Copper River Census Area, AK: income, rent and loan options

Who lives in Copper River Census Area

Roughly 2,626 residents live in Copper River Census Area, Alaska, 22nd by population among the state's 30 counties and county equivalents. It covers 24,647 square miles of land, with fewer than one resident per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Copper River Census Area is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 20 places in the county (0 incorporated, 20 census-designated); the largest is Glennallen, with about 450 residents, or 17% of the county. Because Copper River Census Area is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.

Work, industries and travel time in Copper River Census Area

The biggest employer of Copper River Census Area residents, by industry, is public administration at 25% of workers, followed by education and health care (22%). Public administration stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 12% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.8% in Copper River Census Area. 18% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. 6.0% of households have no vehicle.

Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Copper River Census Area should have bank statements and tax returns ready.

Income in Copper River Census Area compared with Alaska

Half of Copper River Census Area households take in less than $79,250 a year and half take in more, 15% below the Alaska median of $92,788. Only 17 Alaska counties post a higher median.

Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 42% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.7% of Copper River Census Area residents in poverty, against 10.1% across Alaska. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.407 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Copper River Census Area median.

Housing costs in Copper River Census Area

Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,089 in Copper River Census Area versus $1,419 statewide. By the Census definition, 25% of Copper River Census Area renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $292,800, about 3.7 times the median household income. Owners occupy 69% of homes. The median year built is 1985.

Towns and communities in Copper River Census Area

The table lists the 14 largest of 20 Census places in Copper River Census Area, by population. Together all 20 hold about 2,599 people, so roughly 1% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Copper River Census Area communities, or between them? This is your local guide.

Neighboring counties at a glance

The six counties whose centers lie closest to Copper River Census Area's, from 128 to 199 miles away. Income ranges from $73,882 in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area to $103,284 in Anchorage Municipality; 5 of these neighbors top Copper River Census Area's median.

Budget math at the Copper River Census Area median

Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Copper River Census Area household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.

• Monthly gross at the median, Copper River Census Area: $6,604
• Less median rent of $1,089, which is 16% of it
• At 36%, room after rent is $1,288 a month
• With a 43% ceiling, about $1,751 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments

If your rent is above $1,089, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.

Reading the Copper River Census Area data as a borrower

Based on the Copper River Census Area data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.

• Hospital bills in Copper River Census Area. For the 13% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
• Keeping the car running. At 18% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Copper River Census Area emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
• Retirees. At a median age of 48.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
• Strong incomes, long terms. 42% of Copper River Census Area households earn $100,000+. The risk is a term that outlasts the need.

More Copper River Census Area figures

College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 13.4%, against 11.0% for Alaska.

Alaska rules that apply in Copper River Census Area

Consumer lenders serving Copper River Census Area are licensed by the state, not the county; in Alaska that is the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Alaska state guide for the statewide picture.

Four steps for Copper River Census Area borrowers

Four checks before you sign anything:

• Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
• Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
• Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
• Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.

Related local guides

The Alaska guide covers the whole state.

• Alaska state guide