Demographic and Economic Profile

Alaska
Updated August 2006

Metro and Nonmetro Counties in Alaska

Based on the most recent listing of core based statistical areas by the Office of
Management and Budget (December 2005), 3 counties in Alaska are part of metropolitan
areas, and 3 counties are part of micropolitan areas. The micropolitan category defines
counties that include an urban area with a population of 10,000 to 49,999 plus
surrounding counties that are linked through commuting ties. These areas often represent
important economic and trade centers in rural areas. The remaining 21 counties in
Alaska are considered noncore counties. Using these classifications and the population
estimates for 2005, 66.1 percent of Alaska residents live in metropolitan areas, 8.6
percent live in micropolitan areas, and 25.3 percent live in noncore areas.

Metro and Nonmetro Counties in Alaska

Metropolitan Counties
Nonmetro Counties:
Micropolitan Counties
Noncore Counties

Source: Office of Management and

Budget and U.S. Census Bureau
Map Prepared by RUPRI

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Population

Alaska’s population in July of 2005 was Percent Change in Population

663,661, up 5.9 percent from the 2000 Area: 1990-2000 2000-2005
Census. During the 1990s, the population in U.S. 13.1% 5.3%
Alaska increased by 14.0 percent. Alaska 14.0% 5.9%
Nationally, population increased 13.1 percent Metropolitan 17.1% 9.0%
during the 1990s and 5.3 percent from April Nonmetropolitan 8.8% 0.3%
2000 to July 2005. The population growth in Micropolitan 8.9% -2.4%
Alaska’s metropolitan areas outpaced the Noncore 8.8% 1.2%
nonmetropolitan areas during both time Source: U.S. Census Bureau
periods.

Population Percent Change, 1990-2000 During the 1990s, six

counties in Alaska lost
population, all of them
nonmetro. The fastest
Population decline
growth during this time
was Matanuska-Susitna
Population increase
less than 10% Borough, part of the
Population increase Anchorage Metropolitan
10% to 29.9%
Area, with a population
Population increase
30% or more increase of 49.5 percent.

Source: US Census Bureau

Census 1990 and 2000
Map prepared by RUPRI

Population Percent Change, 2000-2005 From 2000 to 2005, 14

counties in Alaska lost
population, all of them
Population decline nonmetro. The fastest
Population increase growth during this time
less than 10%

Population increase
was again in Matanuska-
10% or more Susitna Boroguh, with a
population increase of 28.1
percent.

Source: US Census Bureau

Population Estimates
Map prepared by RUPRI

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Race / Ethnicity

The population in Alaska is 70.5 percent white and 3.7 percent African American.
Nationally, the population is 80.2 percent white and 12.8 percent African American
(2005 Census Bureau population estimates). Native Americans and Alaska Natives make
up 16.0 percent of the population in Alaska. People of Hispanic origin make up 5.1
percent of Alaska’s population, compared to 14.4 percent of the total U.S. population.

Racial Composition of the Population in

Alaska and the U.S., 2005
90% U.S.

80% Alaska

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
White African Amer. Indian/ Asian Hawaiian/ Two or More
American Alaska Native Pac. Islander Races

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates

Within Alaska, the metropolitan population is 76.2 percent white, 5.1 percent African
American, and 7.9 percent Native American/Alaska Native. The micropolitan population
is 72.0 percent white, 1.1 percent African American, and 13.8 percent Native
American/Alaska Native. The noncore population is 55.0 percent white, 0.7 percent
African American, and 38.0 percent Native American/Alaska Native.

Racial Composition of the Population in Alaska

by CBSA Category, 2005
80%
Metropolitan
70% Micropolitan
Noncore
60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
White African Amer. Indian/ Asian Hawaiian/ Two or More
American Alaska Native Pac. Islander Races

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates

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In ten Alaska counties, whites account for less than half of total population. In eight
counties, Native Americans and Alaska Natives make up more than half of total
population. In Aleutians East Borough and Aleutians West Census Area, no race
accounts for a majority of total population; Whites, Asians, and Native Americans/Alaska
Natives all make up significant portions of total population.

Non-white Majority Counties, 2005

Native Americans/Alaska
Natives accounted for over
50% of population

No race accounted for

50% or more of
population
Other Counties

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population Estimates
Map prepared by RUPRI

Age

The chart below shows the age distribution of the metro and nonmetro populations in
Alaska. The percent of the population in the 20 to 44 age groups is greater in the metro
areas, while the percent of the population age 55 to 84 is greater in the nonmetro areas.

Age Distribution in Alaska

Metro and Nonmetro Portions, 2005
20%
Metro
18%
Nonmetro
16%

14%

12%

10%

8%

6%

4%

2%

0%
<5 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65-74 75-84 85+
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Age Group Note: Some age groups have been combined

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The Economic Research Service, USDA, classifies counties as retirement destination
counties based on population change due to inmigration. In Alaska, one county is
classified as a retirement destination county (Matanuska-Susitna Borough).

ERS County Typology:

Retirement Destination Counties
“number of residents 60
and older grew by 15
percent or more between
1990 and 2000 due to
inmigration ” (ERS, USDA)

ERS Retirement
Destination Counties
Other Counties

Source: Economic Research Service, USDA

Map prepared by RUPRI

Educational Attainment

The percent of the population age 25 and over that has earned a Bachelor’s Degree or
higher is 24.4 percent in the U.S. and 24.7 percent in Alaska. In metro areas of Alaska,
this percentage is 27.0, compared to 20.7 in nonmetro areas.

Percent of Population 25 Years and Over

with a Bachelor’s Degree or Higher, 2000

Less than 15%

15% to 20%
Higher than 20%

Source: US Census Bureau

Census 2000
Map prepared by RUPRI

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The chart below compares the educational attainment of Alaska’s metro and nonmetro
populations. The percent of the population with high educational attainment (B.S. or
higher) is greater in the metro areas, while the percent of the population with low
educational attainment (high school degree or lower) is greater in the nonmetro areas.

Educational Attainment in Alaska

Metro and Nonmetro Portions, 2000

Graduate/Professional Degree Metro

Nonmetro
Bachelor's Degree

Associate Degree

Some college, no degree

High school graduate

9th-12th grade, no diploma

Less than 9th grade

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000 Percent of Population Age 25+

The Economic Research Service classifies counties as low education counties if “25
percent or more residents 25-64 years old had neither a high school diploma nor GED in
2000.” In Alaska, one county is classified as a low education county (Wade Hampton
Census Area).

ERS County Typology:

Low Education Counties
“25 percent or more of
residents 25-64 years old had
neither a high school diploma
nor GED in 2000” (ERS,
USDA)

ERS Low Education

Counties
Other Counties

Source: Economic Research Service, USDA

Map prepared by RUPRI

6
Poverty

The poverty rate in Alaska in 2003 was 9.9 percent, compared to 12.5 percent for the
U.S. (Census Bureau estimates). Within Alaska, the 2003 poverty rate ranged from 6.6
percent in Denali Borough to 25.1 percent in Wade Hampton Census Area.

Percent of Population in Poverty, 2003

Less than 10%

10% to 14.9%
15% to 19.9%
20% or higher

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates
Map prepared by RUPRI

The Economic Research Service classifies counties as persistent poverty counties if they
experienced poverty rates of 20 percent or higher in each decennial census from 1970
through 2000. There are 386 persistent poverty counties in the U.S., and 4 are located in
Alaska.

ERS County Typology:

Persistent Poverty Counties
“20 percent or more of
residents were poor as
measured by each of
the last 4 censuses,
1970, 1980, 1990, and
2000” (ERS, USDA)

ERS Persistent
Poverty Counties
Other Counties

Source: Economic Research Service, USDA

Map prepared by RUPRI

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Per Capita Income
Per Capita Income in Alaska
and the U.S., 1969-2004 ($2004)
$45,000

Per capita income in U.S.

$40,000
Alaska
Alaska has exceeded $35,000
national per capita income $30,000
throughout the past several $25,000
decades, with the gap
$20,000
narrowing in more recent
$15,000
years. In 2004, per capita
$10,000
income in Alaska was
$5,000
$34,000, compared to
$-
$33,050 for the U.S.
69

71

73

75

77

79

81

83

85

87

89

91

93

95

97

99

01

03
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

20
Source: Bureau of Ecoomic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System

Nonmetro per capita Per Capita Income in Alaska Metro and Nonmetro
income in Alaska has Portions, 1969-2004 ($2004)
$50,000
lagged behind metro per Metro
$45,000
capita income over the past Nonmetro
$40,000
several decades. In 2004,
$35,000
metro per capita income in
$30,000
Alaska was $35,966,
$25,000
compared to $30,208 in $20,000
nonmetro areas. $15,000

$10,000

$5,000

$-
69

71

73

75

77

79

81

83

85

87

89

91

93

95

97

99

01

03
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

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Source: Bureau of Ecoomic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System

Per Capita Income Gap in Alaska: Nonmetro PCI as a

The per capita income gap percent of Metro PCI, 1969-2004
is measured with nonmetro 100.0%

per capita income as a

percent of metro per capita 90.0%

income. In Alaska, the gap

was at its largest in 1969 80.0%

and at its smallest in 1973.

In 2004, nonmetro per 70.0%

capita income was 84.0

percent of metro per capita 60.0%

income.
50.0%
69

71

73

75

77

79

81

83

85

87

89

91

93

95

97

99

01

03
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20

20

Source: Bureau of Ecoomic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System

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Within Alaska, 2004 per capita income ranged from $15,003 in Wade Hampton Census
Area to $43,720 in Bristol Bay Borough.

Per Capita Income, 2004

Less than $20,000

$20,000 - $29,999
$30,000 - $39,999
$40,000 or more

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional

Economic Information System
Map prepared by RUPRI

Transfer payments include retirement and disability payments, social security benefits,
public assistance, and medical benefits. In Alaska, three counties’ incomes rely
significantly on transfer payments. In these counties (all nonmetro), transfer payments
account for over 30 percent of total personal income in the county.

High Transfers Counties

Counties in which over 30% of

total personal income was
from transfer payments in
2004

High Transfers Counties

Other Counties

Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis,

Regional Economic Information System
Map prepared by RUPRI

9
Employment Structure

In 2004, government and government enterprises accounted for the largest shares of
employment in Alaska (23.6%) and the U.S. (13.9%). Retail trade was the second largest
employment sector both in Alaska (10.6%) and the U.S. (11.0%).

Employment by Industry in Alaska and the U.S., 2004

Farm
Alaska
Forestry, fishing, related activities
Mining U.S.
Utilities
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail Trade
Transportation & warehousing
Information
Finance & insurance
Real estate & rental & leasing
Professional & technical services
Management of companies & enterprises
Administrative & waste services
Educational services
Health care & social assistance
Arts, entertainment, & recreation
Accommodation & food services
Other services, except public administration
Government & government enterprises

Source: BEA, REIS 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

The ERS Economic Alaska Counties by

Typology classifies ERS Economic Typology
counties into one of five Farming
industry categories of Mining
specialization or as Manufacturing

nonspecialized. The map Government

Services
to the right shows the
Nonspecialized
classification of Alaska
counties by this typology,
illustrating the importance
of mining, government,
and manufacturing.
Source: Economic Research
Service, USDA
Map prepared by RUPRI

10
Unemployment

The unemployment rate in Alaska in 2005 was 6.8 percent, compared to 5.1 percent for
the U.S. Within Alaska, the 2005 unemployment rate ranged from 5.3 percent in Juneau
Borough to 20.8 percent in Wade Hampton Census Area.

Unemployment Rate, 2005

5% to 7.4%
7.5% to 9.9%

10% or higher
Over 20%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics,

Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Map prepared by RUPRI

The Economic Research Service classifies counties as low employment counties if “less
than 65 percent of residents 21-64 years old were employed in 2000.” In Alaska, 11
counties (all nonmetro) are classified as low employment counties.

ERS County Typology:

Low Employment Counties
“less than 65 percent of
residents 21-64 years old
were employed in 2000”
(ERS, USDA)

ERS Low Employment

Counties
Other Counties

Source: Economic Research Service, USDA

Map prepared by RUPRI

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Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is an
important component to CFED Development Report Card for the States
economic development Entrepreneurial Energy
today. Unfortunately, data
that allow us to measure
entrepreneurial activity and
trends is difficult to
ascertain, particularly at the
county level. The CFED
Development Report Card
Grade
for the States rates each A
state on its entrepreneurial B
energy, “evaluating the C
D
extent to which new firms Source: CFED
F
are generated and whether Not shown: Alaska (C) and Hawaii (D) Map prepared by RUPRI
they are contributing to
employment growth.” While this is a state-level ranking, it provides useful insight as to
how a state is performing. Alaska’s ranking is “C”.

As mentioned, county level indicators of entrepreneurship are difficult to ascertain, but a

good indicator is the proportion of workers that are self employed. The map below
shows self employed workers as a percent of nonfarm private employment in the county.

Entrepreneurship in Alaska:
Self Employed as a Percent of
Nonfarm Private Employment, 2003

Less than 10%

10% to 19.9%

20% to 29.9%

30% or more

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Nonemployer

Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis,
Regional Economic Information System
Map Prepared by RUPRI

12
Nonmetro Recreation Counties

The Economic Research Service’s classification of nonmetro recreation counties captures

the recreational opportunities and development in many rural parts of the nation. The
classification is based on a number of factors, including employment and income derived
from recreation-related activities, seasonal housing units within the county, and receipts
from hotels and motels. Nationally, 334 counties are classified as nonmetro recreation
counties, and eleven are located in Alaska.

ERS County Typology:

Nonmetro Recreation Counties

Recreation Counties
Other Counties

Source: Economic Research Service, USDA

Map prepared by RUPRI

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Data Sources and References

Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Information System

http://www.bea.gov/bea/regional/reis/

Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/lau/home.htm

CFED Development Report Card for the States

http://drc.cfed.org/

Economic Research Service, USDA, 2004 County Typology

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Briefing/Rurality/Typology/

Office of Management and Budget, Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their
Uses
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy05/b05-02.html

U.S. Census Bureau

Census 2000
http://www.census.gov/main/www/cen2000.html

Population Estimates
http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.php

Metropolitan and Micropolitan Area Classifications

http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html

Nonemployer Statistics
http://www.census.gov/epcd/nonemployer/

Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/saipe/saipe.html

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For Comments and Questions on this Report:

Kathleen K. Miller
RUPRI Program Director
(573) 882-5098
[email protected]

Contact RUPRI

Rural Policy Research Institute

Truman School of Public Affairs
University of Missouri-Columbia
214 Middlebush Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
(573) 882-0316 Voice
[573] 884=5310 FAX

http://www.rupri.org

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