Park County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.7 | 18,117 people · 53rd most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Park County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.7 — 2775th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Colorado, it ranks 53rd of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Park County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 72.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 72.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 79
Housing Cost Burden 46.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 62
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 30.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 17.9
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 11
Structural Poverty 15.0
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Park County
Park County, CO 29.7 Healthy —
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated +20.3
Lake County, CO 42.1 Normal +12.4
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal +9.7
Jefferson County, CO 37.7 Normal +8.0
Clear Creek County, CO 37.5 Normal +7.8
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy +3.0
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy -1.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Park County
Guthrie County, IA 29.8 Healthy +0.0
Koochiching County, MN 29.9 Healthy +0.2
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy +0.2
Floyd County, VA 29.9 Healthy +0.2
Juneau City and Borough, AK 29.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Park 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 Park 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 Park County, Colorado?

    Park County has a County Distress Index score of 29.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,775th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Park County?

    The primary driver of distress in Park County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 72.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Park County compare to neighboring counties?

    Park County (29.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Fremont County, CO (50.0); Lake County, CO (42.1); Teller County, CO (39.4).

  • 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). Park County's score of 29.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Park 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 Park County?

    Park County, Colorado has a population of approximately 18,117 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.