Navajo County, Arizona

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.2 | 109,175 people · 2nd most distressed in Arizona
American Default Research

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Navajo County, AZ shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.2 — 635th 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 Arizona, it ranks 2nd of 15 counties. It scores higher 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. Navajo County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 88.0 — worse than roughly 88% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 88.0
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 89
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 99
Consumer Credit Distress 81.5
Debt in Collections 81
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 99
Credit Card Delinquency 71
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 86
Economic Vitality 81.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 96
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Housing Cost Burden 25.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 58
Legal Distress 17.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Navajo County
Navajo County, AZ 65.2 Serious —
Gila County, AZ 64.7 Elevated -0.5
Apache County, AZ 64.5 Elevated -0.6
Coconino County, AZ 63.2 Elevated -2.0
San Juan County, UT 51.9 Elevated -13.3
Graham County, AZ 50.0 Normal -15.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Navajo County
Lynchburg city, VA 65.2 Serious +0.0
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious -0.0
Rusk County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1
Houston County, AL 65.3 Serious +0.1
Brazos County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Navajo County

Find an Attorney

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

State Bar of Arizona — Lawyer Referral Service 602-252-4804

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Navajo County residents at no cost.

Community Legal Services (CLS) — Central and Northern Arizona 602-258-3434
Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA) 520-623-9465
DNA People's Legal Services 928-871-4151
Three Rivers Legal Services 602-258-3434
Community Legal Services, Inc. (800) 852-9075

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 Navajo County, Arizona?

    Navajo County has a County Distress Index score of 65.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 635th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Arizona out of 15 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Navajo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Navajo County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 88.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Navajo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Navajo County (65.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Gila County, AZ (64.7); Apache County, AZ (64.5); Coconino County, AZ (63.2).

  • 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 Serious 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). Navajo County's score of 65.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Navajo 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 Navajo County?

    Navajo County, Arizona has a population of approximately 109,175 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.