Copper River Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.4 | 2,674 people · 22nd most distressed in Alaska
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Copper River Census Area, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.4 — 2624th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Alaska, it ranks 22nd 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. Copper River Census Area's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 66.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 66.5
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 61
Disability Rate 91
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Economic Vitality 35.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 32.6
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 81
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 92
Subprime Credit Population 26
Housing Cost Burden 18.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 23
Homeownership Rate 78
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Copper River Census Area
Kingman County, KS 32.4 Healthy 0.0
Kalawao County, HI 32.4 Healthy -0.0
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy -0.1
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy -0.1
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Copper River 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 Copper River 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 Copper River Census Area, Alaska?

    Copper River Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 32.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,624th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Copper River Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Copper River Census Area is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 66.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Copper River Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Copper River 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). Copper River Census Area's score of 32.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Copper River 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 Copper River Census Area?

    Copper River Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 2,674 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.