Sitka City and Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.9 | 8,282 people · 17th most distressed in Alaska
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Sitka City and Borough, AK falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.9 — 2323rd 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 17th of 30 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 2 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sitka City and Borough's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 91
Economic Vitality 62.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 50
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 29.9
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 75
Subprime Credit Population 9
Structural Poverty 24.6
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 11
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sitka City and Borough
Sitka City and Borough, AK 37.9 Normal —
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal +0.8
Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK 36.2 Normal -1.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sitka City and Borough
Hot Springs County, WY 38.0 Normal +0.1
Harper County, OK 37.7 Normal -0.1
Keokuk County, IA 38.0 Normal +0.2
Moore County, TN 37.7 Normal -0.2
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Sitka City and Borough as a CSV file.

Find Help in Sitka City and Borough

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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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Sitka City and 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 Sitka City and Borough, Alaska?

    Sitka City and Borough has a County Distress Index score of 37.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,323rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sitka City and Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Sitka City and Borough is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Sitka City and Borough compare to neighboring counties?

    Sitka City and Borough (37.9) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Petersburg Borough, AK (38.6); Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, AK (36.2).

  • 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). Sitka City and Borough's score of 37.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Sitka City and Borough's CDI score?

    Sitka City and 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 Sitka City and Borough?

    Sitka City and Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 8,282 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.