Yes, but speaking as someone who's worked for Brits more than once, including my most recent job, the term 'as at' is not used in the states. We use 'as of' a certain date.
...possibly, but I suspect it's more because it comes from the "Name all the US State Capitals" quiz, and a lot of people probably start with the non-contiguous ones, to get them out of the way, then progress on to the rest.
So a lot of people will get those two right off the bat. But from there, there's a lot less consistency in what order they do the other 48, so there's less reason for any to stand out because of the order.
That was 100% my reasoning when I typed in Honolulu and Juneau on this quiz.
I'm shocked about Juneau. I think if you went up to 10 Americans on the street and asked what the capital of Alaska is you'd only get one or two correct answers
Pretty sure it's because Hawaii and Alaska both are off on their own, many quiz takers start by guessing them first. Also Alaska appears in the 2nd position on a list of states ordered alphabetically.
So a lot of people will get those two right off the bat. But from there, there's a lot less consistency in what order they do the other 48, so there's less reason for any to stand out because of the order.
That was 100% my reasoning when I typed in Honolulu and Juneau on this quiz.