Chaffee County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.8 | 20,617 people · 46th most distressed in Colorado
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Chaffee County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.8 — 2598th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Colorado, it ranks 46th of 64 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chaffee County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 84
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 57
Economic Vitality 63.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 69
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Structural Poverty 23.9
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Legal Distress 18.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Consumer Credit Distress 12.5
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Chaffee County
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy —
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated +17.3
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal +15.1
Lake County, CO 42.1 Normal +9.3
Gunnison County, CO 32.4 Healthy -0.4
Park County, CO 29.7 Healthy -3.0
Pitkin County, CO 27.0 Healthy -5.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chaffee County
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy -0.0
Ralls County, MO 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Carlton County, MN 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Morrow County, OR 32.7 Healthy -0.1
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chaffee 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 Chaffee 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 Chaffee County, Colorado?

    Chaffee County has a County Distress Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,598th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chaffee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Chaffee County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Chaffee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Chaffee County (32.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Fremont County, CO (50.0); Saguache County, CO (47.9); Lake County, CO (42.1).

  • 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). Chaffee County's score of 32.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Chaffee 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 Chaffee County?

    Chaffee County, Colorado has a population of approximately 20,617 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.