Where People Who Live In Alaska Were Born (Anchorage, Wasilla: 2014, home)

[Unsettomati]

This is a fascinating interactive New York Times piece, showing where people in each state were born by census figures (from 2010, back to 1900 - though Alaska stats only go back to 1960).

As of 2010, 42% of Alaskans were born in Alaska (up from 32% in 1960).
7% were born in California
4% were born in Washington
3% were born in Texas
2% were born in Oregon
1% were born in Pennsylvania
12% were born in the Midwest
7% were born in Western states other than CA, WA and OR
7% were born in Southern states other than TX
7% were born in Northeastern states other than PA
12% were born outside the United States (compare that to 4% in 1960)

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...2&abg=0#Alaska

[Rance]

I was born in Minnesota. At one point that was about all I met up here...Minnesotans. Then I got into the oilfield and met a majority of Texans.

[AKStafford]

Born in Oregon, but have spent 33 of my 40 years in Alaska.
Wife was born, raised and continues to live in Wasilla. Her father was born, raised and continues to live in Wasilla.

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

Born in Oregon, but have spent 33 of my 40 years in Alaska.
Wife was born, raised and continues to live in Wasilla. Her father was born, raised and continues to live in Wasilla.

Just curious AKStafford...what led your parents there? I know lots of folk who stayed after serving in the military. I always wanted to be stationed with the Army in Alaska and asked for that assignment three different times and ended up in Korea each time. After the third try I quit asking for Alaska. I've been blessed after retirement to be able to work there six summers with the Nat Park Service.

I'd move there, but wife unwilling. Says it's too far from grandchildren.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by JoDan

Just curious AKStafford...what led your parents there?

Dad worked in the timber industry. Logging in Oregon was always up and down. He'd always wanted to see Alaska, and one time when Oregon was down, a cousin gave him the contact info for a company here in Alaska. The next weekend he headed up, we followed about 4 months later.

Originally Posted by JoDan

I'd move there, but wife unwilling. Says it's too far from grandchildren.

When timber industry here in Alaska was dismantled, the parents went back to Oregon to find jobs. They'd love to move back up, but now there's 12 grandkids in Oregon & Washington that they can't bear to be apart from.

[kodiakbearcountry]

I was born in Alaska as were my brothers. I'm moving back in a few years when youngest graduates high school. My husband and I were military and never could swing an assignment back home and we didn't want to uproot kids in high school. My mom was also born in Alaska though my dad moved there when he was 2 years old. :P Alaska is in our blood, pure and simple.

[lellenn]

I was born in Chicago, raised in Los Angeles, went to college in Utah and then moved to AK about 12 years ago. My husband was born in Anchorage, moved to Wasilla in 84, and except for a brief stint in the lower 48, that's where he's lived. AKStafford I wonder if you or your wife know him, since he's about the same age as you...it's a small town in the valley for sure.

[AnonymouseX]

I was born in Ireland but raised in Texas.

[laina1980]

Originally Posted by kodiakbearcountry

I was born in Alaska as were my brothers. I'm moving back in a few years when youngest graduates high school. My husband and I were military and never could swing an assignment back home and we didn't want to uproot kids in high school. My mom was also born in Alaska though my dad moved there when he was 2 years old. :P Alaska is in our blood, pure and simple.

My daughter is 11 and she was born in AK raised tere til 9 with a small gap not being there. She loves her school now and doesnt want to finish school years in AK. But she has announced that she WILL with certainty move back when finishes college.

[Ryant73]

My whole family lives up here. Most of us were born in AZ, NM, OR and CA...But, I don't consider myself an Alaskan, it's not my cup of tea. I am looking at leaving, as well as some of the other family members who have lived up here for 17 years or more.