A 2014 analysis by The Atlantic found the Aleutians West Census Area to be the most racially diverse county-equivalent in the United States.

13.89% reported speaking Tagalog at home, while 11.22% spoke Spanish, 5.97% Aleut, and 4.51% Vietnamese.

The largest community in the Aleutians West Census Area is the city of Unalaska.

At the federal level, the Aleutians West Census Area is part of Alaska's at-large congressional district along with the rest of the state.

In presidential elections, it has consistently backed Democrats since 2012, although Kamala Harris won the borough by five votes in 2024.