Elbert County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.4 | 28,806 people · 62nd most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Elbert County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.4 — 2914th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Colorado, it ranks 62nd of 64 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Elbert County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 63.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 97
Rent-to-Income Ratio 43
Business Formation Rate 3
House Price Change (YoY) 75
Housing Cost Burden 36.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 35
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 1
Consumer Credit Distress 14.8
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 13
Structural Poverty 4.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Elbert County
Elbert County, CO 26.4 Healthy —
Arapahoe County, CO 52.7 Elevated +26.3
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated +24.5
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +18.3
Douglas County, CO 28.6 Healthy +2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Elbert County
Lincoln County, WA 26.4 Healthy -0.0
Madison County, VA 26.4 Healthy -0.0
Spencer County, IN 26.5 Healthy +0.1
Piatt County, IL 26.3 Healthy -0.1
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Elbert 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 Elbert 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 Elbert County, Colorado?

    Elbert County has a County Distress Index score of 26.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,914th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Elbert County?

    The primary driver of distress in Elbert County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Elbert County compare to neighboring counties?

    Elbert County (26.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Arapahoe County, CO (52.7); El Paso County, CO (51.0); Lincoln County, CO (44.7).

  • 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 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). Elbert County's score of 26.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Elbert 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 Elbert County?

    Elbert County, Colorado has a population of approximately 28,806 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.