Baca County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.6 | 3,344 people · 25th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Baca County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.6 — 1868th 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 Colorado, it ranks 25th of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Baca County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.3
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 87
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 89
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Economic Vitality 66.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 78
Business Formation Rate 14
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Legal Distress 42.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Housing Cost Burden 38.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 63
Consumer Credit Distress 37.2
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 88
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Baca County
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal —
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated +19.0
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated +11.9
Prowers County, CO 53.7 Elevated +8.1
Union County, NM 48.5 Normal +3.0
Cimarron County, OK 39.2 Normal -6.4
Morton County, KS 28.9 Healthy -16.6
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy -17.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Baca County
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +0.1
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal -0.1
Crane County, TX 45.7 Normal +0.1
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal -0.1
Trimble County, KY 45.9 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Baca 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 Baca 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 Baca County, Colorado?

    Baca County has a County Distress Index score of 45.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,868th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Baca County?

    The primary driver of distress in Baca County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Baca County compare to neighboring counties?

    Baca County (45.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Las Animas County, CO (64.6); Bent County, CO (57.5); Prowers County, CO (53.7).

  • 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). Baca County's score of 45.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Baca 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 Baca County?

    Baca County, Colorado has a population of approximately 3,344 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.