Population 735,706 · Census ACS 2020–24
Choose a measure to map it.Tap a measure to map it. Swipe the row for more. Arrows show the change since 2006–10.
Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
Younger residents
Older residents
Colorblind friendly
off
More maps of Alaska: Best Neighborhoods · Walk Grade · Household income · Home prices · Race · Politics · Traffic noise · Internet
Population and households in Alaska
Household size in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.79 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.88 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.91 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.72 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Households in Alaska average 2.72 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Household size has edged down from 2.79 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Households are largest in western Alaska and smallest in southeastern Alaska.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 35.2 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.1 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Alaska is 37.1 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 35.0, in line with the national trend. Only three of the 50 states and D.C. are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.4% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 12.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Alaska (11.8%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Alaska
Renters in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 36.7% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 33.2% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in Alaska is about as common as it is nationally: 33.2% of households rent, against 34.8%. Among homeowners, 43.1% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 2.1 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.8% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 15.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Alaska: 15.2% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has edged up 1.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Alaska is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1987, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in western Alaska, while southeastern Alaska has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,067 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,192 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,322 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,518 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$451 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Alaska costs $1,518 a month with utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $451 a month from 2006–10, a 42% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.7% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Alaska
Bachelor's degrees in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 31.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over three in ten adults 25 and older in Alaska (31.1%) have a bachelor's degree or higher, a little below the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 4.9 points, mirroring the country.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 90.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.5% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.3% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Alaska is above the national rate: 93.3% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 2.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. Alaska has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five states.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Alaska
| Period | Alaska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs a little high in Alaska: 6.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 3.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Alaska compared with nearby states
| State | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 2.72 | 37.1 | 11.8% | 33.2% | 15.2% | 1987 | $1,518 | 31.1% | 93.3% | 6.2% |
| Washington | 2.61 | 39.6 | 10.1% | 36.2% | 7.6% | 1984 | $1,875 | 38.8% | 91.9% | 5.1% |
| Oregon | 2.50 | 41.6 | 10.4% | 36.7% | 7.4% | 1981 | $1,601 | 36.4% | 91.5% | 5.3% |
| Montana | 2.44 | 41.5 | 8.8% | 30.8% | 12.2% | 1982 | $1,189 | 35.3% | 94.6% | 3.7% |
| Idaho | 2.79 | 38.2 | 9.3% | 27.9% | 9.3% | 1989 | $1,407 | 31.7% | 92.1% | 3.8% |
| Nevada | 2.73 | 40.0 | 12.8% | 40.0% | 9.0% | 1995 | $1,787 | 27.5% | 87.1% | 6.9% |
| North Dakota | 2.38 | 37.4 | 8.8% | 37.1% | 12.0% | 1985 | $1,031 | 33.9% | 94.1% | 2.8% |
| Wyoming | 2.39 | 40.2 | 9.2% | 28.2% | 12.1% | 1981 | $1,091 | 30.6% | 94.1% | 3.8% |
| California | 3.01 | 39.0 | 12.3% | 44.1% | 7.3% | 1976 | $2,229 | 36.3% | 84.2% | 6.6% |
| Utah | 3.11 | 33.1 | 8.9% | 29.8% | 7.3% | 1991 | $1,701 | 38.3% | 93.5% | 3.5% |
| South Dakota | 2.48 | 38.9 | 10.7% | 31.4% | 10.3% | 1981 | $1,000 | 32.5% | 93.1% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
States with similar populations: Puerto Rico · Hawaii · Maine · Florida · Michigan · New Hampshire · Oregon · Texas · Vermont · Washington
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Alaska. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
No other site shows detail at this level for free. We are able to keep this site free by receiving a small commission from the referring links on this page. Please share or cite this page if you aren’t able to otherwise support our work.