Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 35.0 | 1,331 people · 19th most distressed in Alaska
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 35.0 — 2474th 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 19th of 30 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lake and Peninsula Borough's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.9
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 87
Income vs. State Median 92
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Economic Vitality 40.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 36.0
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 39
Housing Cost Burden 19.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 92
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake and Peninsula Borough
Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK 35.0 Healthy —
Bethel Census Area, AK 47.0 Normal +12.1
Dillingham Census Area, AK 46.8 Normal +11.8
Aleutians East Borough, AK 38.8 Normal +3.9
Kenai Peninsula Borough, AK 38.6 Normal +3.6
Kodiak Island Borough, AK 29.3 Healthy -5.6
Bristol Bay Borough, AK 25.6 Healthy -9.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake and Peninsula Borough
Hartley County, TX 35.1 Normal +0.1
Columbia County, WA 34.9 Healthy -0.1
Toole County, MT 34.9 Healthy -0.1
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal +0.2
Mathews County, VA 35.2 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lake and Peninsula 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 Lake and 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Alaska →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Lake and Peninsula Borough has a County Distress Index score of 35.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,474th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lake and Peninsula Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Lake and Peninsula Borough is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lake and Peninsula Borough compare to neighboring counties?

    Lake and Peninsula Borough (35.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bethel Census Area, AK (47.0); Dillingham Census Area, AK (46.8); Aleutians East Borough, AK (38.8).

  • 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). Lake and Peninsula Borough's score of 35.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lake and 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 Lake and Peninsula Borough?

    Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 1,331 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.