Breeds in Aleutian Is (eastern from Unimak I and Shumagin Is) and western and north-central Alaska, western Canada (central Yukon and probably south-western Northwest Territories south to southern British Columbia and south-western Alberta) and adjacent USA (extreme north-western Washington). Non-breeding from southern Alaska and southern British Columbia south to south-western USA (south to western California and eastern Nevada) and north-western Mexico (northern and central Baja California, rarely south to Sonora).
 
Population
Estimated population is 5,000,000 (2010).
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) [XC354818]
by Paul Marvin from Nome-Kougarok Road, Nome, Alaska, United States (song)
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) [XC448836]
by Thomas Magarian from Big Laguna Lake, Cleveland National Forest (near Mount Laguna), San Diego County, California, United States (call, song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Genus probably close to Junco. Perhaps most closely related to White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), with which it sometimes hybridizes. Hybridizes less frequently with White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).