At a glance: Alaska

Alaska is the 48th most populous state in the U.S., with 740,133 residents across its 586,000 square miles according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The state ranked No. 50 for business in 2025 by CNBC. Alaska is home to key economic industries, including oil, natural gas, fishing, agriculture and mining.

Energy

Alaska ranks 13th for energy production, with nuclear and renewable energy the main products, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The state ranks 1st for energy consumption, largely due to its harsh winters. Alaskans primarily rely on natural gas and coal.

Alaska's residential electricity rate is $0.273/kWh, above the national average of $0.175/kWh. Commercial users pay $0.230, above the national average of $0.142. Industrial users pay $0.194/kWh, above the national average industrial rate of $0.093/kWh.

Residential natural gas prices average $11.70 per thousand cubic feet, lower than the national average of $14.59, according to the most recently available data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Environment

Annual carbon emissions have more than tripled (263.6%) since 1970, as the state’s population grew from 300,382 to 733,391. Alaska's population is projected to decrease by .2%, dropping to 722,806 residents by 2050. Per-capita carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy consumption decreased 18% in the state between 2005 and 2023.

Over 90 percent of Alaska's land is owned by federal, state and tribal agencies. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists 8 species in Alaska as threatened or endangered.