Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.2 | 5,160 people · 11th most distressed in Alaska
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Aleutians West Census Area, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.2 — 2111th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Alaska, it ranks 11th of 30 counties. It scores higher than all 1 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Aleutians West Census Area's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 81.7 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 81.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 81
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 51.6
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 67
Uninsured Rate 94
Subprime Credit Population 33
Housing Cost Burden 28.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 95
Structural Poverty 17.6
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Aleutians West Census Area
Aleutians West Census Area, AK 41.2 Normal —
Aleutians East Borough, AK 38.8 Normal -2.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Aleutians West Census Area
Borden County, TX 41.2 Normal 0.0
Cheyenne County, NE 41.2 Normal -0.0
San Juan County, CO 41.3 Normal +0.0
Monona County, IA 41.3 Normal +0.0
Pawnee County, KS 41.3 Normal +0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Aleutians West Census Area as a CSV file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska?

    Aleutians West Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 41.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,111th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Aleutians West Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Aleutians West Census Area is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 81.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Aleutians West Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Aleutians West Census Area (41.2) can be compared to its 1 neighboring county: Aleutians East Borough, AK (38.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Aleutians West Census Area's score of 41.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Aleutians West Census Area's CDI score?

    Aleutians West Census Area's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Aleutians West Census Area?

    Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 5,160 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.