Fremont County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.0 | 50,318 people · 15th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Fremont County, CO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.0 — 1577th 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 15th of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fremont County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 76.5 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 76.5
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 80
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 62
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Economic Vitality 62.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Housing Cost Burden 57.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 59
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 40
Legal Distress 51.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Consumer Credit Distress 36.3
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fremont County
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated —
Pueblo County, CO 67.7 Serious +17.7
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated +1.0
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal -2.1
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal -10.6
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy -17.3
Park County, CO 29.7 Healthy -20.3
Custer County, CO 26.7 Healthy -23.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fremont County
Riley County, KS 50.0 Elevated -0.0
St. Lawrence County, NY 50.0 Elevated +0.0
Haywood County, NC 50.0 Normal -0.0
Sumner County, TN 50.0 Elevated +0.0
Pender County, NC 50.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fremont County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Fremont County.

UPPER ARKANSAS AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
Canon City
719-269-7687 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Colorado →

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 Fremont 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Colorado →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Fremont County, Colorado?

    Fremont County has a County Distress Index score of 50.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,577th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fremont County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fremont County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 76.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Fremont County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fremont County (50.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Pueblo County, CO (67.7); El Paso County, CO (51.0); Saguache County, CO (47.9).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Fremont County's score of 50.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Fremont 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 Fremont County?

    Fremont County, Colorado has a population of approximately 50,318 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.