Alaska has boroughs instead of counties — and if you’re trying to understand how the state is organized, that distinction matters more than you’d think. There are 19 organized boroughs, 11 census areas, and one enormous unorganized borough that covers more than half the state’s landmass. No other state does it quite this way.
Paul and I have spent a combined 20+ years working across Alaska — from the North Slope to Southeast, from Anchorage to communities most maps don’t bother labeling. We’ve driven, flown, and snowmachined through more of these boroughs than we can count. Here’s how Alaska’s government structure actually works, in plain English.
Quick Facts Table
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total borough equivalents | 30 |
| Organized boroughs | 19 |
| City boroughs | 4 |
| Census areas (unorganized) | 11 |
| Does Alaska have counties? | No — boroughs only |
| Most populous borough | Municipality of Anchorage (~291,000) |
| Least populous borough | Yakutat City and Borough (~700) |
| Largest borough by area | North Slope Borough (~88,800 sq miles) |
| Largest census area by area | Yukon-Koyukuk (~145,500 sq miles) |
| Year borough system created | 1961 |
Boroughs vs. Counties
Counties and boroughs are both local government divisions, but with some key differences. Counties are the standard across most US states, handling things like roads and public health. Boroughs aren’t legally required to adhere to the same terms that counties are. Generally, counties have more power than boroughs, which can be incorporated (having their own government) or unincorporated (run by the state or county).
Alaska is the only state that has boroughs instead of Counties, although Louisiana has parishes instead of counties. America’s special children.
Why Does Alaska Have Boroughs?
Alaska’s founders opted for a unique path when designing local government, they just had to feel special I suppose! They debated using the term “county” system, but ultimately chose “boroughs” to avoid inheriting the legal and political baggage associated with counties in the Lower 48. How libertarian of them.
These boroughs were envisioned to be more adaptable and hold greater power than traditional counties. Alaska’s vast size and scattered population played a role in this decision as well, as some areas simply wouldn’t have the tax base to sustain a county structure. This resulted in a system where boroughs were primarily established in areas with stronger economies.
How Many Boroughs are in Alaska?
The short answer is 30 — but it takes a minute to explain what that means.
Alaska has 19 organized boroughs. These function similarly to counties in other states — they have their own elected governments, collect taxes, and provide local services. Four of those 19 are city boroughs, where the city and borough governments have merged into one unified structure. Anchorage, Juneau, Sitka, and Wrangell are the four.
The remaining 56% of Alaska’s land area — everything not covered by an organized borough — falls under the unorganized borough. This territory is administered directly by the state rather than a local government. For census and statistical purposes, the unorganized borough is divided into 11 census areas. These aren’t governments — they’re just geographic divisions used to collect data.
So the full count is: 19 organized boroughs + 11 census areas = 30 total county equivalents. That’s the number the US Census Bureau uses when comparing Alaska to other states.
Alaska’s City Boroughs
Alaska’s four city boroughs are home to the state’s major population centers, Anchorage and Juneau; as well Sitka and Wrangell. The city boroughs in Alaska provide a full range of municipal services, including police, fire departments, and public transportation. Per the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section, and U.S. Census Bureau these four boroughs in Alaska have “unified home rule municipalities where the city government and borough government are merged.”
- Municipality of Anchorage
- City and Borough of Sitka
- City and Borough of Wrangell
- City and Borough of Juneau
Alaska’s Organized Boroughs
The following 15 boroughs in Alaska are not unified with a city and have varying levels of services for their residents. Most of these organized boroughs contain cities within their borough boundaries, however a couple do not. Bristol Bay, Haines, the Municipality of Skagway, Yakutat all lack an incorporated city.
- Aleutians East
- Bristol Bay
- Denali
- Fairbanks North Star
- Haines
- Kenai Peninsula
- Ketchikan Gateway
- Kodiak Island
- Lake and Peninsula
- Matanuska-Susitna
- North Slope
- Northwest Arctic
- Petersburg
- Skagway
- Yakutat
Alaska’s Unorganized Boroughs
Encompassing 56% of Alaska’s land mass, the unorganized boroughs are a testament to the state’s vast wilderness. This region, overseen by the state government, presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here’s a list of Alaska’s 11 unorganized boroughs or census areas.
- Aleutians West
- Bethel
- Chugach
- Copper River
- Dillingham
- Hoonah-Angoon
- Kusilvak
- Nome
- Prince of Wales-Hyder
- Southeast Fairbanks
- Yukon-Koyukuk
Maps of Alaska’s Boroughs
Here’s a map of Alaska’s different boroughs.
Full List of Alaska Boroughs and Census Areas
City Boroughs:
- Municipality of Anchorage — 291,247
- City and Borough of Juneau — 32,255
- City and Borough of Sitka — 8,458
- City and Borough of Wrangell — 2,369
Organized Boroughs: 5. Aleutians East Borough — 3,337 6. Bristol Bay Borough — 877 7. Denali Borough — 1,826 8. Fairbanks North Star Borough — 96,849 9. Haines Borough — 2,530 10. Kenai Peninsula Borough — 61,920 11. Ketchikan Gateway Borough — 14,062 12. Kodiak Island Borough — 13,649 13. Lake and Peninsula Borough — 1,631 14. Matanuska-Susitna Borough — 121,761 15. North Slope Borough — 9,832 16. Northwest Arctic Borough — 7,621 17. Petersburg Borough — 3,266 18. Skagway Municipality — 1,183 19. Yakutat City and Borough — 734
Census Areas (Unorganized Borough): 20. Aleutians West Census Area — 5,209 21. Bethel Census Area — 18,386 22. Chugach Census Area — 6,813 23. Copper River Census Area — 2,603 24. Dillingham Census Area — 4,916 25. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area — 2,148 26. Kusilvak Census Area — 8,314 27. Nome Census Area — 9,925 28. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area — 5,765 29. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area — 6,893 30. Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area — 5,230
Boroughs in Alaska FAQs
How many boroughs are in Alaska?
Alaska has 19 organized boroughs and 11 census areas within the unorganized borough, for a total of 30 county equivalents. Four of the 19 organized boroughs are city boroughs — unified governments where the city and borough are merged into one. The rest are standalone boroughs with varying levels of authority.
Does Alaska have counties?
No — Alaska is one of only two states that doesn’t use counties. Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties; Alaska uses boroughs. The terminology difference is intentional — Alaska’s founders chose “boroughs” specifically to avoid the legal and political baggage associated with the county system in the Lower 48.
What is the difference between a borough and a county in Alaska?
The main difference is flexibility. Alaska’s boroughs have more adaptable authority structures than traditional counties — they can be classified as First Class, Second Class, Home Rule, or unified city-boroughs depending on their population and needs. Counties in other states have more standardized powers. Alaska’s system was designed to accommodate a state with massive geographic variation and wildly different population densities.
What is the largest borough in Alaska?
By area, the North Slope Borough is the largest organized borough — covering approximately 88,800 square miles, larger than many US states. By population, the Municipality of Anchorage is the largest, home to roughly 291,000 people — nearly 40% of Alaska’s entire population in a single borough.
What is the smallest borough in Alaska?
By population, Yakutat City and Borough is the smallest organized borough with fewer than 750 residents spread over more than 7,600 square miles. By area, the Municipality of Skagway is the smallest organized borough at around 434 square miles — though it’s also one of the most visited due to its role as a cruise ship port.
What is the unorganized borough in Alaska?
The unorganized borough covers roughly 56% of Alaska’s total land area — all the territory not included in any of the 19 organized boroughs. It’s administered directly by the state government rather than a local borough government. For census and statistical purposes it’s divided into 11 census areas, but these aren’t governments — they’re just geographic divisions used for data collection.
What borough is Anchorage in?
Anchorage is its own borough — the Municipality of Anchorage is one of Alaska’s four city boroughs, meaning the city and borough governments are merged into one unified structure. It’s home to nearly 40% of Alaska’s total population.
What borough is Fairbanks in?
Fairbanks is located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska’s second most populous borough with roughly 97,000 residents. It’s an organized borough covering about 7,400 square miles in Alaska’s interior.
What borough is Homer in?
Homer is located in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, one of Alaska’s largest organized boroughs covering the entire Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage. The borough has a population of around 62,000 and includes communities like Soldotna, Kenai, Seward, and Homer.
What borough is Juneau in?
Juneau is its own city borough — the City and Borough of Juneau is one of Alaska’s four unified city boroughs. It’s the state capital, accessible only by plane or boat, with a population of around 32,000.
More Alaska Guides
- Chitina Alaska — deep in the Copper River Census Area
- How Big Is Alaska? — the numbers that put the state’s scale in perspective
- Best Places to Live in Alaska — which borough is right for you
- 100 Fun Facts About Alaska — more surprising Alaska facts
- Famous People From Alaska — notable Alaskans from across the state
- Retiring in Alaska — what borough to choose if you’re moving there
- Nome Hotels — one of the most remote boroughs in Alaska
- Prince of Wales Island — life in one of Alaska’s least-known boroughs