Alpena County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.4 | 28,904 people · 62nd most distressed in Michigan
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Alpena County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.4 — 2350th 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 62nd of 83 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Alpena County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 78.2 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 78.2
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 78
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 88
Transfer Income Dependency 90
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 89
Housing Cost Burden 35.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 28.0
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 17
Legal Distress 11.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Alpena County
Alpena County, MI 37.4 Normal —
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated +19.6
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated +19.4
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy -2.7
Presque Isle County, MI 30.5 Healthy -6.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Alpena County
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal +0.0
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal +0.1
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal +0.1
Ashe County, NC 37.2 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Alpena County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Alpena County.

NORTHEAST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY, INC.
Alpena
989-358-4600 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Michigan →

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 Alpena 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 Alpena County, Michigan?

    Alpena County has a County Distress Index score of 37.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,350th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Alpena County?

    The primary driver of distress in Alpena County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 78.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Alpena County compare to neighboring counties?

    Alpena County (37.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Oscoda County, MI (57.0); Montmorency County, MI (56.8); Alcona County, MI (34.7).

  • 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). Alpena County's score of 37.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Alpena 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 Alpena County?

    Alpena County, Michigan has a population of approximately 28,904 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.