Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Anchorage, Alaska
State Alaska
City Anchorage
County1 Anchorage Borough
City Population (2005)2 266,281 41.5 % of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 51 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Low Density
State Capitol City Juneau
State Population (2005)2 641,724
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Mark Begich
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.muni.org
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 907-343-7100
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, April 7, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06 Yes
State Governor Name Sara Palin
State/Governor Website http://www.state.ak.us/
State/Governor Contact Information 907-465-3500
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.14    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 11.8%    
     Disability Status 14.9% 34  
     Emphysema 0.94% 2  
     Cardiovascular Disease 20.79% 3  
     Diabetes 4.34% 5  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.52% 54  
     Adult Asthma 9.36% 60  
     Adult Obesity 21.0%   31
     People Without Health Insurance 17.3%   41
     Age: Children under 5 years 8.0% 52  
     Age: 65 years and over 6.0% 1  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 10.0% 2  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 8.1% 71  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 30.6% 57  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 7.8% 32  
     Individuals Below Poverty 7.4% 1  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 8.8% 2  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 17.9% 3  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 14.6% 34  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 13.6 (of 51) 11  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,369,287 pounds   9
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 1,275,611 pounds 2
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 576,709 pounds 9
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 163,506,448 pounds 18
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 150,515,577 pounds 18
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 0.5 grams 3
Number of Superfund Sites in County 2 sites 37  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.876 tons per person 13
Recycling Rate (1997) 7.0% 48
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 1,332,188 tons 7
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 2.0 tons/person 49
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 100,516 tons 46
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 7.5% 45
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 2.8% 22
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 128.3% 49
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) 7.1% 14
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.2***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 (Not Available)   (Not Available)
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 0.0 PM2.5 1  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 6.0 PM2.5 3  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.3 PM2.5 10  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 6.3 PM2.5 4  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 7 ppm 63  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 32 ug/m3 42  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.8***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Anchorage ---  
# of Units in Watershed 14 units 52  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 14 units 45  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 13 units 29  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 92.9% 51  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 0.0% 1  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 15.91 inches 57  
Water Area Total, square miles 44,856 square miles 1  
Water Area Inland, square miles 17,501 square miles 1  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 27,355 square miles 1  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Juneau ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 54 years 38  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 222 days 1  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Juneau ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 54 years 37  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 99.0 inches 1  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 329,000,000 gallons/day 70  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 350,000,000 gallons/day 66  
Ground water, gallons/day 132,000,000 gallons/day 65  
Surface water, gallons/day 196,000,000 gallons/day 71  
Irrigation, gallons/day 600,000 gallons/day 70  
Public Supply, gallons/day 90,000,000 gallons/day 69  
Industrial, gallons/day 197,000,000 gallons/day 47  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 30,000,000 gallons/day 66  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 25,000,000 gallons/day 69  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier MOA Municipality of Anchorage ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 135,000 people 63  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 10  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 37  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 34  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 8 contaminants 34  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 6 contaminants 34  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 6 contaminants 32  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 15 contaminants 29  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 10  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 86 contaminants 44  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 71 contaminants 46  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 15 contaminants 37  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 19 violations 71  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 19 violations 71  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.5***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 153.4 people per square mile 72  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 59.1 housing units per square mile 72  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 19.5 minutes 16  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 18.3 minutes 14  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 14.6% 25  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 2.0% 53  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 3.2% 38  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 3.7% 11  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 105.4 41  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 99.3 MV registrations   46
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 143.1%   51
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 40.7 MV registrations   12
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.32 MV registrations   41
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 14,230 miles   5
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.006%   1
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 14.5%   34
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.03 miles   36
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 22.34 miles   31
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $618,000,000   12
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $43,429 per mile   38
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 41.1%   12
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $61,595 2  
Median Household Income (2000) $55,546 3  
Per capita income (2004) $28,371 10  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $25,287 7  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 4.9% 1  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 7.3% 3  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 7.4% 1  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 7.0% 59  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 8.8% 2  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 10,798 people 17  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.5% 37  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 7.8% 32  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 4.7% 45  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 6.8% 44  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 13.9% 23  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 12.8% 28  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Higher than Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $7.15 per hour 4  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 55,649 kids (8.7% of total pop.) 50  
Largest School District Enrollment 49,526 kids (7.7% of total pop.) 41  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 17.9 3  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 69.4% 13  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 91.9% 2  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 32.6% 25  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 10% 2  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade B   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Above Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 99,364 units 53  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 35.9% 67  
Cost of Living: Housing 132.9 55  
Cost of Living: Utilities 84.0 10  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 124.7 71  
Cost of Living: Overall 124.7 56  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 70.76%   5
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 52.90%   15
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 63.40%   7
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 38.0%   7
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,407.9 incidents per 100,000 people 14  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 790.6 incidents per 100,000 people 35  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,617.3 incidents per 100,000 people 12  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 4,961.5 incidents per 100,000 people 16  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score) (Not Available)    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Urbanized Area % (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.0    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.52% 54
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 9.36% 60
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 2.87% 6
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 0.94% 2
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 20.79% 3
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.34% 5  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 21.0% 31
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.9% 20
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 14.0% 34
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 5.5% 7
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 188.4 17
Cost of Living: Health 159.1 70  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 17.9% 43
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 17.3% 41
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -3.4% 17
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.6% 10
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 0 farms 70
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 1 market 69
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 0 restaurants 37
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 0 other sources 57
Cost of Living: Food 126.5 70
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 75.8% 36
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 41.1% 32
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.8***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 0 kW   41
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 0 kW   40
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs None   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol Exercises Tax credit/exemption and/or grant supporting ethanol use   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes No Commercial Energy Codes   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 25.1%   9
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 47 years 32
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 23% 60
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 41
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8 mph 47
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 7.5 mph 40
Heating Degree Days 8,897 days 59
Cooling Degree Days 0 days 1
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 32 years 54
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 79% 22
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 69% 59
Elevation, feet 102 feet 24
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 266,281 51 (of 72 in EDN study) 41.5 % of state population
City Population (2000) 260,283 53 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 641,724 47 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region West ---  
EPA Region 10 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 1,697.0 square miles 1 0.3 % of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 570,374 square miles 1  
Watershed Name Anchorage ---  
Elevation, feet 102 ft. (31.0 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 15.8°F (-9.0°C) 69
Average Daily Temperature - July 58.4°F (14.7°C) 1  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 33.5 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 71.1% 59  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 6.0% 72  
Under 5 years of age 21,095 kids (8.0% of total pop.) 50  
One Race-White % (2005) 69.8% 24  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 30.2% 49  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 7.0% 47  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 14.6% 39  
Largest School District Name Anchorage ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network