La Plata County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.4 | 56,407 people · 39th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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La Plata County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.4 — 2397th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Colorado, it ranks 39th of 64 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. La Plata County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 82.5 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 82.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 86
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 84
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 91
Homeownership Rate 66
Economic Vitality 60.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 4
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Consumer Credit Distress 19.3
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 19.0
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 22
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 7
Legal Distress 10.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. La Plata County
La Plata County, CO 36.4 Normal —
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated +27.3
Montezuma County, CO 53.6 Elevated +17.1
San Juan County, CO 41.3 Normal +4.8
Dolores County, CO 33.7 Healthy -2.7
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy -3.9
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy -8.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. La Plata County
Queen Anne's County, MD 36.4 Normal -0.1
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal -0.1
Midland County, MI 36.3 Normal -0.1
Merrimack County, NH 36.2 Normal -0.2
Washington County, PA 36.2 Normal -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for La Plata County as a CSV file.

Find Help in La Plata County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near La Plata County.

HOMESFUND
Durango
970-259-1418 Website
Pre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
HOUSING SOLUTIONS FOR THE SOUTHWEST
Durango
970-259-1086
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementRental Help

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 La Plata 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 La Plata County, Colorado?

    La Plata County has a County Distress Index score of 36.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,397th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in La Plata County?

    The primary driver of distress in La Plata County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 82.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does La Plata County compare to neighboring counties?

    La Plata County (36.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: San Juan County, NM (63.7); Montezuma County, CO (53.6); San Juan County, CO (41.3).

  • 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). La Plata County's score of 36.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power La Plata County's CDI score?

    La Plata 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 La Plata County?

    La Plata County, Colorado has a population of approximately 56,407 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.