Alexandria city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.9 | 155,230 people · 86th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Alexandria city, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.9 — 1959th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 86th of 133 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. Alexandria city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 79.1 — worse than roughly 79% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 79.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 67
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 99
Economic Vitality 64.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 77
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 39.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 33.7
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 30
Structural Poverty 10.3
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Alexandria city
Alexandria city, VA 43.9 Normal —
Prince George's County, MD 73.5 Serious +29.6
District of Columbia, DC 53.5 Elevated +9.5
Fairfax County, VA 30.0 Healthy -13.9
Arlington County, VA 23.5 Healthy -20.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Alexandria city
Boone County, IL 43.9 Normal -0.0
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal -0.0
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -0.1
Rensselaer County, NY 44.0 Normal +0.1
Warren County, NJ 43.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Alexandria city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Alexandria city

Find an Attorney

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

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Alexandria city residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Alexandria city, Virginia?

    Alexandria city has a County Distress Index score of 43.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,959th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 86th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Alexandria city?

    The primary driver of distress in Alexandria city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 79.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Alexandria city compare to neighboring counties?

    Alexandria city (43.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Prince George's County, MD (73.5); District of Columbia, DC (53.5); Fairfax County, VA (30.0).

  • 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 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). Alexandria city's score of 43.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Alexandria city's CDI score?

    Alexandria city'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 Alexandria city?

    Alexandria city, Virginia has a population of approximately 155,230 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.