Population at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
- How are Alaska population estimates made?
- What geography changes have occurred since the 2000 census?
- How are migration data produced from the PFD applicant file?
How are Alaska population estimates made?
The primary data sources used to calculate population estimates are Census Bureau decennial census counts and annual estimates, the PFD applicant file, our annual group quarters survey. Counts from the 2000 and 2010 decennial censuses serve as benchmarks for population estimates.
For more details, read about our methods.
What changes in geography have occurred since the 2000 census?
Skagway Municipality and Hoonah-Angoon Census Area: The Municipality of Skagway incorporated as a First Class Borough on June 20, 2007. The city of Skagway dissolved and the borough boundaries are the former city boundaries. The remainder of the Skagway-Hoonah-Angoon Census Area was named Hoonah-Angoon Census Area.
City and Borough of Wrangell and Petersburg Census Area: The City and Borough of Wrangell incorporated as a Unified Home Rule Borough on May 30, 2008. The City of Wrangell dissolved. The boundaries for the borough extend beyond the former City of Wrangell boundaries and include a portion of the former Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area. The remainder of the Wrangell-Petersburg Census Area was named Petersburg Census Area.
Ketchikan Gateway Borough and Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area: The Ketchikan Gateway Borough annexed 4,510 sq acres from the former Prince of Wales-Outer Ketchikan Census Area on May 31, 2008. The boundaries of the Census Area were redrawn and the area was named the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area.
How are migration data produced from the PFD applicants file?
To tabulate migration by borough and census area based on the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), PFD applicants for sequential years are compared. Migrants from a borough/census area are applicants that reported residence within that borough/census area in the first year and reported residence elsewhere in the second year. Migrants to a borough/census area are applicants that reported residence in that borough/census area in the second year and reported residence elsewhere in the first year.
Births and deaths also affect change in the number of PFD applications by year, so data from the Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics are used to make adjustments. Births in the period are subtracted from migrants to a given borough/census area and deaths are subtracted from migrants from a given borough/census area.
Due to changes in borough and census area boundaries, Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Petersburg Census Area, and Wrangell City and Borough are combined in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 data. Skagway Municipality and Hoonah-Angoon Census Area made up a single census area until 2008, so they are also combined in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008.
Source: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section
Last updated: 16-May-12