Nome Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.5 | 9,763 people · 12th most distressed in Alaska
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Nome Census Area, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.5 — 2161st 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 12th of 30 counties. It scores lower than all 2 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nome Census Area's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.8
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 73
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Economic Vitality 62.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 42.5
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 69
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 41
Housing Cost Burden 23.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 88
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nome Census Area
Nome Census Area, AK 40.5 Normal —
Northwest Arctic Borough, AK 55.5 Elevated +14.9
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK 44.5 Normal +3.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nome Census Area
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal +0.0
Hardin County, IL 40.6 Normal +0.0
Monroe County, IA 40.6 Normal +0.1
Lexington city, VA 40.4 Normal -0.1
Pleasants County, WV 40.7 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Nome 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

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Legal aid organizations serving Nome 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 Nome Census Area, Alaska?

    Nome Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 40.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,161st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nome Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Nome Census Area is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Nome Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Nome Census Area (40.5) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Northwest Arctic Borough, AK (55.5); Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK (44.5).

  • 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 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). Nome Census Area's score of 40.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Nome 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 Nome Census Area?

    Nome Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 9,763 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.