Anchorage, AK

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2021 Population

399,352

0.0245% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lisa Murkowski

Republican Party

US Senator

Dan Sullivan

Republican Party

US Representative

Mary Peltola

Democratic Party

2021 Median Age

34.8

1.46% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

9.55%

3.43% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$86,252

4.06% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$306,700

1.86% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

189,261

0.000528% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Anchorage, AK had a population of 399k people with a median age of 34.8 and a median household income of $86,252. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Anchorage, AK declined from 399,450 to 399,352, a −0.0245% decrease and its median household income grew from $82,890 to $86,252, a 4.06% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Anchorage, AK are White (Non-Hispanic) (61.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (8.84%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (7.39%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (6.58%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (4.13%).

None of the households in Anchorage, AK reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

96.7% of the residents in Anchorage, AK are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Anchorage, AK are University of Alaska Anchorage (2,079 degrees awarded in 2021), Alaska Career College (237 degrees), and Alaska Pacific University (136 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Anchorage, AK was $306,700, and the homeownership rate was 66.5%.

Most people in Anchorage, AK drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Anchorage, AK was 2 cars per household.

Anchorage, AK borders .

About the photo: Anchorage Ice Sculpting

Photo by Emma Forsberg

United States Alaska

Population & Diversity

Anchorage, AK is home to a population of 399k people, from which 96.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 9.02% of Anchorage, AK residents were born outside of the country (36k people).

In 2021, there were 7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (247k people) in Anchorage, AK than any other race or ethnicity. There were 35.3k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 29.5k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

96.7%

2021 Citizenship

96.7%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 96.7% of Anchorage, AK residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Anchorage, AK was 96.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Anchorage, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Anchorage, AK

White (Non-Hispanic)
247k ± 842
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
35.3k ± 2.05k
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
29.5k ± 987

8.4%

Hispanic Population

33.5k people

8.4% of the people in Anchorage, AK are hispanic (33.5k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Anchorage, AK as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Alaska.

Most Common Origin

Philippines
20,618 ± 3,476 people
Thailand
3,480 ± 1,445 people
Mexico
3,321 ± 1,412 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Alaska was Philippines, the natal country of 20,618 Alaska residents, followed by Thailand with 3,480 and Mexico with 3,321.

Foreign-Born Population

9.02%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

36k people

8.83%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

35.3k people

As of 2021, 9.02% of Anchorage, AK residents (36k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Anchorage, AK was 8.83%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Anchorage, AK compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Gulf War (2001-)
13,909 ± 892
Vietnam
8,798 ± 728
Gulf War (1990s)
7,025 ± 653

Anchorage, AK has a large population of military personnel who served in Gulf War (2001-), 1.58 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Anchorage, AK employs 189k people. The largest industries in Anchorage, AK are Health Care & Social Assistance (29,148 people), Retail Trade (20,733 people), and Public Administration (18,664 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($122,865), Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($109,195), and Utilities ($90,957).

Males in Alaska have an average income that is 1.27 times higher than the average income of females, which is $59,604. The income inequality in Alaska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.437, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

189k

2021 Value

± 3,535

0.000528%

1 Year growth

± 2.56%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Anchorage, AK grew at a rate of 0.000528%, from 189k employees to 189k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Anchorage, AK, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (23,391 people), Management Occupations (20,363 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (15,886 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Anchorage, AK.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Alaska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

189k

2021 Value

± 3,535

0.000528%

1 Year growth

± 2.56%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Anchorage, AK grew at a rate of 0.000528%, from 189k employees to 189k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Anchorage, AK, are Health Care & Social Assistance (29,148 people), Retail Trade (20,733 people), and Public Administration (18,664 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Anchorage, AK, though some of these residents may live in Anchorage, AK and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$57,175

Median earning men ± $1,712

$41,267

Median earning women ± $921

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($111,681), Public Administration ($75,910), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($69,074).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($82,500), Information ($56,354), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,316).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Alaska. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Alaska.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

5,434
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
2,729
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
2,060
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$4.71M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$2.76M
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services
$1.46M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska product (by dollars) was Electronics with $11B, followed by Crude petroleum ($7.58B) and Meat/seafood ($4.53B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Alaska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Alaska.

$43.1B

2020 Value in Alaska

$68.3B

Projected 2050 Value in Alaska

58.3% growth

In 2020, total outbound Alaska trade was $43.1B. This is expected to increase 58.3% to $68.3B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Alaska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Alaska to other states, or from other states to Alaska.

Most Common Trade Partners

California
$8.09B
Texas
$3.13B
Washington
$2.85B

In 2020, the top outbound Alaska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was California with $8.09B, followed by Texas with $3.13B and Washington and $2.85B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Alaska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing the state of Alaska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Anchorage, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Anchorage, AK. Showing the available data for Alaska.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (52.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.47%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Alaska went to Donald J. Trump with 52.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (42.8%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.47%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Alaska for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Alaska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Lisa Murkowski

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on December 20, 2002
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of her father Frank Murkowski, who was elected List of governors of Alaska|Governor of Alaska.

Dan Sullivan

Senator from Alaska

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan are the senators currently representing Alaska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Alaska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Anchorage, AK

Mary Peltola

Alaska at-large Representative

Democratic Party

Anchorage, AK is currently represented by Mary Peltola (Democratic Party).

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the member for Anchorage, AK have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Anchorage, AK awarded 2,457 degrees. The student population of Anchorage, AK in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 4,367 male students and 7,393 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Anchorage, AK are White (1,345 and 55.6%), followed by Two or More Races (279 and 11.5%), Hispanic or Latino (199 and 8.23%), and Asian (194 and 8.02%).

The largest universities in Anchorage, AK by number of degrees awarded are University of Alaska Anchorage (2,079 and 84.6%), Alaska Career College (237 and 9.65%), and Alaska Pacific University (136 and 5.54%).

The most popular majors in Anchorage, AK are Liberal Arts & Sciences (292 and 11.9%), Registered Nursing (171 and 6.96%), and General Business Administration & Management (148 and 6.02%).

The median tuition costs in Anchorage, AK are $15,275 for private four year colleges, and $7,224 and $23,072 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Anchorage, AK, the percentage of applicants admitted was 72.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 36.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 11,760 (37.1% men and 62.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 11,760 students enrolled in Anchorage, AK, 37.1% men and 62.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 5,666 records, of which 61.3% were women and 38.7% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Registered Nursing
157 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
73 degree-majors awarded
General Psychology
67 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Anchorage, AK was Registered Nursing with 157 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Anchorage, AK according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Alaska Anchorage
2,079 degrees awarded
Alaska Career College
237 degrees awarded
Alaska Pacific University
136 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Alaska Anchorage with 2,079 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 898 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Anchorage, AK, which is 0.576 times less than the 1,559 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 1,345 degrees mean that there were 4.82 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Two or More Races, with 279 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($15,275) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,526) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,320) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Measure

In 2021, 0.483% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.417% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (166k), Some college (150k), and Bachelors Degree (97.5k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Anchorage, AK was $306,700 in 2021, which is 1.25 times larger than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $301,100 to $306,700, a 1.86% increase. The homeownership rate in Anchorage, AK is 66.5%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Anchorage, AK have an average commute time of 22.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Anchorage, AK is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Anchorage, AK is $86,252. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Anchorage, AK was Aleutians West Census Area, AK with a value of $90,708, followed by Juneau City and Borough, AK and Anchorage Municipality, AK, with respective values of $90,126 and $88,871.

Housing

Property

$306,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,274

$96,270

Median Property Taxes

±$1,954

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Anchorage, AK the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Anchorage, AK compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

66.5%

Homeownership

2021

68.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 66.5% of the housing units in Anchorage, AK were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 65.6%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Anchorage, AK compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Anchorage, AK was Aleutians West Census Area, AK with a value of $90,708, followed by Juneau City and Borough, AK and Anchorage Municipality, AK, with respective values of $90,126 and $88,871.

The following map shows all of the counties in Anchorage, AK colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$86,252

Median Household Income

± $1,533

145k

Number of Households

± 2,889

In 2021, the median household income of the 145k households in Anchorage, AK grew to $86,252 from the previous year's value of $82,890.

The following chart displays the households in Anchorage, AK distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Anchorage, AK is from Alaska.

0.437

2021 Wage GINI in Alaska

0.435

2020 Wage GINI in Alaska

In 2021, the income inequality in Alaska was 0.437 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.513% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Alaska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Alaska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Alaska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (73.7%)
Carpooled (11.5%)
Worked At Home (7.42%)

In 2021, 73.7% of workers in Anchorage, AK drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.5%) and those who worked at home (7.42%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Anchorage, AK have a shorter commute time (22.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.68% of the workforce in Anchorage, AK have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Anchorage, AK compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Anchorage, AK distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Anchorage, AK have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

9.55% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Anchorage, AK (37.3k out of 391k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Males 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Anchorage, AK is White, followed by Native American and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

88.6% of the population of Anchorage, AK has health coverage, with 44.6% on employee plans, 16.2% on Medicaid, 7.25% on Medicare, 14.4% on non-group plans, and 6.18% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Alaska see 1025 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.12% decrease from the previous year (1069 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 983 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 161 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Alaska.

1,025 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Alaska

Primary care physicians in Alaska see an average of 1,025 patients per year. This represents a 4.12% decrease from the previous year (1,069 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Alaska in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 27% under 18 years, 22.7% between 18 and 34 years, 38.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.8% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 50.4% were men and 49.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.4%

Uninsured

44.6%

Employer Coverage

16.2%

Medicaid

7.25%

Medicare

14.4%

Non-Group

6.18%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Anchorage, AK declined by 1.59% from 11.6% to 11.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Anchorage, AK changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.