Haines Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.2 | 2,070 people · 27th most distressed in Alaska
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Haines Borough, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.2 — 2793rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Alaska, it ranks 27th of 30 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Haines Borough's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Structural Poverty 48.0
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 51
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Housing Cost Burden 34.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 48
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 20.1
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 55
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. Haines Borough
Haines Borough, AK 29.2 Healthy —
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK 36.2 Normal +7.0
Skagway Municipality, AK 34.0 Healthy +4.8
Juneau City and Borough, AK 29.5 Healthy +0.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Haines Borough
Boise County, ID 29.1 Healthy -0.1
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy -0.1
Banner County, NE 29.4 Healthy +0.2
Lipscomb County, TX 29.0 Healthy -0.2
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Haines 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 Haines 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 Haines Borough, Alaska?

    Haines Borough has a County Distress Index score of 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,793rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Haines Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Haines Borough is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Haines Borough compare to neighboring counties?

    Haines Borough (29.2) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK (36.2); Skagway Municipality, AK (34.0); Juneau City and Borough, AK (29.5).

  • 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). Haines Borough's score of 29.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Haines 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 Haines Borough?

    Haines Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 2,070 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.