Investor Presentaiton
638761
The Rural Alaska Economy
The economy of rural Alaska-particularly villages in western and interior Alaska-is very
different from that of urban areas that account for most of Alaska's population. These
population of "village Alaska" is overwhelmingly Alaska Native. Residents get much of their
food from subsistence. Costs are very high, and basic infrastructure such as housing and
water are far below the standards of urban Alaska. There are few jobs, and a very high
share of jobs are in local government, education and health care. The economy is heavily
dependent on federal and state transfers. A major economic challenge facing Alaska is how
to create economic opportunities in these areas. There are no easy or obvious answers.
% Alaska Native (1999)
Unemployment rate (2000)
Two Rural Census Areas
Anchorage
Wade
Hampton
Yukon-
Koyukuk
8.1%
94.7%
63.3%
4.7%
17.8%
15.4%
Adults Not In Labor Force (1990)
26.7%
44.3%
39.5%
$4,000
$5,900
$7,100
% of population below poverty level (1997)
6.7%
39.4%
24.2%
Transfer payments per person (1999)
Many Alaska villages are
accessible only by small
planes, boats or
snowmachines. Freight
costs are heavily
subsidized by the U.S.
Postal Service's "bypass
mail" program.
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