Kiowa County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.4 | 1,384 people · 35th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Kiowa County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.4 — 2289th 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 35th of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kiowa County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 68.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Legal Distress 58.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Structural Poverty 45.1
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 35
Consumer Credit Distress 32.5
Debt in Collections 46
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 41
Housing Cost Burden 27.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 72

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kiowa County
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal —
Otero County, CO 61.8 Elevated +23.4
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated +19.1
Crowley County, CO 54.5 Elevated +16.1
Prowers County, CO 53.7 Elevated +15.4
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +6.4
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy -8.4
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -13.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kiowa County
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal +0.0
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal -0.0
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal -0.0
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal -0.1
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kiowa 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 Kiowa 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 Kiowa County, Colorado?

    Kiowa County has a County Distress Index score of 38.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,289th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kiowa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kiowa County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Kiowa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kiowa County (38.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Otero County, CO (61.8); Bent County, CO (57.5); Crowley County, CO (54.5).

  • 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). Kiowa County's score of 38.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kiowa 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 Kiowa County?

    Kiowa County, Colorado has a population of approximately 1,384 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.