Chugach Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.5 | 6,769 people · 29th most distressed in Alaska
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Chugach Census Area, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.5 — 2946th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Alaska, it ranks 29th of 30 counties. Its strongest area is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chugach Census Area's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 38.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 38.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 11
Homeownership Rate 89
Economic Vitality 33.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 14
House Price Change (YoY) 48
Structural Poverty 27.7
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 10
Consumer Credit Distress 20.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 85
Subprime Credit Population 26
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chugach Census Area
Teton County, MT 25.5 Healthy -0.0
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy +0.0
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy -0.1
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy -0.1
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chugach Census Area

Find an Attorney

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 Chugach 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 Chugach Census Area, Alaska?

    Chugach Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 25.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,946th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chugach Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Chugach Census Area is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 38.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Chugach Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Chugach Census Area.

  • 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 Healthy 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). Chugach Census Area's score of 25.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Chugach 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 Chugach Census Area?

    Chugach Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 6,769 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.