Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Alaska
How local government works in Alaska, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Alaska’s Local Wiki pages below.
Alaska has no counties — its equivalent units are "boroughs." Only about 19 of roughly 30 county-equivalent areas are organized boroughs with an actual elected government (an assembly, often plus a mayor or manager); the rest of the state is the "Unorganized Borough," which has no borough-level government at all. In an organized borough, contact the borough assembly or clerk for meetings and records, much like a county elsewhere. In the Unorganized Borough there is no local government to contact for county-type matters — residents rely on state agencies, or an incorporated city government where one exists.
Most states place local governance in a county government, often a small elected commission; Alaska instead uses boroughs, and large parts of the state have no local government layer at all, because low population density made traditional county-style government impractical outside its more populated areas.
Local government in Alaska
- Borough governments15
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse borough pages - Cities, towns & villages149
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - School districts0
Independent school districts, plus 55 school systems run by a county, city, or town government. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts17
Single-purpose governments — fire, water, library, parks, housing, transit, and more.
Counts: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Units listing. A consolidated city-county is counted once.
Local governments without a county page
Most of rural Alaska is in the Unorganized Borough, which has no borough government — its schools are run by Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) and a few city districts. They're grouped below by census area. Districts inside an organized borough are listed on that borough's Local Wiki page.
Aleutians West Census Area (3 school districts)
- Aleutian Region School District
- Pribilof School District
- Unalaska City School District
Bethel Census Area (3 school districts)
- Kuspuk School District
- Lower Kuskokwim School District
- Yupiit School District
Chugach Census Area (3 school districts)
- Chugach School District
- Cordova City School District
- Valdez City School District
Copper River Census Area (1 school district)
- Copper River School District
Dillingham Census Area (2 school districts)
- Dillingham City School District
- Southwest Region School District
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area (3 school districts)
- Chatham School District
- Hoonah City School District
- Pelican City School District
Kusilvak Census Area (3 school districts)
- Kashunamiut School District
- Lower Yukon School District
- Saint Mary's School District
Nome Census Area (2 school districts)
- Bering Strait School District
- Nome Public Schools
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (6 school districts)
- Annette Island School District
- Craig City School District
- Hydaburg City School District
- Kake City School District
- Klawock City School District
- Southeast Island School District
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area (2 school districts)
- Alaska Gateway School District
- Delta/Greely School District
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (6 school districts)
- Galena City School District
- Iditarod Area School District
- Nenana City School District
- Tanana City School District
- Yukon Flats School District
- Yukon-Koyukuk School District
Source: NCES Common Core of Data (via Urban Institute), 2022 directory — regular school districts only
Continue your own research