Alaska as a state has historically had a young demographic however now the “baby-boomers” are aging into senior status.
Demographer David Howell with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development said if that group stays in Alaska, it will be a large change in demographics.
Howell: “Historically we have not had a senior citizen population so we don’t have some of the things in place that this population might need and that will definitely lead to changes. But for the most part our migration by age is pretty stable by an annual basis and a lot of people come in and out of the state, about 40,000 move people move in and about 40,000 people move out every year”
He added there is still a positive migration of people in their 20’s and working ages.
Howell: “This also causes net immigration at the youngest ages as they bring their children with them but we do see losses at the 65+ age group, its not huge losses but it is a negative net migration at these older ages.”
Howell said that as people start to retire it will be interesting to see if the workforce replenishes itself from inside Alaska or from other states migration.