Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.7 | 5,696 people · 5th most distressed in Alaska
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Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.7 — 1915th 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 5th of 30 counties. It scores higher 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. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 77.3 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 77.3
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 66
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Economic Vitality 52.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Housing Cost Burden 42.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 54
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 64
Consumer Credit Distress 40.9
Debt in Collections 58
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 36
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK 44.7 Normal —
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK 41.4 Normal -3.3
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal -6.1
Wrangell City and Borough, AK 31.6 Healthy -13.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Presidio County, TX 44.7 Normal -0.0
Newton County, AR 44.7 Normal +0.0
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +0.0
Coke County, TX 44.7 Normal -0.0
Loving County, TX 44.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area as a CSV file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska?

    Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,915th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 77.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (44.7) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK (41.4); Petersburg Borough, AK (38.6); Wrangell City and Borough, AK (31.6).

  • 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). Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's score of 44.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area's CDI score?

    Prince of Wales-Hyder 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 Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area?

    Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 5,696 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.