Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.6 | 61,223 people · 15th most distressed in Alaska
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Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.6 — 2279th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Alaska, it ranks 15th of 30 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kenai Peninsula Borough's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 57.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 57.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 45
Homeownership Rate 37
Structural Poverty 49.9
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Economic Vitality 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 51
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 38
Consumer Credit Distress 30.8
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 75
Subprime Credit Population 12
Legal Distress 1.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenai Peninsula Borough
Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK 38.6 Normal —
Anchorage Municipality, AK 47.6 Normal +9.0
Bethel Census Area, AK 47.0 Normal +8.5
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 42.9 Normal +4.3
Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK 35.0 Healthy -3.6
Kodiak Island Borough, AK 29.3 Healthy -9.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenai Peninsula Borough
Bedford County, VA 38.6 Normal +0.0
Tooele County, UT 38.5 Normal -0.1
Moore County, NC 38.7 Normal +0.1
Mason County, WA 38.4 Normal -0.2
Columbia County, NY 38.4 Normal -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Kenai Peninsula Borough as a CSV file.

Find Help in Kenai Peninsula Borough

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kenai Peninsula Borough.

RURAL ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Soldotna
907-260-3451 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Alaska →

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 Kenai Peninsula Borough residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska?

    Kenai Peninsula Borough has a County Distress Index score of 38.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,279th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kenai Peninsula Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Kenai Peninsula Borough is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 57.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kenai Peninsula Borough compare to neighboring counties?

    Kenai Peninsula Borough (38.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Anchorage Municipality, AK (47.6); Bethel Census Area, AK (47.0); 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). Kenai Peninsula Borough's score of 38.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Kenai Peninsula Borough's CDI score?

    Kenai Peninsula 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 Kenai Peninsula Borough?

    Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 61,223 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.