Statehood Comparison
Geography

Alaska vs Hawaii: Statehood

Alaska became a state before Hawaii.

Alaska flag
Alaska
AK • West
Winner
January 3, 1959 (#49)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.
Hawaii flag
Hawaii
HI • West
August 21, 1959 (#50)
When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Visual Comparison

Alaska January 3, 1959 (#49)
Hawaii August 21, 1959 (#50)

National Rankings

Where They Rank Nationally

See where both states fall among all 50 states for statehood.

Alaska #49 · January 3, 1959 (#49)
Hawaii #50 · August 21, 1959 (#50)
Best Worst

10 Best States — Statehood

Lower is better
#1 Delaware flag Delaware
December 7, 1787 (#1)
#2 Pennsylvania flag Pennsylvania
December 12, 1787 (#2)
#3 New Jersey flag New Jersey
December 18, 1787 (#3)
#4 Georgia flag Georgia
January 2, 1788 (#4)
#5 Connecticut flag Connecticut
January 9, 1788 (#5)
#6 Massachusetts flag Massachusetts
February 6, 1788 (#6)
#7 Maryland flag Maryland
April 28, 1788 (#7)
#8 South Carolina flag South Carolina
May 23, 1788 (#8)
#9 New Hampshire flag New Hampshire
June 21, 1788 (#9)
#10 Virginia flag Virginia
June 25, 1788 (#10)
Selected states
#49 Alaska flag Alaska
January 3, 1959 (#49)
#50 Hawaii flag Hawaii
August 21, 1959 (#50)

Alaska ranks 49th and Hawaii ranks 50th nationally for statehood.

Related Context

Historical Context

The statehood order mirrors westward expansion and regional settlement history.

What This Means

Alaska vs Hawaii: Statehood in context

Alaska has a statehood of January 3, 1959 (#49), compared with August 21, 1959 (#50) in Hawaii. When the state was admitted to the Union and its admission order.

Alaska
January 3, 1959 (#49)
Hawaii
August 21, 1959 (#50)

People Also Ask

Alaska vs Hawaii Statehood — Common Questions

Q What is Alaska's statehood?

Alaska's statehood is January 3, 1959 (#49).

Q What is Hawaii's statehood?

Hawaii's statehood is August 21, 1959 (#50).

Q Which state has a lower statehood — Alaska or Hawaii?

Alaska became a state before Hawaii.

Sources: Core demographic data comes from the 2020 U.S. Census, with land area from U.S. Census Bureau TIGER files. Income, housing, affordability, and tax fields are maintained in our comparison dataset; purchasing-power figures use BEA Regional Price Parities. Minimum wage data comes from the U.S. Department of Labor, gas prices from AAA, and electricity rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Political control and election fields use 2024 presidential results together with National Conference of State Legislatures data. Gun-law labels use the Giffords scorecard, alcohol system data comes from NABCA, and marijuana status uses NCSL's state cannabis laws tracker.