Anchorage

by The Linguist

 

Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage is a diverse city located in southcentral Alaska, nestled between the Chugach Mountains and Knik Arm of Cook Inlet. With a population of 291,538 as of the 2020 census, it is the most populous city in Alaska and contains over 40 percent of the state’s total population.

History

The Anchorage area was first settled by indigenous peoples over 10,000 years ago. In the 18th century, Russian fur traders began exploring Alaska and establishing settlements. Anchorage itself was founded in 1914 and was built as a tent city to support the construction of the Alaska Railroad. It officially incorporated as a city in 1920. During World War II, Anchorage grew rapidly as a strategic air base and military buildup point. In the 1950s-60s, Anchorage became an important aviation center and saw further growth due to the discovery of oil in Prudhoe Bay. It continues to be an important transportation, business, and cultural hub for Alaska today. For more history of Anchorage, visit the Anchorage Wikipedia page.

Population

As mentioned above, Anchorage has a population of 291,538 as of the 2020 census. This makes it by far the most populous city in Alaska, containing over 295,365 people more than Juneau, the state’s capital. Anchorage accounts for approximately 41 percent of Alaska’s total population. The city has a diverse population, with approximately 8.1% Alaska Native or American Indian, 8.1% Asian, 6.8% Black/African American, 2.9% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 68.7% White. 13.5% identify as Hispanic/Latino.

Economy

Anchorage has a robust and diverse economy. As Alaska’s largest city, it serves as an economic hub for the state. Some of the major industries and employers include:

  • Oil and gas: Companies like ConocoPhillips and BP have major operations in Anchorage to support oil and gas activities in Alaska.
  • Transportation: Anchorage is home to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, which sees over 5 million passengers per year. Key airlines and shipping companies operate major hubs in the city.
  • Military: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Richardson bring in many military personnel and jobs to Anchorage.
  • Tourism: Over 2 million tourists visit Anchorage each year, supporting hotels, restaurants, tours, and cultural attractions.
  • Healthcare: Major hospitals and healthcare providers like Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Native Medical Center provide healthcare jobs.
  • Government: State and municipal government offices provide many jobs for residents.
  • Finance: As Alaska’s economic center, Anchorage is home to most of the state’s banks, investment companies and other financial service providers.

The median household income in Anchorage is $85,385, higher than the national median. The unemployment rate is currently 5.2%. For more details on Anchorage’s economy and major employers, visit the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation website.

Landmarks

Some of Anchorage’s most famous landmarks and attractions include:

  • Flattop Mountain (GPS: 61.149203, -149.904297) – A popular hiking destination with amazing views over Anchorage.
  • Tony Knowles Coastal Trail (GPS: 61.217429, -149.885719) – Scenic 11-mile biking and walking trail along the coast.
  • Alaska Native Heritage Center (GPS: 61.141307, -149.887691) – Museum celebrating Alaska Native cultures with traditional dance performances.
  • Anchorage Museum – Large museum with exhibits on Alaskan history, culture, art, and more.
  • Kincaid Park – Over 1,400 acres of scenic parkland trails perfect for biking, skiing, and hiking.
  • Alaska Zoo – Home to native Alaskan animals like bears, moose, caribou, seals and more.

For more on things to see and do in Anchorage, visit the Anchorage tourism website.

Map of Anchorage

Public Library

The Anchorage Public Library serves the city with a main downtown branch and two smaller branches in Muldoon and Chugiak-Eagle River. The library hosts many free events and programs for adults and children, including book clubs, computer training, story times, author talks and more.

Anchorage Public Library
3600 Denali St
Anchorage, AK 99503
Phone: (907) 343-2975

Museums

Some of Anchorage’s top museums include:

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Anchorage is provided by the People Mover bus system, operated by the Anchorage Community Transit Department. The People Mover operates over 35 local bus routes providing service across Anchorage and nearby Eagle River and Chugiak. Fares are $2 for a standard one-way adult ticket. Discounted monthly passes, senior fares, and disabled fares are also available.

Anchorage Community Transit
700 W 6th Ave
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 343-6543

Major Employers

Here are some of the major private and public employers in Anchorage:

  • Providence Alaska Medical Center (3800 Providence Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508) – Major hospital and healthcare provider
  • Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson – Military base with over 12,000 personnel
  • Anchorage School District (5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd, Anchorage, AK 99504)
  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (4000 Ambassador Dr, Anchorage, AK 99508) – Leading provider of healthcare for Alaska Native people
  • Alaska Airlines (19300 International Airport Rd, Anchorage, AK 99518) – Major airline hub
  • Walmart (Multiple locations in Anchorage)
  • Fred Meyer (Multiple locations in Anchorage) – Supermarket and retail chain
  • Tesoro Alaska (5401 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99518) – Petroleum refining company
  • GCI (2550 Denali St, Anchorage, AK 99503) – Telecommunications company
  • Chugach Electric Association (5601 Electron Dr, Anchorage, AK 99518) – Electric utility

County

Anchorage is located within the Municipality of Anchorage, a unified home rule municipality that functions as a borough with aspects of both a city and county. The municipality encompasses 1,961 square miles surrounding Anchorage. Visit the Municipality of Anchorage website to learn more.

Municipality of Anchorage
632 W 6th Ave #850
Anchorage, AK 99501
Phone: (907) 343-4311

School Districts

The Anchorage School District serves most of the city of Anchorage. There are also some smaller districts serving outer areas like Chugiak-Eagle River.

Local Resources

Here are some additional local resources and websites for Anchorage:

Anchorage has a wealth of parks, recreation areas, cultural attractions, sports teams, and community resources for residents and visitors to take advantage of. It’s an exciting place to live, work and visit!