The Ten Most Populous Municipalities in Alaska

In terms of land area, Alaska is the largest U.S. S Larger than the states of Montana, California, and Texas put together Although it ranks high in area, at number 48 in population, it is one of the least populated states in the union. Only Vermont and Wyoming have fewer people. The low population density of Alaska (1 person per square mile) is understandable given the size of the state. The population density is 2 people per square mile.

It is often underestimated how isolated some parts of the state can be. While I've primarily visited Alaska's more populous regions, the state does feature vast expanses where you won't encounter another soul for miles. If you prefer to stay in more urban areas during your time in Alaska, consider visiting one of the following locations.

Population Size of Alaska's 10 Largest Cities

Rank City The 2022 World Population The 2020 World Population In 2010, there were... many people. 1 Anchorage 291,131 291,247 291,826 2 Fairbanks 32,711 32,515 31,535 3 Juneau 32,451 32,255 31,275 4 Knik-Fairview 20,174 19,297 14,912 5 Badger 18,941 19,031 19,482 6 College 11,006 11,332 12,964 7 Area of North Lakes 9,821 9,450 7,595 8 Plains of Water 9,522 9,197 7,570 9 Wasilla 9,299 9,054 7,831 10 Tanaina 9,049 8,817 7,655 The Ten Most Populous Alaskan Cities
Source: U S Population projections for 2022 according to the Census Bureau.

Anchorage, No. 1

Total Population: 291,131

With 2,91,133 people, Anchorage easily wins the title of Alaska's most populous city.

Anchorage is a sizable city that offers its residents and visitors a wide variety of outdoor activities. Approximately 40% of Alaskans live in Anchorage.

The weather in Anchorage typically stays in the 60s during the three to four months of summer when the sun rarely sets. We spend a lot of time outside: picnicking, camping, biking, and hiking, as well as eating, drinking, and socializing al fresco Residents have a lot of fun on skis, ice rinks, and snowmobiles from November through March.

Compared to the lower 48 states, living in Anchorage is more expensive. This is due to the fact that groceries from Canada must be transported to the United States via airplane, barge, or truck, all of which add significant fuel costs to the final price tag.

For the same reason, eating out is also more expensive than in other states. It's strange that gas prices are higher in Anchorage when oil is produced there. Salary increases and the lack of a local sales tax are both advantages.

Second, Fairbanks

32.711 People Call This Place Home

Fairbanks, nicknamed "Golden Heart City" after its central role in the 20th-century gold rush, is the second largest city in Alaska and a major economic and medical hub for the state's interior and northern regions.

Everything you could want in a small town is available in Fairbanks, from a wide variety of restaurants to easy access by air, rail, and road to a wide selection of both locally owned and national chains to high-speed wireless Internet and fiber-optic connections. Because of the presence of the University of Alaska, this city has a slightly younger than average population.

Fairbanks' "top of the world" location means that its winters are significantly longer, darker, and colder than those in other parts of the United States. S cities Fairbanks, Alaska sees average January lows of about -16 degrees Fahrenheit. There are only about 3 hours and 45 minutes of daylight on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.

3. Juneau

Total number of inhabitants: 32,451

Juneau, Alaska's capital and third most populous city, is a great place to call home. It's like being in a small town, where everyone knows each other.

Similar to Anchorage, it is a paradise for nature lovers thanks to its abundance of mountains, trails, islands, oceans, and incredible wildlife. You'll have plenty of opportunities to go fishing, biking, and hiking. Juneau's tram system is great for getting a bird's-eye view of the city. You can also choose to do something indoors, like visiting a pub or a movie theater.

Many people in Juneau only stay for the summer, when the cruise ship industry is booming. However, the government is the largest employer in the country. When it comes to priority, tourism is merely secondary.

There are fewer people around in the winter, both tourists and residents. Skiing, sledding, and even dog sledding are just some of the winter sports that locals enjoy during this time.

Rainfall occurs on average of 220 days per year in the city because of its proximity to a rainforest, making it perpetually cloudy and damp. Between October and April, locals often see snowfall totals of up to 100 inches.

Knik-Fairview Place, Number Four

Total number of inhabitants: 20,174

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is where you'll find Knik-Fairview; it's northeast of Anchorage. Overall, it's more expensive than the rest of the country, but on par with other Alaskan metropolises.

Most people here, as in other Alaskan cities, own rather than rent, and home prices are higher than the national average. The majority of Knik-Fairview's population, over 75%, commutes to work via automobile. An earlier section mentioned that gas is quite costly in Alaska. Because of this, transportation costs are higher than in other parts of the country.

Knik-Fairview, Alaska, has healthcare costs that are significantly higher than the national average and even higher than the rest of the state.

5. Badger

One Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Forty-One

Badger, located in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, is the state's fifth-largest city. Fort Wainright, a major Army and National Guard base, is located there.

Badger is home to many professionals and families, and has a larger share of children under the age of five than the national average. The vast majority of city dwellers own their homes rather than renting. Badger has more expensive rents than the rest of Alaska's major cities.

Traveling by foot or public transportation is unusual. The majority of commuters and city dwellers prefer to travel by car.

A sizable number of Badger residents are employed in the building trades, government offices, schools, hospitals, and retail. Employees in Badger, Alaska, make, on average, a smidgen more than their counterparts in other Alaskan cities.

6. College

Population: 11,006

Fairbanks North Star Borough's Route 3 is where you'll find the college. College has a lot of parks, but fewer outdoor activities than the cities we've already covered. Also, there aren't a ton of things to do or see at night.

College has a lower unemployment rate than the country as a whole, but the job market has been shrinking in recent years. Salary levels are higher than the national average, which is a positive indicator. S average Most of the locals commute to Fairbanks for work. The mining, quarrying, and oil extraction industries employ a disproportionately large number of people in this region compared to the rest of the United States.

Most people in the area own their homes rather than renting. Here, both home prices and rents are above the national average. There are a lot of families and young professionals in the city.

Northern Lakes 7

9,821 people call this place home.

The community of North Lakes can be found in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, north of Anchorage, not far from Palmer and Wasilla. After the 2020 split of the prior CDP of Lakes, North Lakes was officially recognized as a CDP for the first time. The town got its moniker from the string of lakes that run through it.

North Lakes is one of Alaska's fastest-growing cities, and it now ranks as the state's seventh-most populous.

Eighth, Meadow Lakes

Total Population: 9,522

The population of Lakes, Alaska, the state's eighth-largest city, has grown over the past year. Almost everyone who lives here has kids.

The retail sector and the building trades employ the majority of the locals. Numerous people are employed in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries. Yet, the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, and the job market is worse than it was a year ago. S

Costs associated with medical care in Lakes are higher than in other parts of the country because of a relative lack of medical professionals.

9. Wasilla

Population: 9,299

Found in the Matanuska Susitna Borough, Wasilla ranks as Alaska's ninth-largest city. There are many families there with young children.

Wasilla rarely experiences temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and rarely exceeds 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. However, most summer days in Wasilla are cloudy and overcast due to the city's high rainfall totals.

Wasilla does not host any significant multinational corporations. Building, small shops, and local franchises make up the bulk of the city's commercial sector. There is a thriving job market in the area, and residents can find work, but most choose to commute an hour and a half to Anchorage, where the pay is significantly higher.

In 2019, the average home price in Wasilla was $280,000, but prices dropped significantly when moving west toward Willow, Big Lake, and Meadow Lakes.

In comparison to Anchorage, the nightlife in Wasilla is much more relaxed, and the city is home to many national chain restaurants as well as independently owned establishments. Summers are spent on the water by the locals with common pursuits including boating, camping, and fishing.

You can go fishing for salmon, trout, and other fish in the city's many large and small lakes and rivers, or go hiking and riding snowmobiles in Hikers Pass. tenting at either the Finger Lake State Recreation Site or Lucille Lake If you just want to relax, you can take in the stunning scenery of the Chugach Mountains, Talkeetna, and the Alaska Range.

Tanaina, Number 10

Humans Counted: 9,049

Tanaina, Alaska, the tenth most populous city in Alaska, is located in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Rents in this city are typically higher than in the rest of the United States, as is the case in most Alaskan cities. S The majority of the population is comprised of home-owning citizens. This is because the cost of housing in Tanaina is relatively low.

Most people in Anchorage, Alaska, drive their cars rather than walk or take the bus. Most families have three vehicles.

The majority of Tanaina's workforce is involved in manufacturing, wholesale, and healthcare and social assistance. People living in this area enjoy higher average incomes than those in most of the rest of the country.

Infrequently Answered Questions

Experiencing life in the Last Frontier

The weather and the high cost of living, especially for utilities, are two of the biggest obstacles people face in Alaska. Employment is abundant, and the average wage is above the national average. Industries such as mining, oil extraction, transportation, security, and healthcare typically offer suitable employment opportunities.

Alaska residents are exempt from federal, state, and local income taxes. Dividends from Alaska's oil fund are used to compensate residents for making the state their home. There is no sales tax in many of the boroughs.

Alaska's inhabitants take pleasure in the state's stunning natural scenery, abundant wildlife, vast wilderness, lofty mountains, and wide-open spaces. The expansive coastline of Alaska also features numerous prime fishing locations. In addition, there is a wide variety of winter sports to choose from.

Alaska is the place to go if you want to slow down and enjoy life surrounded by the natural beauty of the wilderness and quaint small towns. Anchorage has all the natural beauty that Alaska is famous for, as well as all the conveniences of a modern city, and I really enjoyed my time there.