Lincoln County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.7 | 5,480 people · 26th most distressed in Colorado
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Lincoln County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.7 — 1908th 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 26th of 64 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lincoln County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.0
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 92
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 59
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Housing Cost Burden 64.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 66
Economic Vitality 39.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 14
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Consumer Credit Distress 33.9
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 66
Legal Distress 21.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal —
Pueblo County, CO 67.7 Serious +22.9
Crowley County, CO 54.5 Elevated +9.7
Arapahoe County, CO 52.7 Elevated +7.9
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated +6.2
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal -6.2
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal -6.4
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy -10.4
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy -14.8
Elbert County, CO 26.4 Healthy -18.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Newton County, AR 44.7 Normal -0.0
Loving County, TX 44.8 Normal +0.0
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK 44.7 Normal -0.0
Presidio County, TX 44.7 Normal -0.1
Brewster County, TX 44.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, Colorado?

    Lincoln County has a County Distress Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,908th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lincoln County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln County (44.7) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Pueblo County, CO (67.7); Crowley County, CO (54.5); Arapahoe County, CO (52.7).

  • 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). Lincoln County's score of 44.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?

    Lincoln County, Colorado has a population of approximately 5,480 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.