Denali Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.3 | 1,584 people · 30th most distressed in Alaska
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Denali Borough, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.3 — 3088th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Alaska, it ranks 30th of 30 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Denali Borough's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 33.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 33.5
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Economic Vitality 24.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Housing Cost Burden 18.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 28
Consumer Credit Distress 16.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 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. Denali Borough
Denali Borough, AK 19.3 Healthy —
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK 44.5 Normal +25.2
Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK 43.8 Normal +24.5
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 42.9 Normal +23.6
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK 30.2 Healthy +11.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Denali Borough
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy -0.0
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy +0.1
Ida County, IA 19.2 Healthy -0.1
Cuming County, NE 19.4 Healthy +0.1
Bon Homme County, SD 19.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Denali Borough as a CSV file.

Find Help in Denali Borough

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 Denali Borough 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 Denali Borough, Alaska?

    Denali Borough has a County Distress Index score of 19.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,088th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Denali Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Denali Borough is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 33.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Denali Borough compare to neighboring counties?

    Denali Borough (19.3) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK (44.5); Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK (43.8); 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 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). Denali Borough's score of 19.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Denali Borough's CDI score?

    Denali Borough'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 Denali Borough?

    Denali Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 1,584 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.