By Scott Goldsmith
The 2015 Alaska population was virtually unchanged from a year earlier at 737.6 thousand according to the Alaska Department of Labor. Natural increase (births minus deaths) was almost entirely offset by net out-migration of 6.8 thousand. This was the third year in a row that the number of out-migrants exceeded in migrants.
For the second year in a row Anchorage lost population (1.5 thousand) and has dipped back below 300 thousand. On the other hand, the Mat-Su Borough added 1.8 thousand and now has a population of 100 thousand. Population across the rest of the state was unchanged.
The senior population continues to grow and now stands at 10 percent. This growth is driven largely by the aging of the baby boomer generation. In fact, seniors account for nearly ¾ of the population growth since 2010.
Comments