Prowers County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.7 | 11,751 people · 10th most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Prowers County, CO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.7 — 1358th 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 10th of 64 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Prowers County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 73.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 73.8
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 86
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 79
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Housing Cost Burden 69.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 69
Economic Vitality 61.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Consumer Credit Distress 43.2
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 74
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 59
Legal Distress 28.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Prowers County
Prowers County, CO 53.7 Elevated —
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated +3.8
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal -8.1
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal -15.4
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy -25.7
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -28.3
Hamilton County, KS 23.6 Healthy -30.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Prowers County
Upshur County, WV 53.7 Elevated +0.0
Pendleton County, KY 53.7 Elevated -0.0
Vinton County, OH 53.7 Elevated +0.0
Newton County, IN 53.8 Elevated +0.0
Dade County, GA 53.8 Elevated +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Prowers 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 Prowers 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 Prowers County, Colorado?

    Prowers County has a County Distress Index score of 53.7 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,358th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Prowers County?

    The primary driver of distress in Prowers County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 73.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Prowers County compare to neighboring counties?

    Prowers County (53.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bent County, CO (57.5); Baca County, CO (45.6); Kiowa County, CO (38.4).

  • 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 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). Prowers County's score of 53.7 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Prowers 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 Prowers County?

    Prowers County, Colorado has a population of approximately 11,751 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.