Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.6 | 2,064 people · 23rd most distressed in Alaska
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Wrangell City and Borough, AK ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.6 — 2674th 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 23rd of 30 counties. It scores lower 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. Wrangell City and Borough's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.4
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 36
Disability Rate 78
Transfer Income Dependency 78
Economic Vitality 57.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Housing Cost Burden 27.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 93
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wrangell City and Borough
Wrangell City and Borough, AK 31.6 Healthy —
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK 44.7 Normal +13.1
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK 41.4 Normal +9.9
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal +7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wrangell City and Borough
Ferry County, WA 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Wayne County, NE 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy +0.1
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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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 Wrangell 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 Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska?

    Wrangell City and Borough has a County Distress Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,674th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Alaska out of 30 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wrangell City and Borough?

    The primary driver of distress in Wrangell City and Borough is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

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

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

  • 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 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). Wrangell City and Borough's score of 31.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wrangell 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 Wrangell City and Borough?

    Wrangell City and Borough, Alaska has a population of approximately 2,064 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.