Otero County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Elevated · 61.8 | 18,136 people · 4th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Otero County, CO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 61.8 — 833rd 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 4th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Otero County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 86.4 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 86.4
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 86
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 85
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 94
Housing Cost Burden 76.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 81
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 74
Economic Vitality 54.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Consumer Credit Distress 51.2
Debt in Collections 57
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 44
Credit Card Delinquency 72
Uninsured Rate 41
Subprime Credit Population 67
Legal Distress 50.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Otero County
Otero County, CO 61.8 Elevated —
Pueblo County, CO 67.7 Serious +5.9
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated +2.8
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated -4.3
Crowley County, CO 54.5 Elevated -7.3
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal -23.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Otero County
Randolph County, MO 61.8 Elevated -0.0
Madison County, GA 61.8 Elevated -0.0
Fayette County, AL 61.9 Elevated +0.1
Mecklenburg County, VA 61.9 Elevated +0.1
Jackson Parish, LA 61.6 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Otero 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 Otero 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 Otero County, Colorado?

    Otero County has a County Distress Index score of 61.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 833rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Otero County?

    The primary driver of distress in Otero County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 86.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Otero County compare to neighboring counties?

    Otero County (61.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pueblo County, CO (67.7); Las Animas County, CO (64.6); Bent County, CO (57.5).

  • 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 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). Otero County's score of 61.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Otero 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 Otero County?

    Otero County, Colorado has a population of approximately 18,136 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.