Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.2 | 7,077 people · 24th most distressed in Alaska
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Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.2 — 2747th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Alaska, it ranks 24th of 30 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 49.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 49.7
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 49
Child Poverty Rate 30
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 37
Consumer Credit Distress 37.0
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 67
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 92
Subprime Credit Population 5
Economic Vitality 23.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Housing Cost Burden 15.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 42
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, AK 30.2 Healthy —
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK 44.5 Normal +14.2
Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK 43.8 Normal +13.5
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, AK 42.9 Normal +12.6
Denali Borough, AK 19.3 Healthy -11.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
Graham County, KS 30.3 Healthy +0.1
Bear Lake County, ID 30.3 Healthy +0.1
Bath County, VA 30.1 Healthy -0.1
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy -0.2
Pratt County, KS 30.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Southeast Fairbanks 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Southeast Fairbanks 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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska?

    Southeast Fairbanks Census Area has a County Distress Index score of 30.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,747th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?

    The primary driver of distress in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 49.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Southeast Fairbanks Census Area compare to neighboring counties?

    Southeast Fairbanks Census Area (30.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK (44.5); Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK (43.8); 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 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). Southeast Fairbanks Census Area's score of 30.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Southeast Fairbanks 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 Southeast Fairbanks Census Area?

    Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska has a population of approximately 7,077 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.