by Greg Lincoln
In 2022, Alaska’s resident population was 736,556 persons, up from 736,105 persons in 2021 says the Alaska Vital Statistics 2022 Annual Report, updated September 22nd, 2023. This included 377,762 men (51%), and 358,794 women (49%), or approximately 105 men per 100 women.
There were Alaskan 9,361 births and 5,701 deaths in 2022.
Births have been on a downward trend since 2018. Of the births in 2022, 4,754 were boys and 4,607 were girls. The Bethel Census region recorded 407 births and 162 deaths in 2022 and the Kusilvak Census region had 228 births and 66 deaths. There were 267 twin and 10 triplet births in 2022 statewide.
In 2022, 662 adoptions were granted in the state. The Alaska State Court granted 81% of adoptions, Alaska Native Tribal courts granted 4%, and 15% were cultural adoptions granted by Alaska Native Village Councils.
57% of the deaths were men, and 43% were women. Cancers were the number one leading cause of death in 2022 (1,060 deaths). The most common type of cancers were trachea, bronchus and lung at 231 deaths.
Diseases of heart were the second leading cause of death in 2022 (990 deaths).
Accidents (unintentional injuries) were the third leading cause of death in 2022 (547 deaths). The most common type of accidents were accidental poisoning and exposure to noxious substances at 261 deaths. This was followed by motor vehicle accidents at 114 deaths.
COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in 2022 (265 deaths). Deaths were highest during the winter months between January and February, peaking at 68 deaths in February 2022. There were also 71 deaths where COVID-19 was a contributing cause, for a total of 336 COVID-19 related deaths.
In 2021, COVID-19 deaths were the third leading cause of death numbering at 762.
By race and ethnicity, Alaska’s population distribution was 64% White, 4% Black, 16% AI/AN, 8% Asian/PI, and 8% multiple race people. Hispanic people of any race made up 8%.
Children aged <15 years, made up 20% of Alaska’s population. While seniors aged 65+ years made up 15%. Most of Alaska’s population was concentrated in the Anchorage region (39%). This was followed by the Interior and Matanuska-Susitna regions (both at 15%).
The most popular baby names for 2022 were: Aurora and Charlotte (tied at 38) for girls, and Oliver (45) for the boys. The second most popular names were: Amelia/Emma/Evelyn (tied at 35) for the girls, and Liam (42) for the boys.
Other popular names for girls in 2022 were Olivia (33), Penelope (28), and Scarlett (27). For the boys, other popular names included: James (37), Theodore (34), and Lucas/William (tied at 32).
Births 2018-2022:
2022: 9,361
2021: 9,411
2020: 9,485
2019: 9,832
2018: 10,100
Deaths 2018-2022
2022: 5,701
2021: 6,220
2020: 5,201
2019: 4,631
2018: 4,464
