Kit Carson County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.5 | 6,994 people · 34th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Kit Carson County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.5 — 2281st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Colorado, it ranks 34th 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. Kit Carson County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 57.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 57.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 72
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Housing Cost Burden 53.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 77
Structural Poverty 53.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Legal Distress 43.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 22.6
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 43

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kit Carson County
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal —
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +6.2
Sherman County, KS 41.3 Normal +2.8
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy -4.0
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy -4.1
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy -4.8
Wallace County, KS 31.9 Healthy -6.6
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy -8.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kit Carson County
Petersburg Borough, AK 38.6 Normal +0.1
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal -0.1
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal +0.1
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal -0.1
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Kit Carson County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson County, Colorado?

    Kit Carson County has a County Distress Index score of 38.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,281st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kit Carson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kit Carson County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 57.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Kit Carson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kit Carson County (38.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lincoln County, CO (44.7); Sherman County, KS (41.3); Cheyenne County, KS (34.5).

  • 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). Kit Carson County's score of 38.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Kit Carson County's CDI score?

    Kit Carson 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 Kit Carson County?

    Kit Carson County, Colorado has a population of approximately 6,994 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.