Alaska: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries

Alaska Atlas of Historical County Boundaries

John H. Long, Editor; Peggy Tuck Sinko, Associate Editor; Douglas Knox, Book Digitizing Director; Emily Kelley, Digital Compiler; Laura Rico-Beck, GIS Specialist; Peter Siczewicz, ArcIMS Interactive Map Designer; Robert Will, Cartographic Assistant

Copyright The Newberry Library 2009

30 March 1867

The United States acquired Alaska from Russia. Presidential proclamation issued 20 June 1867. Alaska was considered an "unorganized territory" with no organized civil government. (Parry, 134:331-335; Swindler, 1:163-168)

1 June 1880

1880 census. Alaska was divided into 2 districts for census purposes: Northern and Southern. For statistical purposes the Northern District comprised 2 smaller census divisions: Arctic District and Yukon District. Southern District comprised 4 smaller census divisions: Aleutian District (renamed Unalaska for 1890 census), Kodiak District, Kuskokwim District, and Southeastern District. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 24; Compendium of 1890 Census, cxxvi, 916-917; 1900 U.S. Census, xiii-xiv, 47)

17 May 1884

The United States Congress established a civil government for Alaska. This act was limited and resulted in a partial organization of Alaska as a territory. (Swindler, 1:168-174)

2 June 1890

1890 census. Alaska was divided into 2 districts for census purposes: Northern and Southern. For statistical purposes the Northern District comprised 2 smaller census divisions: Arctic District and Yukon District. Southern District comprised 5 smaller census divisions: Unalaska District, Kodiak District, Kuskokwim District, Nushagak District and Southeastern District. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 24; 1900 U.S. Census, xiii-xiv, 47)

1890 census. Arctic District gained from Yukon District in the 1880s. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 24; Compendium of 1890 Census, cxxvi, 916-917)

1890 census. Kuskokwim District lost territory to Nushagak District in 1880s. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 24; Compendium of 1890 Census, cxxvi, 916-917)

1 June 1900

1900 census. Alaska was divided into 2 districts for census purposes: Northern and Southern. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 24; 1900 U.S. Census, xiii-xiv, 47)

3 March 1909

The United States Congress established 4 judicial districts to cover all of Alaska. Districts were numbered 1 through 4. (U.S. Stat., vol. 35, ch. 269[1909], sec. 2/pp. 839-840)

15 April 1910

1910 census. First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, Third Judicial District, and Fourth Judicial District each served as a census area. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 25; 1910 U.S. Census, 586-587; U.S. Stat., vol. 35, ch. 269 [1909], sec. 2/pp. 839-840; NHGIS)

24 August 1912

Alaska was fully organized as a territory in the United States. (U.S. Stat., vol. 37, ch. 387[1912]/pp. 512-518; Van Zandt, 29)

1 January 1920

1920 census. First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, Third Judicial District, and Fourth Judicial District each served as a census area. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 25; 1920 U.S. Census, 680; NHGIS)

2 March 1921

Alaska judicial district boundaries were redefined: Fourth Judicial District gained from Second and Third Judicial Districts; First Judicial District boundaries did not change. (U.S. Stat., vol. 41, part 1, ch. 110 [1921]/pp. 1203-1204)

1 April 1930

1930 census. First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, Third Judicial District, and Fourth Judicial District each served as a census area. 1930 Alaska census was taken in the fall of 1929. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 25; 1950 Census of Population, 42; NHGIS)

1 April 1940

1940 census. First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, Third Judicial District, and Fourth Judicial District each served as a census area. 1940 Alaska census was taken 1 October 1939. (Thorndale & Dollarhide, 25; 1950 Census of Population, 42; NHGIS)

1 June 1948

Fourth Judicial District gained from Third Judicial District. (U.S. Stat., vol. 62, part 1, ch. 363/pp. 283-284)

1 April 1950

1950 census. First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, Third Judicial District, and Fourth Judicial District each served as a census area. (1950 Census of Population, 42; NHGIS)

3 January 1959

Alaska was admitted to the Union as the 49th state. Presidential proclamation issued this date. (Swindler, 1:208-225; Van Zandt, 165)

1 April 1960

1960 census. Alaska divided into 24 Election Districts which served as census areas. (1960 Census of Population, 51; NHGIS)

1 April 1970

1970 census. Alaska was divided into 29 census areas. (1970 Census of Population, 90; NACO, Alaska; NHGIS; U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes"; "City/Borough of Juneau," http://www.juneau.org/history-old/histoutl.php)

1 April 1980

1980 census. Alaska was divided into 23 census areas. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes"; Forstall, 12; NACO, Alaska; NHGIS)

1 April 1990

1990 census. Alaska was divided into 25 census areas. (U.S. Census Bureau, "Significant Changes"; Forstall 12; NACO, Alaska; NHGIS)

1 April 2000

2000 census. Alaska was divided into 27 census areas. (Census 2000 Data Alaska; NHGIS; U.S. Census Bureau, 1990s Boundary Changes)