Las Animas County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Elevated · 64.6 | 14,348 people · 3rd most distressed in Colorado
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Las Animas County, CO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 64.6 — 669th 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 3rd of 64 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Las Animas County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 87.0 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 87.0
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 72.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 87
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 72.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 71
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 70
Consumer Credit Distress 54.8
Debt in Collections 58
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 81
Credit Card Delinquency 65
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 54
Legal Distress 52.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Las Animas County
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated —
Pueblo County, CO 67.7 Serious +3.1
Costilla County, CO 64.7 Elevated +0.1
Otero County, CO 61.8 Elevated -2.8
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated -7.1
Colfax County, NM 54.3 Elevated -10.3
Union County, NM 48.5 Normal -16.0
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal -16.7
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal -19.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Las Animas County
San Jacinto County, TX 64.5 Elevated -0.0
Wapello County, IA 64.5 Elevated -0.0
Claiborne County, TN 64.5 Elevated -0.0
Montgomery County, NY 64.6 Elevated +0.1
Pierce County, GA 64.7 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Las Animas County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Las Animas 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 Las Animas 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 Las Animas County, Colorado?

    Las Animas County has a County Distress Index score of 64.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 669th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Las Animas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Las Animas County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 87.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Las Animas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Las Animas County (64.6) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Pueblo County, CO (67.7); Costilla County, CO (64.7); Otero County, CO (61.8).

  • 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). Las Animas County's score of 64.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Las Animas County's CDI score?

    Las Animas 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 Las Animas County?

    Las Animas County, Colorado has a population of approximately 14,348 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.