Anchorage is a major port, receiving over 95% of all freight entering Alaska, as well as a hub of the Alaska Railroad. Major industries include government and military, Petroleum, and tourism.

There are two U.S. military bases bordering Anchorage on the north: Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson. Nearly all Alaska Interior-bound tourists pass through Anchorage at some stage of their journeys in Alaska.

Not surprisingly, summer is tourist season, and downtown Anchorage, as well as the highways leading north and south of town, is typically teeming with tourists.

Employment: 156,548 in 2003; 130,804 in 1999; and 121,853 in 1995
Unemployment: 5.7% in 2003; varied 4.1% to 7.4% from 1991-2000
Adults Not In Labor Force: 30.4% in 2000; 26.7% in 1990
Per Capita Wealth: $27,852 in 1999; $26,452 in 1995 (in 1999 dollars)
Transfer Payments: $4,000/person in 1999; $3,3 00/person in 1995
Population: 274,003 people in 2003 or 42.2% of Alaska’s population
Net Migration: Average in-migration of .4 people/year/1,000 population (1990-2003)
Ethnicity: 7.8% of total population was all or part Alaska Native in 2002
Below Poverty Level: 7.4% of population in 2000; 7.0% in 1990
Race: White: 72%,
African American: 6%,
Native American: 7%,
Asian: 6%,
Hawaiian: 1%,
Other/Mixed: 8%