Alaska’s population ages 65 and older increased by 3,388 between July 2013 and July 2014 and reached 71,080 people, according to estimates released by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Since 2010, the proportion of the state’s population ages 65 and older increased from 8 percent to 10 percent.
Among the state’s six economic regions, Gulf Coast had the highest share of seniors at 13 percent, followed by Southeast at 12 percent. Northern Region had the smallest share at 6 percent, followed by Southwest at 7 percent.
Though births and migration keep Alaska’s population relatively young, the aging of the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) has contributed to a steady rise in median age. In 2014 it reached 34.4, up from 33.8 in 2010 and 32.4 in 2000.
The population ages 20 to 64 totaled 457,839 in 2014, up 10,386 from 2010. The under 20 population was 206,682, little-changed from 207,840 in 2010.
Complete estimates by age and sex for the state, boroughs, census areas and cities are available at Labor.Alaska.Gov/Research/Pop/Popest.htm.
