Population data from the latest U.S. Census counted in 2019 which is the latest available, compared to the data of 2018, shows Alaska losing a higher percentage of residents than any other state in the nation.
There was a population change of almost 6,000 people, or a loss of .8 percent. Zippia, a website resource for job-seekers, compiled the study that points out that their studies show that it has less to do with the uniquely Alaskan climate and natural challenges and more to do with the economy. As students graduate college, they tend not to be retained at a high enough rate to replace those who moved to Alaska during the oil boom 40 years ago, who are also retiring to move somewhere warmer.
According to the study, California, Texas, and Florida are the states where Alaskans moved to most frequently.
The state on the other end of the spectrum was Idaho, which gained almost 33,000 residents, or 1.87% during the same timeframe that Alaska saw its nation-leading loss.