Archuleta County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 14,189 people · 47th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Archuleta County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2615th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Colorado, it ranks 47th of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Archuleta County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 87
Rent-to-Income Ratio 55
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 53.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 33
Structural Poverty 43.4
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 45
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Legal Distress 19.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 15.5
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 74
Subprime Credit Population 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Archuleta County
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy —
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated +31.2
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal +15.7
Rio Grande County, CO 48.0 Normal +15.5
Mineral County, CO 46.9 Normal +14.4
Conejos County, CO 46.4 Normal +13.9
La Plata County, CO 36.4 Normal +3.9
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy -4.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Archuleta County
Currituck County, NC 32.5 Healthy 0.0
Hood River County, OR 32.5 Healthy 0.0
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Archuleta County

Find an Attorney

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Archuleta County residents at no cost.

Colorado Legal Services 303-837-1313 (Denver); 1-866-529-6257 (statewide)
Colorado Volunteer Lawyer Resource (CVLR) 303-722-0300
Colorado Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 303-831-8000 (Denver); 1-800-332-6736 (statewide)

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 Archuleta County, Colorado?

    Archuleta County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,615th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Archuleta County?

    The primary driver of distress in Archuleta County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Archuleta County compare to neighboring counties?

    Archuleta County (32.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: San Juan County, NM (63.7); Rio Arriba County, NM (48.2); Rio Grande County, CO (48.0).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Archuleta County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Archuleta 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 Archuleta County?

    Archuleta County, Colorado has a population of approximately 14,189 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.