Alaska

State

Add Comparison

2019 Population

731,545

0.799% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Party

US Senator

Dan Sullivan

Republican Party

US Representative

Don Young

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

0.287% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

10.7%

1.02% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$75,463

1.5% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$281,200

1.85% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

334,191

3.46% 1-year decline

About

In 2019, Alaska had a population of 732k people with a median age of 35 and a median household income of $75,463. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Alaska declined from 737,438 to 731,545, a −0.799% decrease and its median household income grew from $74,346 to $75,463, a 1.5% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Alaska are White (Non-Hispanic) (59.8%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (15.5%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (6.96%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (5.92%), and White (Hispanic) (4.38%). 0% of the households in Alaska speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

97.1% of the residents in Alaska are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Alaska are University of Alaska Anchorage (2,339 degrees awarded in 2020), University of Alaska Fairbanks (1,383 degrees), and University of Alaska Southeast (556 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Alaska was $281,200, and the homeownership rate was 64.7%. Most people in Alaska drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Alaska was 2 cars per household.

Alaska borders .

About the photo: Approaching Sawyer Glacier in the Tracy Arm Fjord valley of mountains and waterfalls.

Photo by Ian D. Keating

United States

Diversity

Alaska is home to a population of 732k people, from which 97.1% are citizens. As of 2019, 7.88% of Alaska residents were born outside of the country (57.7k people).

In 2019, there were 3.86 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (438k people) in Alaska than any other race or ethnicity. There were 113k American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) and 50.9k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Alaska

White (Non-Hispanic)
438k ± 2.14k
American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
113k ± 3.89k
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
50.9k ± 5.03k

7.18%

Hispanic Population

52.5k people

7.18% of the people in Alaska are hispanic (52.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Alaska as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

7.88%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

57.7k people

7.78%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

57.4k people

As of 2019, 7.88% of Alaska residents (57.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Alaska was 7.78%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Alaska compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.2

In 2019, the median age of all people in Alaska was 35. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 34, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 46. But people in Alaska are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Alaska residents was 35.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Philippines
17,039 ± 3,167 people
Korea
4,112 ± 1,570 people
Canada
3,462 ± 1,441 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alaska was Philippines, the natal country of 17,039 Alaska residents, followed by Korea with 4,112 and Canada with 3,462.

Citizenship

97.1%

2019 Citizenship

96.7%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 97.1% of Alaska residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Alaska was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Alaska compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
20,032 ± 2,440
Vietnam
14,567 ± 1,696
Gulf War (1990s)
11,200 ± 1,934

Alaska has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.38 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Alaska, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alaska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Alaska. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alaska.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Alaska across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Alaska is $75,463. In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Alaska was Anchorage Municipality, AK with a value of $82,716, followed by Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK and Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK, with respective values of $74,709 and $72,065.

Males in Alaska have an average income that is 1.17 times higher than the average income of females, which is $56,460. The income inequality in Alaska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.42, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Alaska employs 334k people. The largest industries in Alaska are Elementary & secondary schools (21,860 people), Construction (20,570 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (16,226 people), and the highest paying industries are Petroleum refining ($178,127), Oil & gas extraction ($137,579), and Petroleum & petroleum products merchant wholesalers ($135,932).

Wages

Median Household Income

$75,463

2019 value

± $2,694

1.5%

1 Year Growth

± 4.64%

Households in Alaska have a median annual income of $75,463, which is more than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $74,346 in 2018, which represents a 1.5% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Alaska compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

$66,016

Average Male Salary in Alaska

± $3,279

$56,460

Average Female Salary in Alaska

± $3,045

In 2019, full-time male employees in Alaska made 1.17 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Alaska by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Alaska

American Indian
$65,825 ± $17,301
White
$59,450 ± $2,661
Asian
$49,062 ± $8,105

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Alaska workers was American Indian. These workers were paid 1.11 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Alaska.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Alaska by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

0.42

2019 Wage GINI in Alaska

0.455

2018 Wage GINI in Alaska

In 2019, the income inequality in Alaska was 0.42 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 7.79% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Alaska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alaska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alaska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2019, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Alaska was Anchorage Municipality, AK with a value of $82,716, followed by Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK and Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK, with respective values of $74,709 and $72,065.

The following map shows all of the counties in Alaska colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

10.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Alaska (76.9k out of 719k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 25 - 34 and then Females 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
33,623 ± 1,359
Native American
25,475 ± 859
Two Or More
6,825 ± 581

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Alaska is White, followed by Native American and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

334k

2019 Value

−3.46%

1 Year decline

± −3.46%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Alaska declined at a rate of −3.46%, from 346k employees to 334k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Alaska, are Other managers (8,751 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (8,165 people), and Registered nurses (7,979 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Alaska.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Alaska, by number of employees, are Other managers (8,751 people), Elementary & middle school teachers (8,165 people), and Registered nurses (7,979 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, Alaska has an unusually high number of residents working as Fishing and hunting workers (27.5 times higher than expected), Ship & boat captains & operators (15.2 times), and Petroleum, mining & geological engineers, including mining safety engineers (9.05 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Alaska, by average salary, are Physicians ($213,977), Project management specialists ($173,153), and Firstline supervisors of construction trades & extraction workers ($157,904).

Industries

Employment by Industries

334k

2019 Value

−3.46%

1 Year decline

± −3.46%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Alaska declined at a rate of −3.46%, from 346k employees to 334k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Alaska, are Elementary & secondary schools (21,860 people), Construction (20,570 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (16,226 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Alaska, though some of these residents may live in Alaska and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Alaska, by number of employees, are Elementary & secondary schools (21,860 people), Construction (20,570 people), and General medical and surgical hospitals, and specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (16,226 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other states, Alaska has an unusually high number of Fishing, hunting & trapping (26.3 times higher than expected), Metal ore mining (20.5 times), and U. S Coast Guard (16.3 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Alaska, by average salary, are Petroleum refining ($178,127), Oil & gas extraction ($137,579), and Petroleum & petroleum products merchant wholesalers ($135,932).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska product (by dollars) was Crude petroleum with $10.1B, followed by Electronics ($7.84B) and Meat/seafood ($4.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alaska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alaska.

$41.8B

2020 Value in Alaska

$68.3B

Projected 2050 Value in Alaska

63.4% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alaska trade was $41.8B. This is expected to increase 63.4% to $68.3B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alaska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$10.4B
Washington
$3.24B
Texas
$1.15B

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $10.4B, followed by Washington with $3.24B and Texas and $1.15B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alaska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%). The most partisan county was Anchorage Municipality, AK with 65.1% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing the state of Alaska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Alaska is currently represented by Don Young in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.47%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alaska for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Alaska

52.8% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Alaska

Anchorage Municipality, AK
65.1% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Aleutians East Borough, AK
60.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Aleutians West Census Area, AK
52.6% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Alaska was Anchorage Municipality, AK with 65.1% of the vote going to Joseph R Biden Jr. running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Alaska colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Alaska

Lisa Murkowski

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on December 20, 2002
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of her father Frank Murkowski, who was elected List of Governors of Alaska|Governor of Alaska.

Dan Sullivan

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing Alaska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alaska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Alaska

Don Young

Alaska at-large Representative

Republican Party

Alaska is currently represented by Don Young (Republican Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Alaska have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Alaska awarded 4,758 degrees. The student population of Alaska is skewed towards women, with 8,392 male students and 13,899 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Alaska are White (2,749 and 59.2%), followed by Two or More Races (407 and 8.76%), Unknown (380 and 8.18%), and Hispanic or Latino (345 and 7.43%).

The largest universities in Alaska by number of degrees awarded are University of Alaska Anchorage (2,339 and 49.2%), University of Alaska Fairbanks (1,383 and 29.1%), and University of Alaska Southeast (556 and 11.7%).

The most popular majors in Alaska are Liberal Arts & Sciences (485 and 10.2%), General Business Administration & Management (364 and 7.65%), and Medical Assistant (176 and 3.7%).

The median tuition costs in Alaska are $14,675 for private four year colleges, and $7,237 and $23,113 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
99 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
190 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
151 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Alaska was General Psychology with 99 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Alaska according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Alaska Anchorage
2,339 degrees awarded
University of Alaska Fairbanks
1,383 degrees awarded
University of Alaska Southeast
556 degrees awarded

$7,237

Median In-State Public

$14,675

Median Private

In 2020, the Alaska institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Alaska Anchorage with 2,339 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

1,849

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,909

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 1,849 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Alaska, which is 0.636 times less than the 2,909 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Alaska by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
2,749 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
407 degrees awarded
Unknown
380 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Alaska was White students. These 2,749 degrees mean that there were 6.75 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 407 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Alaska was $281,200 in 2019, which is 1.17 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $276,100 to $281,200, a 1.85% increase. The homeownership rate in Alaska is 64.7%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Alaska have an average commute time of 19.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Alaska is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$281,200

2019 Median

± $5,927

$276,100

2018 Median

± $4,365

In 2019, the median property value in Alaska grew to to $281,200 from the previous year's value of $276,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Alaska compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Alaska the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$75,463

Median Household Income

± $2,694

252k

Number of Households

± 7,786

In 2019, the median household income of the 252k households in Alaska grew to $75,463 from the previous year's value of $74,346.

The following chart displays the households in Alaska distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Alaska distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Alaska the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

64.7%

2019 Homeownership

65.6%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 64.7% of the housing units in Alaska were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 65.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Alaska compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

19.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Alaska have a shorter commute time (19.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26 minutes). Additionally, 2.39% of the workforce in Alaska have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Alaska compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (70%)
Carpooled (12%)
Walked (7.07%)

In 2019, 70% of workers in Alaska drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (12%) and those who walked to work (7.07%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Alaska distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Alaska have 2 cars, followed by false.

Health

87.8% of the population of Alaska has health coverage, with 42.6% on employee plans, 18.2% on Medicaid, 8.48% on Medicare, 13.2% on non-group plans, and 5.24% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Alaska was $11,064 in 2014. This is a 6.1% increase from the previous year ($10,428).

Primary care physicians in Alaska see 1069 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.73% decrease from the previous year (1099 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 978 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 200 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wrangell City and Borough has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.7%). Additionally, Aleutians East Borough has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (51.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,069 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alaska

Primary care physicians in Alaska see an average of 1,069 patients per year. This represents a 2.73% decrease from the previous year (1,099 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alaska in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

$11,064

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Alaska

$5,958

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,001

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,288

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Alaska (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 6.1%, from $10,428 to $11,064.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

12.2%

Uninsured

42.6%

Employer Coverage

18.2%

Medicaid

8.48%

Medicare

13.2%

Non-Group

5.24%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Alaska declined by 3.39% from 12.6% to 12.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Alaska changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

Wrangell City and Borough
18.7% prevalence
Bristol Bay Borough
17.6% prevalence
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area
15.1% prevalence

Wrangell City and Borough has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Alaska, at 18.7%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Alaska by county over multiple years.

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