Alaska’s population increased by 932 people – 0.1 percent – from April 2020 to July 2021. The stats are based on population estimates released on Thursday by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This was the first increase since 2016. From 2010 to 2020, the population increased 0.32 percent. Across the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the population increased by 158 people or 0.21 percent from 2020 to 2021, while the population from 2010 to 2020 increased by 3,399 people or 0.60 percent.
Despite slight overall growth, net migration – in-migrants minus out-migrants – accounted for a loss of 4,398 people. Alaska has lost more movers than it has gained every year since 2013, but losses slowed during the pandemic as fewer people moved nationwide.
Alaska’s under-18 and 18-to-64-year-old populations each declined 1 percent, and the 65-and-older group grew 6-percent. The state’s highest median age was 49 in the Hoonah-Angoon Census Area. The Kusilvak Census area was youngest at 24.2. The Kenai Peninsula Borough’s was 42.1.
Twenty-one of Alaska’s 30 boroughs and census areas lost population over the period. Fairbanks grew the most, gaining 1,860 people, followed by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (1,724). Anchorage lost the most by 1,550 people.
Complete estimates for the state, boroughs/census areas, cities and census-designated places are available here. Also available are estimates for census tracts, school districts and Alaska Native Regional Corporations and estimates by age and sex for each borough and census area and for places with populations of 1,000 or more.
