Alaska Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 30 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Alaska? See your options under Alaska law →
Alaska ranks #40 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Alaska Compare to the National Average?
Alaska is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.8% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 2.9%, and total debt per capita at $69,460.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Alaska has risen 3.2pp and total household debt has grown 16.5%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Alaska
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Alaska has eased from the 33rd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 37th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 38.2 to 33.7 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Alaska's State Distress Index of 29.3 (low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Alaska vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Alaska vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Alaska (#40) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.6% | 9.8% | +3.2pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.5% | 2.9% | +0.4pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.60% | 0.72% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $59,630 | $69,460 | +16.5% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $4,440 | $5,250 | +18.2% | $4,350 |
Alaska Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Alaska primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Alaska has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial trustee's sale under AS 34.20.070 et seq., the standard and most common path for residential foreclosures using deeds of trust; and (2) judicial foreclosure under AS 09.45.170 et seq.
Full Alaska foreclosure law guide →State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Alaska's credit card delinquency of 9.8% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. With 2 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and a Distress Index of 29.3 (low state distress), the pressure on Alaska households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Alaska on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Alaska's 30 counties average 40.4 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Arctic Borough | 62.1 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area | 58.8 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area | 57.8 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Bethel Census Area | 57.6 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Kusilvak Census Area | 56.0 | moderate county distress | Labor |
Northwest Arctic Borough ranks #926 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denali Borough | 10.1 | very low county distress | Delinquency |
| Juneau City and Borough | 21.0 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Sitka City and Borough | 24.4 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kodiak Island Borough | 25.9 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Chugach Census Area | 30.2 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
The gap between Alaska's most and least distressed counties is 52.0 points — Northwest Arctic Borough (62.1, moderate-high county distress) vs. Denali Borough (10.1, very low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 30 Alaska counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Alaska
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 528 mortgage complaints from Alaska since 2012 — 72.0 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Alaska ranks #38 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 30 | 37 | 48 | 35 | 35 | 42 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Alaska
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Alaska's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Alaska
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 11.5% of Alaska residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 12.1% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 32.4% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Alaska
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Alaska
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Alaska scores 47.4 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #27 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Alaska?
The credit card delinquency rate in Alaska is 9.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #40 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.6% in 2019.
How does Alaska's household debt compare to the national average?
Alaska residents carry $69,460 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 16.5% since 2019. Alaska ranks #14 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Alaska?
Auto loan delinquency in Alaska stands at 2.9% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #48 nationally. The rate has risen from 2.5% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Alaska use?
Alaska primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Alaska foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Alaska above or below the national average for financial distress?
Alaska scores 29.3 on the State Distress Index (low state distress), ranking #40 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 20.7 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Alaska?
The CFPB has received 528 mortgage complaints from Alaska since 2012, a rate of 72.0 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #38 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.7% of Alaska complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Alaska?
Alaska had 238 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 32.4 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 72.3% and Chapter 13 for 26.1%. Filings changed +10.2% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Alaska have debt in collections?
11.5% of individuals in Alaska have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 12.1% of Alaska residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Alaska?
68,683 residents of Alaska receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.4% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #31 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed +8.2% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.8%.
How strong is Alaska's financial safety net?
Alaska scores 47.4 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #27 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (21.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.4%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Alaska counties have the highest financial distress?
Northwest Arctic Borough is the most distressed county in Alaska with a County Distress Index score of 62.1 · moderate-high county distress, ranking #926 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area (58.8 · moderate county distress), Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (57.8 · moderate county distress), Bethel Census Area (57.6 · moderate county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Denali Borough is the least distressed at 10.1 · very low county distress. See all 30 counties at /counties/alaska/.
How long can foreclosure take in Alaska?
Alaska uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: You can cure the default and reinstate the loan at any time before the trustee's…. The homestead exemption is $72,900. Full details at /help/foreclosure/alaska/.
Where does Alaska rank for financial distress?
Alaska scores 29.3 on the State Distress Index (low state distress), ranking #40 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #27 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Alaska Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.