Alger County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.9 | 8,757 people · 77th most distressed in Michigan
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Alger County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.9 — 2764th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Michigan, it ranks 77th 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. Alger County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 64.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 64.7
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 79
Transfer Income Dependency 89
Economic Vitality 52.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 23.9
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 54
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 6
Housing Cost Burden 20.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 55
Homeownership Rate 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. Alger County
Alger County, MI 29.9 Healthy —
Luce County, MI 50.4 Elevated +20.5
Schoolcraft County, MI 39.1 Normal +9.2
Marquette County, MI 39.0 Normal +9.1
Delta County, MI 38.0 Normal +8.1
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal +5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Alger County
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy +0.0
Treasure County, MT 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Lane County, KS 30.0 Healthy +0.1
Tucker County, WV 30.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Alger 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 Alger 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 Alger County, Michigan?

    Alger County has a County Distress Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,764th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 77th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Alger County?

    The primary driver of distress in Alger County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 64.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Alger County compare to neighboring counties?

    Alger County (29.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Luce County, MI (50.4); Schoolcraft County, MI (39.1); Marquette County, MI (39.0).

  • 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). Alger County's score of 29.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Alger 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 Alger County?

    Alger County, Michigan has a population of approximately 8,757 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.