Gilpin County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.5 | 5,926 people · 40th most distressed in Colorado
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Gilpin County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.5 — 2450th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Colorado, it ranks 40th of 64 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gilpin County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 76.6 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 76.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Housing Cost Burden 76.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 27
Homeownership Rate 21
Legal Distress 66.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Structural Poverty 14.3
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 7
Consumer Credit Distress 9.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gilpin County
Gilpin County, CO 35.5 Normal —
Jefferson County, CO 37.7 Normal +2.2
Clear Creek County, CO 37.5 Normal +1.9
Boulder County, CO 34.0 Healthy -1.5
Grand County, CO 31.7 Healthy -3.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gilpin County
Morris County, KS 35.5 Normal -0.0
Garfield County, NE 35.6 Normal +0.1
Grand Isle County, VT 35.4 Normal -0.1
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal +0.1
Essex County, VT 35.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gilpin 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 Gilpin 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 Gilpin County, Colorado?

    Gilpin County has a County Distress Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,450th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gilpin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gilpin County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 76.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Gilpin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gilpin County (35.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, CO (37.7); Clear Creek County, CO (37.5); Boulder County, CO (34.0).

  • 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). Gilpin County's score of 35.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gilpin 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 Gilpin County?

    Gilpin County, Colorado has a population of approximately 5,926 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.