Cheyenne County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.9 | 1,727 people · 51st most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Cheyenne County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.9 — 2760th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Colorado, it ranks 51st of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cheyenne County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 82.2 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 82.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 82
Structural Poverty 40.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Housing Cost Burden 35.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 58
Economic Vitality 27.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy —
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +14.8
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +8.6
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal +8.4
Wallace County, KS 31.9 Healthy +2.0
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Alger County, MI 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Lane County, KS 30.0 Healthy +0.0
Tucker County, WV 30.0 Healthy +0.1
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Franklin County, IA 30.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County, Colorado?

    Cheyenne County has a County Distress Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,760th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cheyenne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cheyenne County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 82.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Cheyenne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cheyenne County (29.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Lincoln County, CO (44.7); Kit Carson County, CO (38.5); Kiowa County, CO (38.4).

  • 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). Cheyenne County's score of 29.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County?

    Cheyenne County, Colorado has a population of approximately 1,727 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.