Bethel Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.0 | 18,224 people · 3rd most distressed in Alaska
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Bethel Census Area, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.0 — 1774th 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 3rd of 30 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Bethel Census Area's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 90.4 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 90.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Structural Poverty 81.0
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 89
Consumer Credit Distress 46.6
Debt in Collections 71
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 70
Housing Cost Burden 23.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 93
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Bethel Census Area
Bethel Census Area, AK 47.0 Normal —
Dillingham Census Area, AK 46.8 Normal -0.2
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK 44.5 Normal -2.6
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 42.9 Normal -4.2
Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK 38.6 Normal -8.5
Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK 35.0 Healthy -12.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Bethel Census Area
Finney County, KS 47.1 Normal +0.0
Salem city, VA 47.0 Normal -0.1
Lawrence County, MO 47.1 Normal +0.1
Nelson County, KY 47.2 Normal +0.1
Young County, TX 47.2 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Bethel Census Area

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Alaska Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Alaska Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 907-272-7469

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Bethel Census Area residents at no cost.

Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) 1-888-478-2572

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Bethel Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 47.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,774th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Bethel Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Bethel Census Area is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 90.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Bethel Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Bethel Census Area (47.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Dillingham Census Area, AK (46.8); Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK (44.5); Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK (42.9).

  • 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). Bethel Census Area's score of 47.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Bethel 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 Bethel Census Area?

    Bethel Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 18,224 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.