Deering is located on Kotzebue Sound at the mouth of the Inmachuk River, 57 miles southwest of Kotzebue. It is built on a flat sand and gravel spit 300 feet wide and a half-mile long. It lies at approximately 66.07497° North Latitude and -162.71274° West Longitude. (Sec. 20, T008N, R019W, Kateel River Meridian.) Deering is located in the Cape Nome Recording District. The area encompasses 5.1 sq. miles of land and 0.1 sq. miles of water. Deering is located in the transitional climate zone which is characterized by long, cold winters and cool summers. The average low temperature during January is -18; the average high during July is 63. Temperature extremes have been measured from -60 to 85. Snowfall averages 36 inches, with a total precipitation of 9 inches per year. Kotzebue Sound is ice-free from early July until mid-October.

The village was established in 1901 as a supply station for Interior gold mining near the historic Malemiut Eskimo village of "Inmachukmiut." The name Deering was probably taken from the 90-ton schooner "Abbey Deering," which was in nearby waters around 1900. The City was incorporated in 1970.
A federally recognized tribe is located in the community -- the Native Village of Deering. 94.1% of the population are Alaska Native or part Native. The population of the village is primarily Inupiat Eskimo. The people are active in subsistence. The sale or importation of alcohol is banned in the village.

During the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 61 total housing units, and 19 were vacant. 9 of these vacant housing units are used only seasonally. 44 residents were employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 16.98%, although 51.65% of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $33,333, per capita income was $11,000, and 5.76% of residents were living below the poverty level.

Water is derived from the Inmachuk River, is treated and pumped to a 400,000-gallon insulated storage tank. Water is delivered to home tanks or hauled from the watering point. Major improvements are under construction for a water haul and vacuum sewer system. A new washeteria and water treatment plant are nearing completion. Archaeological remains were discovered while excavating for the new system. The City would like to purchase an incinerator with waste heat recovery to reduce the volume of refuse.
Electricity is provided by Ipnatchiaq Electric Company.

There is one school located in the community, attended by 43 students.

Local hospitals or health clinics include Deering Health Clinic.

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