Where is Kotzebue, Alaska, USA?

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: April 28, 2026 | 14:51 ET

Where is Kotzebue Located? - Kotzebue is a city located in the Northwest Arctic County of Alaska, United States. Kotzebue lies between 33.0581 Degrees North latitudes and 112.0476 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Kotzebue, Alaska

Where is Kotzebue, Alaska

Kotzebue Map, Alaska, USA

Where is Kotzebue?: The Google Map showing the location of Kotzebue in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Where is Kotzebue Located?

Kotzebue is a city located in the Northwest Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska, United States. Kotzebue lies between 33.0581 Degrees North latitudes and 112.0476 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Kotzebue city is 3102 people and the city has a total area of 24.76 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Kotzebue, Alaska Quick Facts

Property Details
CityKotzebue
BoroughNorthwest Arctic Borough
StateAlaska
State CapitalJuneau
US RegionWestern United States
Latitude66.8983° N
Longitude162.5969° W
Elevation10 ft (3 m)
Land Area27.04 sq mi
Water Area1.29 sq mi
Total Area28.33 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)3,102
Population DensityApproximately 115 per sq mi
ZIP Code99752
Area Code907
Time Zone StandardAlaska Standard Time (AKST, UTC−9)
Time Zone DaylightAlaska Daylight Time (AKDT, UTC−8)
CurrencyUnited States Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code02-42080
Congressional DistrictAlaska At-Large Congressional District

Transportation and Connectivity in Kotzebue

Category Details
Airport NameRalph Wien Memorial Airport
IATA CodeOTZ
PortPort of Kotzebue
Major RoadsLocal road network (no highway connection to the Alaska road system)
Public TransitLocal taxi services and community transportation
Regional AccessAir service, seasonal barges, and snowmobile/boat access to nearby villages
  • Ralph Wien Memorial Airport: Provides scheduled passenger and cargo flights connecting Kotzebue with Anchorage and villages across Northwest Alaska.
  • Port of Kotzebue: Handles seasonal cargo shipments that supply the community and surrounding Arctic villages.
  • No Road Connection: Kotzebue is not connected to Alaska's highway system and depends primarily on air and seasonal marine transportation.
  • Regional Hub: The city serves as the principal transportation and service center for the Northwest Arctic Borough.

Top Places to Visit in Kotzebue, Alaska

Landmark Name Type
Northwest Arctic Heritage CenterVisitor Center & Museum
Cape Krusenstern National MonumentNational Monument
Selawik National Wildlife RefugeWildlife Refuge
Kotzebue SoundNatural Attraction
Arctic Museum of the Native PeopleMuseum
Sheshalik Archaeological SiteHistoric Site
Northwest Arctic Borough Cultural CenterCultural Center
Kotzebue WaterfrontScenic Area
Noatak National Preserve (nearby)National Preserve
Kobuk Valley National Park (accessible by air)National Park

Driving Distances from Kotzebue, Alaska to Nearby Communities

Community State Distance Travel Method
NoatakAlaskaNo road connectionAir or boat
KianaAlaskaNo road connectionAir or boat
NoorvikAlaskaNo road connectionAir or boat
AmblerAlaskaNo road connectionAir
BucklandAlaskaNo road connectionAir
DeeringAlaskaNo road connectionAir
Point HopeAlaskaNo road connectionAir
NomeAlaskaNo road connectionAir
FairbanksAlaskaNo road connectionAir
AnchorageAlaskaNo road connectionAir

Colleges and Universities near Kotzebue, Alaska

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Chukchi Campus – University of Alaska FairbanksPublicCommunity CampusRural education, workforce development, and Alaska Native studies
University of Alaska FairbanksPublicResearch UniversityArctic research, engineering, natural sciences, and indigenous studies
Ilisagvik CollegePublic TribalCommunity CollegeIñupiat culture, vocational education, and associate degree programs
University of Alaska AnchoragePublicResearch UniversityBusiness, health sciences, engineering, and distance education
Alaska Pacific UniversityPrivateUniversityEnvironmental sciences and outdoor leadership

Waterbodies in Kotzebue, Alaska

Kotzebue Sound, Chukchi Sea, Noatak River, Kobuk River, Selawik River, Hotham Inlet, Baldwin Peninsula, Eschscholtz Bay

Stadiums in Kotzebue

Kotzebue High School Athletic Field, Kotzebue Recreation Center Gymnasium, Northwest Arctic Borough Sports Complex, June Nelson Elementary Athletic Field, Arctic Youth Sports Fields

Kotzebue, Alaska — Key Historical Facts

  • Kotzebue has been home to the Iñupiat people for centuries and developed as an important seasonal trading center along the Arctic coast.
  • The community was named after Kotzebue Sound, which honors Baltic German explorer Otto von Kotzebue, who surveyed the area in the early nineteenth century.
  • During the twentieth century, Kotzebue became a regional hub for transportation, healthcare, education, and government services across Northwest Alaska.
  • The city's economy has traditionally relied on subsistence hunting and fishing, along with regional commerce, aviation, and public services.
  • Today, Kotzebue serves as the administrative center of the Northwest Arctic Borough and provides essential services to numerous remote Arctic villages.

References

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