Survey Documentation
- 03/2011–New ACS Data and the Census
- 11/2008–Census 2010
- 06/2008–Local Employment Dynamics
- 03/2007–2005 American Community Survey
- 02/2006–The American Community Survey
- 12/2002–Census Issues Socio-Economic Data
- 11/2002–Another Batch of Census Data
- 04/2002–Census Goes Internet
- 10/2001–Race and Ethnicity
- 07/2001–Census Data is Here
- 03/2000–U.S. Census 2000
Subscribe to receive e-mail updates from R&A Urban and Rural – Classification for Alaska
New urban and rural population data and areas have been prepared for Alaska based on the 2000 Census. The data were created by the US Census Bureau solely for the presentation and comparison of census statistical data. At its simplest definition, an urbanized area (UA) consists of densely settled territory that contains 50,000 or more people. And an urban cluster (UC) consists of densely settled territory that contains at least 2,500, but fewer than 50,000 people. To view the Census Bureau’s policy with respect to using the data for a nonstatistical program or purpose, click here.
The data and areas are presented as new, since they are now based on different criteria than in years past. Prior to the 2000 Census, the Bureau defined urban as all the population and territory within urbanized areas (densely settled areas containing at least 50,000 people) and within other places which had a population of 2,500 or more. After a rigorous review and in preparation for the new delineations, the Bureau decided to establish a geographic entity that better supplemented the urbanized areas. For Census 2000, it established urban clusters, which are densely settled areas with a population of 2,500 to 49,999. To view the criteria used to determine the new urban areas and urban clusters, click here.
In addition to establishing the new entity, urban cluster, the basis for delineating UAs and UCs has also changed. Instead of using boundaries of legal entities, the Census Bureau is now using aggregations of block groups and census blocks as the starting point. This resulted from a desire on the bureau’s part to define a continuum of urban territory created objectively and equitably for the entire Nation. To apply these criteria consistently, the use of governmental unit boundaries and criteria designed to include whole functioning governments had to be eliminated. The Census Bureau evaluated the geographic characteristics of municipal corporations and found widespread variation due to each state's unique set of annexation and incorporation laws. The lack of consistency among state laws for establishing governmental boundaries increased the likelihood that inconsistency would mar the resulting urban area definitions.
The term “extended city” has also been replaced by “extended place” because a census designated place (CDP) can now be partly urban and rural, the same as an incorporated place (city).
The new criteria significantly changed the universe of Census 2000 UAs due to the creation of new areas, areas formed by splits or mergers, name changes, and changed areas due to significant boundary changes. As a result there are now 453 UAs in the United States, compared to 396 in 1990.
How Criteria Affected Alaska
Only one newly qualified urban area emerged in Alaska (that had not been part of a 1990 Census UA) and that was within the Fairbanks North Star Borough. To view a map of the new area, click here.
The Anchorage Municipality which contained the only UA in 1990, experienced what the Census Bureau refers to as other significant change (unrelated to splits and mergers) to this boundary which resulted in a smaller overall UA for 2000 plus a new UC. Both were defined from part of the 1990 Census UA. To view a map of the new area, click here.
The following is the new list of Alaska’s urbanized areas and urban clusters based on the 2000 Census. It also shows the population, square meters and population density. The naming convention is somewhat different from 1990 in that the name represents the general area of the UA or UC, and not that the whole place is urban or rural.
Alaska Urbanized Areas and Urban Clusters for 2000 (Corrected)*
| UA/UC Code | UA/UC Name | Total Population | SQ Meters | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02305 | Anchorage UA | 225,744 | 204,214,975 | 2,863.0 |
| 28549 | Fairbanks UA | 51,926 | 111,656,982 | 1,204.5 |
| 02332 | Anchorage Northeast UC (Eagle River) | 24,276 | 39,107,444 | 1,607.7 |
| 05275 | Barrow UC | 4,322 | 27,133,802 | 412.5 |
| 07381 | Bethel UC | 4,436 | 5,428,915 | 2,116.3 |
| 43561 | Juneau UC (Mendenhall Valley) | 17,311 | 31,125,482 | 1,440.5 |
| 43588 | Juneau South UC (Downtown Juneau-Douglas) | 7,909 | 15,267,129 | 1,341.7 |
| 44344 | Kenai UC | 4,248 | 10,110,522 | 1,088.2 |
| 44668 | Ketchikan UC (N to S Tongass Hwy & City) | 10,673 | 14,915,022 | 1853 |
| 45667 | Kodiak UC | 10,768 | 14,028,950 | 1,988.0 |
| 05748 | Kotzebue UC | 3,072 | 5,283,666 | 1,505.9 |
| 59086 | Moose Creek UC | 5,709 | 101,967,288 | 145.0 |
| 63379 | Nome UC | 2,956 | 1,471,919 | 5,201.4 |
| 67159 | Palmer UC | 4,506 | 6,851,317 | 1,703.4 |
| 68914 | Petersburg UC | 2,817 | 6,504,631 | 1,121.7 |
| 82306 | Sitka UC | 7,322 | 15,411,024 | 1,230.5 |
| 82819 | Soldotna UC | 3,626 | 4,996,953 | 1,879.4 |
| 89434 | Unalaska UC | 3,101 | 2,912,520 | 2,757.6 |
| 92458 | Wasilla UC | 16,535 | 56,296,796 | 760.7 |
* The correction (clerical) refers to a reference printed in the August 23, 2002 federal register (Vol. 67, No. 164) which made corrections to a list of UAs and UCs previously released in a May 1, 2002 Federal Register (67 FR 21962). It said: The text for the Anchorage, AK, notes incorrectly referenced the “Northwest Anchorage, AK urban cluster (UC).” The urban cluster name is Anchorage Northeast.
For a table which lists the urban/rural distribution for every place in Alaska, click here. Two additional tables available are:
