Juneau is a city and borough located in Juneau City and Borough Alaska. Juneau has a 2024 population of 31,337. Juneau is currently declining at a rate of -0.69% annually and its population has decreased by -2.71% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 32,209 in 2020.
The average household income in Juneau is $117,189 with a poverty rate of 6.9%. The median age in Juneau is 39 years: 38.7 years for males, and 39.6 years for females.
Juneau is a city located in the state of Alaska. It also serves as the capital of the state. Juneau is the second largest city in the U.S. by area, although the same can not be said of its population.
State, city and federal governments are the primary employers for residents of Juneau. The University of Alaska Southeast is also a top employer. During the summer months, the tourism industry is also booming, with cruise ships bringing over 1 million tourists to the area from May through September.
Juneau’s population has traditionally grown slowly and steadily. The most significant growth occurred between 1970 and 1980 when the population increased from just over 6,000 to nearly 20,000. Further growth pushed the community to over 26,000 at the time of the census taken in 1990. Since then, growth has slowed significantly. Recent estimates show that the population has grown 3.8% since the last poll taken in 2010. It has been predicted that Juneau will continue to see slow but steady growth at least over the next few years.
Before the Europeans settled it, Juneau served as a fishing area for various tribes that lived in the area for thousands of years before it was officially settled. Descendants of these natives still live in the city today and have fought against the government to prevent the development over the area known as Indian Point.
The first recorded contact by Europeans occurred in 1794, although it is believed that Europeans had explored the area before this time. However, Juneau was settled upon its discovery.
Only after the gold rush in the state of California did more people begin exploring the West in search of more gold. In 1880, two men marked a townsite and a mining camp was established after gold was discovered at the head of Gold Creek. The camp quickly became a village as more miners can to the area, although no permanent buildings were developed yet. By the next year, the population totaled more than 100 people and in the same year, the settlement was named Juneau.
In 1906, whaling and fur trade declines led to the government to move the capital from Sitka to Juneau. It was the largest city at the time. In 1911, the capitol building was authorized to be built. However, there were significant delays and construction did not begin until 1929 and was finished two years later.
Throughout the 20th century, efforts were made to move the capital to first Fairbanks and then later Willow. However, neither of these efforts were fruitful, and the city of Juneau has remained the capital ever since.
The population of the city grew in the late 1950s when Alaska was designated as a U.S. state. In the 1970s, the development of the Alaska Pipeline led to further population and economic growth, which slowed down in the next decade.
Today, the city is a major tourism spot, with millions of people coming each year on cruise ships. The tourism industry, along with government jobs, fuels the economy. The city hosts many cultural festivals and events each year, highlighting the works of residents. The city also features nightspots, restaurants, landmarks, and other attractions for residents and tourists.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Juneau was:
White
Two or more races
Native American
Asian
Other race
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Black or African American
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 13,017 | 2.42 | 64.3 | 35.7 |
Married | 5,955 | 3.23 | 78.6 | 21.4 |
Non Family | 5,550 | 1.31 | 51.6 | 48.4 |
Female | 878 | 3.51 | 47.4 | 52.6 |
Male | 634 | 3.01 | 63.7 | 36.3 |
3.12
Average Family Size
2.42
Average Household Size
64.3%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
The highest rate of high school graduation is among black people with a rate of 98.89%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among white people with a rate of 48.78%.
All
Male
Female
$58,119
Average Earnings
$63,837
Average Male
$53,421
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
88.93% of Juneau residents speak only English, while 11.07% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Asian and Pacific Island languages, which is spoken by 5.4% of the population.
rate
6.9%
Overall Poverty Rate
7.19%
Male Poverty Rate
6.61%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Juneau is Black, with 48.09% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Juneau is Islander, with 1.6% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 2.02%. Among those working part-time, it was 11.28%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 10.34%.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
49.4%
Overall Marriage Rate
49.6%
Male Marriage Rate
49.3%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
3.25%
Veteran Poverty Rate
34.01%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
66.6%
Labor Force Participation
62.3%
Employment Rate
4.5%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
39.18%
Born in Juneau
91.52%
Native Born
8.48%
Foreign Born
2.57%
Non Citizen
5.91%
Naturalized
91.52% of Juneau residents were born in the United States, with 39.18% having been born in Alaska. 2.57% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Asia.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 30,247 | -218 | -0.72% |
2028 | 30,465 | -218 | -0.71% |
2027 | 30,683 | -218 | -0.71% |
2026 | 30,901 | -218 | -0.7% |
2025 | 31,119 | -218 | -0.7% |
2024 | 31,337 | -218 | -0.69% |
2023 | 31,555 | -185 | -0.58% |
2022 | 31,740 | -239 | -0.75% |
2021 | 31,979 | -230 | -0.71% |
2020 | 32,209 | 171 | 0.53% |
2019 | 32,038 | -6 | -0.02% |
2018 | 32,044 | -62 | -0.19% |
2017 | 32,106 | -350 | -1.08% |
2016 | 32,456 | -188 | -0.58% |
2015 | 32,644 | 143 | 0.44% |
2014 | 32,501 | -104 | -0.32% |
2013 | 32,605 | 214 | 0.66% |
2012 | 32,391 | 226 | 0.7% |
2011 | 32,165 | 778 | 2.48% |
2010 | 31,387 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 30,711 | 3,960 | 14.8% |
1990 | 26,751 | 7,223 | 36.99% |
1980 | 19,528 | 13,478 | 222.78% |
1970 | 6,050 | -747 | -10.99% |
1960 | 6,797 | 979 | 16.83% |
1950 | 5,818 | 89 | 1.55% |
1940 | 5,729 | 1,686 | 41.7% |
1930 | 4,043 | 985 | 32.21% |
1920 | 3,058 | 1,758 | 135.23% |
1900 | 1,300 | -28,947 | -95.7% |