Alaska: Complete Guide to the State, Cities, Boroughs, Attractions & More

Alaska, nicknamed “The Last Frontier,” is the largest U.S. state by area and sits in the far northwest corner of North America, separated from the contiguous United States by Canada. It became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Juneau is the state capital, while Anchorage is the largest city and economic hub. Alaska is known for its towering mountains, vast wilderness, glaciers, wildlife, Northern Lights, and oil and fishing industries. It offers a unique mix of adventure, high wages, and a lifestyle unlike anywhere else in the country.

Boroughs and Census Areas (Counties)

Alaska is the only state, along with Louisiana (which uses parishes), that has no counties. Instead, Alaska is divided into boroughs.

• 19 organized boroughs have their own local governments.
• The Unorganized Borough covers roughly half of the state’s land area and has no borough government. For statistical purposes, the U.S. Census Bureau splits it into 11 census areas.

Notable boroughs and census areas include:

• Anchorage (Municipality of Anchorage) – The state’s most populous municipality.
• Matanuska-Susitna Borough – One of the fastest-growing areas, home to Wasilla and Palmer.
• Fairbanks North Star Borough – Interior Alaska’s population center.
• Kenai Peninsula Borough – Known for fishing, Seward, Homer, and Kenai Fjords.
• City and Borough of Juneau – The state capital.
• Ketchikan Gateway Borough – A gateway to the Inside Passage.
• North Slope Borough – One of the largest boroughs in the U.S., home to the Prudhoe Bay oil fields.
• Kodiak Island Borough – Famous for fishing and the Kodiak brown bear.

Major Cities

Juneau is unusual because no road connects it to the rest of Alaska or to the Lower 48. Population figures are approximate and change yearly, so check the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates before publishing.

Population

Alaska has roughly 730,000 to 740,000 residents, making it one of the least populous U.S. states (around 48th).

Key population trends:

• Alaska has the lowest population density in the country, at about 1.3 people per square mile.
• Around 40% of residents live in the Anchorage area, and most people live in the Southcentral region.
• Growth has been slow, and the state sometimes sees more people moving out than in.
• Alaska Natives, including Iñupiat, Yup’ik, Aleut, Athabascan, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian peoples, make up about 15% of the population, one of the highest shares in the country.
• Many rural communities are off the road system and reachable only by plane, boat, or snowmachine.

Geography and Climate

Alaska covers about 665,000 square miles, more than twice the size of Texas. Its landscape is enormously varied.

• Denali (20,310 feet): The highest peak in North America.
• Alaska Range and Brooks Range: Major mountain ranges that shape the interior and the Arctic.
• Inside Passage (Southeast): A maze of islands, fjords, and temperate rainforest, including the Tongass National Forest.
• Aleutian Islands: A long volcanic island chain stretching toward Asia.
• Arctic North Slope: Treeless tundra along the Arctic Ocean.
• Glaciers: Alaska holds thousands of glaciers, and many are visible from the road or by boat.

The state also has more coastline than all other U.S. states combined and millions of lakes and rivers, including the mighty Yukon River.

Climate: Alaska has several climate zones.

• Southeast: Mild, wet, maritime climate.
• Southcentral (Anchorage): Cool summers and cold winters with moderate snowfall.
• Interior (Fairbanks): Extreme temperature swings, from warm summers to winter lows of -40°F or colder.
• Arctic: Long, harsh winters.

Summer brings the midnight sun, with nearly 24 hours of daylight in the far north, while winter brings very short days. Alaska also has frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes.

Economy

Alaska’s economy is dominated by natural resources, government, and tourism.

Top industries:

• Oil and Gas – Prudhoe Bay and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline are central to the state’s revenue.
• Seafood and Fishing – Alaska produces a major share of U.S. seafood, including salmon, pollock, halibut, and crab.
• Tourism – Cruise ships, national parks, and adventure travel bring millions of visitors each summer.
• Federal Government and Military – Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (Anchorage), Fort Wainwright (Fairbanks), and Eielson Air Force Base are major employers.
• Mining – Zinc, gold, and other minerals, including the Red Dog Mine, one of the world’s largest zinc mines.
• Transportation and Logistics – Anchorage’s airport is one of the busiest cargo hubs in the world.

Unique features:

• Alaska has no state income tax and no statewide sales tax, though many cities and boroughs charge local sales taxes.
• The Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) pays eligible residents an annual payment funded by oil revenue investments. The amount varies from year to year.

Cost of Living

Alaska is generally more expensive than the national average, mostly because of shipping and heating costs.

Rural villages can be dramatically more expensive because goods must be flown or barged in. Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley tend to be the most affordable places to live within the state.

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Things to Do

• Denali National Park and Preserve – Wildlife viewing, hiking, and views of Denali on a clear day.
• Glacier and Fjord Cruises – Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park are top choices.
• Northern Lights Viewing – Best around Fairbanks from late August through April.
• Wildlife Watching – Bears, moose, whales, bald eagles, and puffins.
• Fishing – World-famous salmon and halibut fishing.
• Dog Sledding and the Iditarod – Alaska’s iconic sled dog culture, with the Iditarod race starting each March.
• Alaska Railroad – Scenic rides from Anchorage to Seward, Denali, and Fairbanks.
• Flightseeing – Small-plane tours over glaciers and mountains.
• Alaska Native Culture – Museums, cultural centers, and totem poles, especially in Southeast Alaska.

Best Places to Visit

• Anchorage – Museums, Chugach State Park, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail.
• Denali National Park – The heart of Alaska’s wilderness.
• Seward and Kenai Fjords – Glaciers, marine wildlife, and boat tours.
• Juneau – Mendenhall Glacier and whale watching.
• Ketchikan – Totem poles and Misty Fjords National Monument.
• Sitka – Blend of Russian and Tlingit history.
• Fairbanks – Northern Lights, hot springs, and the midnight sun.
• Homer – Coastal arts town and gateway to bear viewing at Katmai.
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park – The largest national park in the U.S.
• Talkeetna – A charming base for Denali climbers and flightseeing.

Schools

K-12 Education:

• Alaska has more than 50 school districts, including the large Anchorage School District.
• Many rural schools are small and serve remote communities, and some teach in Alaska Native languages alongside English.
• Recruiting and retaining teachers in remote areas is a persistent challenge.

Higher Education:

• University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) – Known for Arctic research, geophysics, and engineering.
• University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) – The state’s largest university.
• University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) – Based in Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan.
• Alaska Pacific University – A private university in Anchorage.

Jobs

High-demand sectors:

• Oil, gas, and energy
• Healthcare and nursing
• Commercial fishing and seafood processing
• Tourism, hospitality, and seasonal work
• Construction and skilled trades
• Government, military, and education
• Aviation and logistics (pilots and mechanics are always in demand)

Alaska wages are often higher than the national average in fields like oil, healthcare, and trades, which helps offset the higher cost of living. Seasonal jobs surge in summer in fishing and tourism.

Local Government

Alaska’s state constitution was adopted in 1956, ahead of statehood.

Structure:

• Executive Branch: A governor and lieutenant governor, elected on a joint ticket to four-year terms, with a limit of two consecutive terms.
• Legislative Branch: A bicameral Legislature with a Senate (20 members) and House of Representatives (40 members).
• Judicial Branch: Alaska Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Superior Courts, and District Courts.

Local government:

• Boroughs are the regional level of government, similar to counties elsewhere.
• Cities operate within or outside boroughs, and much of the Unorganized Borough is served directly by the state.
• Alaska Native tribal governments and regional and village corporations play a significant role in land ownership and services.

Frequently Asked Questions