Ouray County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.4 | 5,176 people · 50th most distressed in Colorado
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Ouray County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.4 — 2736th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Colorado, it ranks 50th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ouray County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 61.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 61.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 93
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Housing Cost Burden 61.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 29
Legal Distress 23.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Structural Poverty 18.7
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 13
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Consumer Credit Distress 14.4
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 86
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ouray County
Ouray County, CO 30.4 Healthy —
Montrose County, CO 41.5 Normal +11.0
San Juan County, CO 41.3 Normal +10.8
Gunnison County, CO 32.4 Healthy +1.9
San Miguel County, CO 29.6 Healthy -0.8
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy -2.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ouray County
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy +0.0
Sioux County, NE 30.4 Healthy -0.0
Washakie County, WY 30.4 Healthy -0.0
Pratt County, KS 30.4 Healthy -0.1
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ouray 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 Ouray 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 Ouray County, Colorado?

    Ouray County has a County Distress Index score of 30.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,736th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ouray County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ouray County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 61.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Ouray County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ouray County (30.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Montrose County, CO (41.5); San Juan County, CO (41.3); Gunnison County, CO (32.4).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Ouray County's score of 30.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ouray 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 Ouray County?

    Ouray County, Colorado has a population of approximately 5,176 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.