Which counties in Alaska are losing population?

20 of the 28 ranked counties in Alaska had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Skagway Municipality lost the largest share, down 10.8% (−133 people). Anchorage Municipality lost the most residents (−3,722).

Of the 20 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in all 20 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated November 5, 2026

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All 20 Alaska counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in Alaska
Rank	County	Change 2020–25	Residents lost 2020–25	Residents 2025	Largest factor 2020–25
1	Skagway Municipality	−10.8%	−133	1,104	Domestic migration (−143)
2	Northwest Arctic Borough	−9.0%	−702	7,095	Domestic migration (−1,034)
3	Chugach Census Area	−7.5%	−529	6,553	Domestic migration (−650)
4	Dillingham Census Area	−7.4%	−356	4,483	Domestic migration (−512)
5	Lake and Peninsula Borough	−6.2%	−90	1,357	Domestic migration (−150)
6	Wrangell City and Borough	−5.6%	−119	2,007	Domestic migration (−82)
7	Kusilvak Census Area	−5.2%	−435	7,932	Domestic migration (−1,191)
8	Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area	−5.1%	−273	5,028	Domestic migration (−275)
9	Kodiak Island Borough	−5.1%	−659	12,387	Domestic migration (−1,371)
10	Hoonah-Angoon Census Area	−3.9%	−91	2,271	Domestic migration (−81)
11	North Slope Borough	−3.8%	−418	10,582	Domestic migration (−836)
12	Ketchikan Gateway Borough	−2.6%	−364	13,549	Domestic migration (−593)
13	Nome Census Area	−1.9%	−195	9,830	Domestic migration (−681)
14	Juneau City and Borough	−1.8%	−595	31,609	Domestic migration (−1,280)
15	Bethel Census Area	−1.5%	−281	18,391	Domestic migration (−1,683)
16	Fairbanks North Star Borough	−1.4%	−1,361	93,972	Domestic migration (−5,799)
17	Sitka City and Borough	−1.3%	−111	8,319	Domestic migration (−289)
18	Anchorage Municipality	−1.3%	−3,722	287,155	Domestic migration (−15,941)
19	Haines Borough	−1.0%	−21	2,068	Domestic migration (−37)
20	Petersburg Borough	−0.1%	−3	3,394	Domestic migration (−77)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Alaska is losing population fastest?

Skagway Municipality: down 10.8% between 2020 and 2025, to 1,104 residents (−133 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Northwest Arctic Borough (−9.0%) and Chugach Census Area (−7.5%).

How many counties in Alaska are losing population?

20 of the 28 ranked counties in Alaska had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 8 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in Alaska losing population?

More county rankings for Alaska

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.