Alaska is America’s largest state by total area, spanning over 663,000 square miles. However, its sparse population of just over 730,000 is concentrated primarily in and around a handful of cities.
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, lies in the south-central region and holds over 40 percent of the state’s total population. Other prominent population centers emerged from Alaska’s history – as ports, mining boomtowns, fishing hubs, and more.
While much of Alaska’s landmass is remote wilderness or sparsely populated rural areas, cities like Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks have developed as economic and cultural focal points.
Juneau serves as the state capital and government hub, while Anchorage acts as the business center. Fairbanks offers access to interior Alaska and links Alaska with Canada via the Alaska Highway system.
Understanding the story behind each city provides insight into the state’s past and how urban development unfolded in the 49th state.
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Here is a table comparing the 10 Largest Alaskan cities:
| City | Population (2020) | Region | Economy | Top Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | 291,247 | Southcentral | Transportation, military, tourism | Anchorage Museum, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail |
| Fairbanks | 32,515 | Interior | Oil, mining, agriculture, tourism | Northern Lights, Chena Hot Springs |
| Juneau | 32,255 | Southeast | Government, fishing, tourism | Mendenhall Glacier, Mt Roberts Tramway |
| Sitka | 8,615 | Southeast | Fishing, tourism, shipping | St Michael’s Cathedral, Sitka National Historical Park |
| Ketchikan | 8,224 | Southeast | Fishing, tourism, timber | Misty Fjords National Monument, Totem Bight State Park |
| Wasilla | 10,197 | Southcentral | Transportation, construction, retail | Iditarod Trail, Knik Glacier tours |
| Kenai | 7,840 | Southcentral | Fishing, oil, tourism | Kenai River fishing, Kenai Fjords boat tours |
| Kodiak | 5,763 | Southwest | Fishing, seafood processing | Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Baranov Museum |
| Bethel | 6,080 | Southwest | Aviation, fishing, arts & crafts | Dog mushing tours, Cama-i Dance Festival |
| Palmer | 5,964 | Southcentral | Agriculture, tourism | Musk Ox Farm, Independence Mine State Park |
10 Largest Cities in Alaska
1. Anchorage
Anchorage is Alaska’s largest and most populous city, with a population of 291,247 as of 2020. It serves as the economic and transportation hub for the state. Anchorage has a vibrant dining scene, with cuisine reflecting the city’s diversity. Popular dishes include fresh Alaskan seafood, Korean barbecue, pho, reindeer sausage, and more. The city also has a thriving craft beer culture, with almost 20 local breweries and brewpubs to explore.
Major attractions and activities in Anchorage include:
- The Anchorage Museum – Showcases Alaskan art and history exhibits
- Kincaid Park – Over 1,400 acres of scenic wilderness with hiking and biking trails
- Flattop Mountain – Iconic hike with panoramic views of Anchorage and Cook Inlet
- Alaska Native Heritage Center – Learn about Alaska Native cultures with dance performances and village exhibits
- Tony Knowles Coastal Trail – Picturesque 11-mile trail along Cook Inlet for walking, running and biking
2. Fairbanks
Fairbanks is located in Alaska’s Interior region and is the second-largest city in the state with a population of 32,515 as of 2020. It features a subarctic climate and is a popular starting point for Arctic adventures.
Fairbanks is considered the Golden Heart City due to its role during multiple Gold Rushes. Historic attractions include the SS Nenana sternwheeler ship and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Top sights and activities in Fairbanks include:
- Aurora Borealis viewing – Ideal northern latitudes to see the Northern Lights
- Chena Hot Springs – Relax in natural geothermal springs surrounded by boreal forests
- World Ice Art Championships – Massive ice sculptures carved by artists from around the world
- Gold Dredge No. 8 – Tour a preserved 1940s gold mining dredge
- Running Reindeer Ranch – Visit and feed reindeer at a family-owned ranch
3. Juneau
The state capital Juneau has a population of 32,255 as of 2020. The only capital in the United States that is not accessible by road, Juneau is nestled between the Gastineau Channel and scenic mountains.
Popular historical attractions include the state capitol building, the Governor’s House, and St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church. Nature lovers will enjoy whale-watching tours, glacier treks, hiking trails, and the Mt. Roberts Tramway.
Top sights and activities in Juneau include:
- Mendenhall Glacier – Drive up close to this gorgeous glacier or take a helicopter tour
- Mount Roberts Tramway – Ride the tram up for panoramic views of downtown Juneau
- Macaulay Salmon Hatchery – Watch salmon spawn up close from underwater viewing windows
- Alaska State Museum – Immerse yourself in Alaska’s culture, history, and art
- Whale watching tours – Spot humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, puffins, and more
4. Sitka
Sitka has a population of 8,615 residents as of 2020. As the site of Tlingit and Russian settlements in the early 1800s, Sitka retains much of its historical charm and is considered Alaska’s crown jewel.
Outdoor attractions include hiking in Sitka National Historical Park, kayaking on scenic waterways, and wildlife viewing on boat tours. Cultural sights include centuries-old Russian Orthodox churches and a replica of a Tlingit clan house.
Top attractions and activities in Sitka include:
- St. Michael’s Cathedral – Historic Russian Orthodox cathedral dating back to the 1840s
- Sitka Sound Seafoods – See salmon hatcheries and watch workers process seafood
- Fortress of the Bear – Visit orphaned Alaska brown bear cubs at this rescue center
- Sitka National Historical Park – Totem poles, trails, and sites from Tlingit-Russian battles
- Sea otter and wildlife boat tours – Spot whales, puffins, deer, bears, and more on the water
5. Ketchikan
Known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Ketchikan has a population of 8,224 as of 2020. It is located in southeast Alaska along the Inside Passage, with an economy heavily based on commercial fishing.
Ketchikan has many historical boardwalk streets featuring totem poles, Creek Street’s colorful houses built over a salmon stream, and Dolly’s House museum about pioneer Madam Dolly Arthur.
Top Ketchikan sights and activities include:
- Misty Fjords National Monument – Breathtaking fjords and wilderness perfect for flightseeing tours
- Totem Bight State Park – See authentic 19th-century style totem poles and a Tlingit community house
- Saxman Native Village – Watch Native Alaskan dance performances depicting Tlingit myths and legends
- Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show – Watch lumberjacks compete in log rolling, axe throwing, and more
- Ketchikan parks – Diverse parks like Deer Mountain Tribal Hatchery, Settlers Cove, Refuge Cove, and more
6. Wasilla
Wasilla is located in southcentral Alaska, approximately 43 miles north of Anchorage. It has a population of 10,197 as of 2020. The economy is focused on transportation, construction, retail, and tourism.
Wasilla gained prominence during the 2008 US presidential election when Sarah Palin, then-governor of Alaska, became the Republican vice-presidential nominee. Palin was formerly a mayor of Wasilla.
Top Wasilla attractions and activities include:
- Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – “Last Great Race on Earth” starts in Wasilla
- Knik Glacier tours – Ride fat tire bikes or trek on foot to view this massive river of ice
- Musk Ox Farm – Visit a working musk ox domestication farm
- Wasilla Museum exhibits – Learn about the region’s native cultures, pioneers, and more
- Hatcher Pass recreation – Year-round hiking, skiing, snow machining, berry picking, and more
7. Kenai
Kenai has a population of 7,840 as of 2020 and is located on the Kenai Peninsula. Its economy focuses on oil, fishing, tourism, and agriculture. Historic attractions include the Russian Orthodox Church built in 1895 and the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church. Popular activities include fishing for salmon and halibut in the Cook Inlet and Kenai River.
Top sights and activities in Kenai include:
- Kenai River fishing – Cast lines for trophy king salmon from May to July
- Kenai National Wildlife Refuge – Spot moose, bears, caribou, wolves, and more
- Kenai Fjords National Park boat tours – View tidewater glaciers, puffins, sea lions, and whales
- Kenai Peninsula Brewing Company – Sample award-winning local craft beers
- Golf courses – Picturesque courses like Kenai Golf Course and North Peninsula Golf Course
8. Kodiak
Located on Kodiak Island, Kodiak has a population of 5,763 as of 2020. Its economy and culture revolve around commercial fishing, with the Kodiak Bear a symbolic fixture. Kodiak is renowned for the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, home to the famous Kodiak brown bear. Visitors can view the bears and other wildlife on guided treks through the wilderness.
Top Kodiak sights and activities include:
- Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge – Spot Kodiak bears, elk, puffins, eagles and more
- Baranov Museum – Discover Kodiak’s Russian colonial and native Alutiiq history
- Fort Abercrombie State Park – Hike along coastal forests, cliffs, and WWII fort ruins
- Pasagshak State Recreation Site – Camp along the rocky coastline and bluffs
- Kodiak Island Brewing Co. – Sample craft beer with unique flavors like smoked salmon
9. Bethel
Bethel is located along the Kuskokwim River in southwest Alaska. It has a population of 6,080 as of 2020. Yup’ik Eskimo and Athabascan Indian cultures feature prominently.
Bethel offers rich cultural sights like traditional Yup’ik dancing and native Alaskan arts and crafts. Popular outdoor activities include dog mushing, snowmachining, fishing, and berry picking.
Top Bethel attractions and activities include:
- Dog mushing tours – Ride on sleds pulled by racing sled dogs
- Annual Cama-i Dance Festival – See elaborate costumes and masks depicting ancestral spirits
- Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta National Wildlife Refuge – Prime birdwatching spot to see cranes, geese, and more
- Kuskokwim River fishing – Catch salmon, pike, shellfish, grayling, and more
- Bethel Winter House – Learn about Yup’ik winter survival skills and housing
10. Palmer
Palmer lies in the Matanuska Valley, 42 miles northeast of Anchorage, with a population of 5,964 as of 2020. Agriculture features prominently, with the annual Alaska State Fair held there every summer.
Palmer offers agritourism activities like picking berries and vegetables at local farms. The downtown area also has charming shops, art galleries, and museums that preserve Palmer’s history as an agricultural colony.
Top attractions and activities in Palmer include:
- Musk Ox Farm – See domesticated musk oxen up close that provide qiviut fiber
- Independence Mine State Historical Park – Explore Alaska Gold Rush mining history
- Hatcher Pass recreation area – Year-round hiking, skiing, camping, berry picking, and more
- Palmer Museum of History & Art – Highlights Matanuska Valley history and Alaskan artists
- Farm visits – Pick berries, vegetables, flowers, and more at local farms
Conclusion
Alaska’s largest cities reveal much about the state’s heritage and strategic location on global trade routes. Anchorage dominates as the primate city and transportation hub, but Juneau and Fairbanks also hold important roles.
Smaller regional centers like Sitka, Ketchikan, and Nome emerged from various gold rushes, military bases, and fishing economies over time.
While cities house a majority of Alaska’s residents, native Alaskan villages, remote settlements, and vast wilderness regions remain, hearkening back to early indigenous cultures before Western contact.
Urban development concentrated along limited road networks and accessible ports, creating an uneven landscape. However, the diversity and history of Alaska are very much encapsulated in the rise of its largest cities over time.