Pop 412 · 20.0% income · $633 rent	412	2.3	20.0%	$633	-
008	Deering Pop 227 · 11.7% income · $675 rent	227	2.1	11.7%	$675	-
009	Ambler Pop 182 · 17.4% income · $1,253 rent	182	2.7	17.4%	$1,253	-
010	Shungnak Pop 147 · 17.4% income · $1,253 rent	147	1.9	17.4%	$1,253	-
011	Kobuk Pop 101 · 17.4% income · $1,253 rent	101	3.0	17.4%	$1,253	-
012	Red Dog Mine Pop 5 · 17.4% income · $1,253 rent	5	1.7	17.4%	$1,253	-

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Northwest Arctic Borough spans 12 cities serving approximately 7,371 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 2.4/10.

Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated June 2, 2026

Peer counties in Alaska

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score

Where eviction risk concentrates in Northwest Arctic Borough

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Northwest Arctic Borough

Why is rent-to-income ratio 17.4% in Northwest Arctic Borough?

Rent-to-income ratio of 17.4% reflects the ratio of average gross rent to average household income across 12 cities in Northwest Arctic Borough.

What court hears evictions in Northwest Arctic Borough?

Alaska state court hears unlawful detainer or summary process actions in Northwest Arctic Borough. See the Alaska eviction laws eviction-process guide for court name and procedure.

Does Northwest Arctic Borough have just-cause eviction?

Just-cause eviction is determined by state law. Alaska eviction laws framework applies; see the Alaska eviction laws tenant-protections guide.