Alcona County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.7 | 10,489 people · 68th most distressed in Michigan
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Alcona County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.7 — 2489th 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 Michigan, it ranks 68th of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Alcona County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 85.0 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 85.0
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 62.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Housing Cost Burden 35.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 33.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Consumer Credit Distress 14.6
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Alcona County
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy —
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated +22.3
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated +22.0
Ogemaw County, MI 54.9 Elevated +20.2
Iosco County, MI 43.2 Normal +8.5
Alpena County, MI 37.4 Normal +2.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Alcona County
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Lincoln County, WI 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy -0.0
Langlade County, WI 34.8 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Alcona County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Alcona County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Alcona County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Alcona County, Michigan?

    Alcona County has a County Distress Index score of 34.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,489th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Alcona County?

    The primary driver of distress in Alcona County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 85.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Alcona County compare to neighboring counties?

    Alcona County (34.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Oscoda County, MI (57.0); Montmorency County, MI (56.8); Ogemaw County, MI (54.9).

  • 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). Alcona County's score of 34.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Alcona County's CDI score?

    Alcona County'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 Alcona County?

    Alcona County, Michigan has a population of approximately 10,489 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.