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State of Alaska

Alaska - Statewide

♦	The estimated population for 2008 was 679,720, a gain of about 52,789 since the 2000 Census.
♦	About 62 percent of the resident population 16+ years old worked in 2008.
♦	Trade, Transportation and Utilities was the main industry in 2008, employing 22 percent of the area's workers.
♦	More workers were employed as Retail Salespersons than any other occupation.

Please note: There is an important distinction between the local/regional employment data and our “standard” employment series. Most of these data reflect totals for area residents only. Total worker counts may be lower than expected in areas with a large number of nonresident workers. The Alaska Permanent Fund dividend file is used to determine the worker’s geographic residence. Only Alaska residents (as defined by PFD application) are included in these totals. Also note that federal employees, the military, and the self-employed are not included in these data. For more information, click here.

State of Alaska Resident Snapshot (2008)
Working Age Residents		Wages
Residents age 16+	488,269	Total wages	$10,903,505,510
Resident Worker Characteristics		Resident Workers by Sector
Total	302,578	Private	233,409
Male	153,639	State government	25,002
Female	148,658	Local government	44,187
Age 45+	118,103	Quarterly Number of Resident Workers
Age 50+	81,668	Peak (3rd) quarter workers	267,952
		Percent working all 4 quarters	68.5%
Unemployment		Construction/AGIA Occupation Experience (2004-2008)
UI Claimants	41,134	Some construction	54,085
		At least 1 year construction	31,090
New Hires		At least 2 years construction	19,662
New hires	110,208	Worked in an AGIA occupation	211,395

An asterisk (*) means data are suppressed. Numbers may not sum due to rounding. AGIA (Alaska Gasline Inducement Act) means the occupation has been identified as a core occupation involved in the gasline project. For explanations of these terms and data, click here.

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2008 Residents

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Top Occupations (comprehensive list)

	Number employed	Percent female	Age 45+	Age 50+
Retail Salespersons	11,355	59.6%	3,071	2,265
Cashiers	7,805	68.9%	1,852	1,216
Office Clerks, General AGIA	7,077	80.3%	2,656	1,871
Construction Laborers AGIA HOT JOB	6,075	10.8%	1,649	1,028
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other AGIA	5,637	76.4%	1,915	1,314
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food	5,559	56.0%	507	319
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners AGIA	5,050	37.6%	2,450	1,740
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand AGIA	4,688	12.9%	1,232	778
Teacher Assistants	4,597	84.8%	2,217	1,522
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks AGIA HOT JOB	4,414	87.9%	2,005	1,342
Registered Nurses HOT JOB	3,989	91.0%	2,315	1,699
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants AGIA HOT JOB	3,918	89.7%	1,744	1,208
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	3,640	72.6%	1,994	1,516
Waiters and Waitresses	3,542	76.6%	671	393
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	3,542	35.6%	1,516	1,081
General and Operations Managers	3,437	36.9%	1,947	1,370
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators AGIA HOT JOB	3,377	5.3%	1,753	1,158
Carpenters AGIA HOT JOB	3,371	2.2%	1,267	829
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General AGIA	3,299	7.5%	1,782	1,244
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners AGIA	3,264	79.2%	1,260	839

An asterisk (*) means data are suppressed. AGIA (Alaska Gasline Inducement Act) means the occupation has been identified as a core occupation involved in the gasline project. HOT JOB means the occupation is projected to have a high growth rate and numerous openings, and has an above average wage. For explanations of these terms and data click here.

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Resident Workers by Industry

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Workers by Industry

	Number employed	Percent female	Age 45+	Age 50+
Natural Resources and Mining	14,128	14.7%	5,926	3,924
Construction	20,727	13.4%	7,275	4,710
Manufacturing	8,822	30.8%	3,549	2,421
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	65,347	42.0%	22,609	15,350
Information	6,993	44.2%	2,795	1,832
Financial Activities	14,385	61.7%	4,969	3,363
Professional and Business Services	25,374	45.0%	9,737	6,705
Educational and Health Services	37,660	77.4%	15,626	11,073
Leisure and Hospitality	29,725	55.4%	6,841	4,632
State Government	25,001	52.1%	13,431	9,682
Local Government	44,186	58.7%	21,721	15,389
Other	9,848	57.7%	3,541	2,531
Unknown	382	47.8%	83	56

An asterisk (*) means data are suppressed. For explanations of these terms and data click here.

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Recent Unemployment Statistics
	09/2009	10/2009	11/2009	12/2009
UI Claimants**	18,395	21,590	24,384	27,088
Unemployment Rate (Not seasonally adjusted)	7.6%	8.1%	8.2%	9.0%

**UI claimants are individuals in this area who had an active claim at any time during the month.

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Top Employers (ranked by number of workers)

State of AK (excludes U of A)
Anch School District 9011
University of AK
Providence Hospital Payroll
Safeway Inc
Municipality of Anch Payroll
Wal-Mart Associates Inc
Fred Meyer Stores Inc
Fairbanks North Star School District
Mat Su Borough Schools

2000 Census
Median Age	32.4
Average Family Size	3.3
Average Household Size	2.7

Per Capita Income	$22,660
Median Family Income	$59,036
Median Household Income	$51,571

(Note: Racial classification is based on self identification. The “Multi” category consists of those who claim to be members of more than one race. The “Native” category includes Alaska Natives and American Indians.)

To view the 2000 census profiles of selected characteristics, click here.