Petersburg and the Southeast region both lost population last year, according to the latest estimates from the Alaska Department of Labor.
The state’s estimate for Petersburg in 2017 is 3,147, down 30 people or nearly one percent from the year before. It’s estimated the net migration, the number of people leaving town subtracting the number of people moving into town, was 47 last year.
The region as a whole lost 912 people, or a 1.25 percent loss.
Wrangell dropped 69 people last year, or a population loss of more than 2.8 percent.
Yakutat saw the biggest decline in region though, down 42 people, or more than a 7 percent loss.
Skagway and Ketchikan were the only places in Southeast showing small increases.
Overall 20 of 29 boroughs or census areas in the state lost population. Statewide the decrease was over 2,600 people. The department produces an annual estimate using census data and Permanent Fund dividend applications.
— Joe Viechnicki, KFSK
Alaska’s population declines for first time in 29 years
JUNEAU — Alaska’s population has fallen for the first time in 29 years as the state’s oil-driven recession continues.
The Juneau Empire reports that state figures released on Wednesday show the state’s population is 737,080. That’s down 2,629 from 2016 and is the first decrease since 1988.
The number of people moving out was only partially balanced by the number of new births.
Preliminary figures from the state Department of Labor show Alaska lost 3,600 jobs between 2016 and 2017. Another 1,800 jobs are expected to be lost between 2017 and 2018.
A federal population estimate will be released in March, but the state’s data is considered to be more accurate.
— Associated Press
