Small Town News

The Alaska's Population Projected To Grow 28% By 2035

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The population in Alaska is projected to increase by 28% or more than 200,000 people between 2010 and 2035, according to new population projections released by the AK Department of Labor & Workforce Development.

State of Alaska

The statewide population is projected to grow overall, but its annual growth will slow as the population ages.

While the most likely projection is approximately 915,000 Alaska residents by 2035, the total population could be as high as 1,140,000 or as low as 760,000 based on alternate migration scenarios. The projections are based on the current population and historical birth, death and migration trends rather than economic conditions.

The highest rate of growth will likely be among those 65 and above. This group is projected to increase from 55,237 in 2010 to 155,382 in 2035. Alaska's school-age population ages 5 to 17 is projected to increase from 134,117 to 170,287, & the working-age population ages 18 to 64 is projected to grow from 470,495 to 523,319.

Alaska Natives

The Alaska Native population is projected to increase from 122,480 in 2010to 159,633 in 2035. The projected growth is largely due to high birth rates, but aging & increases in Native life expectancy are expected to play a role.

Similar to the statewide population, the native population aged 65 or more is expected to increase strongly, from 8,003 in 2010 to 19,540 in 2035. With high birth rates, the population of Alaska Natives who are under 18 is expected to increase steadily over the proj ection period.

Regions, Boroughs & Census Areas

Rates of growth are projected to vary across the state's economic regions, ranging from strong growth in the Anchorage/Mat-Su Region to modest population loss in Southeast, the only region that isn't expected to grow.

Population projections for the boroughs & census areas within the regions vary further, with several areas projected to lose population. While aging plays an important role at the regional and borough levels, much of the projected population change for each area is based on rates of mig-rationoverthepastlOyears.



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