The economy in the Lower 48 is doing well, which can draw some workers to more comfortable climates…
Hunsinger: “This is the second year that we’ve had net migration losses, but the first year in a long time that we’ve actually seen a small decrease in population for Alaska.”
State demographer Eddie Hunsinger said the State saw a net migration loss of 7,500 people (50,000 people moved out of Alaska and only 40,000 moved in). Added to the number of births and deaths in the state, it’s the first time since the oil price slump of the 80’s that Alaska’s population shrank overall.
Defying the odds, the Kenai Peninsula had a net migration gain…
Hunsinger: “Population has gone up steadily from 2010, it’s gained a couple thousand people. Gone from about 55,000 to 57,000 people there.”
The only other area in Alaska with a gain was the Mat-Su, which continues to be the State’s fastest-growing borough.
