Pueblo County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Serious · 67.7 | 169,422 people · 1st most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Pueblo County, CO shows significant household financial distress with a score of 67.7 — 512th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Colorado, it ranks 1st of 64 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pueblo County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 88.6 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 88.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 91
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 77
Legal Distress 73.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Structural Poverty 68.5
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 75
Economic Vitality 62.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 73
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 92
Consumer Credit Distress 57.7
Debt in Collections 63
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 81
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 67

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pueblo County
Pueblo County, CO 67.7 Serious —
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated -3.1
Otero County, CO 61.8 Elevated -5.9
Crowley County, CO 54.5 Elevated -13.2
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated -16.7
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated -17.7
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal -19.8
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal -22.9
Custer County, CO 26.7 Healthy -41.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pueblo County
Nash County, NC 67.7 Serious +0.0
St. Francois County, MO 67.6 Serious -0.1
Hoke County, NC 67.9 Serious +0.2
Chaves County, NM 67.9 Serious +0.2
Columbus County, NC 67.9 Serious +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pueblo County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Pueblo County.

NEIGHBORWORKS SOUTHERN COLORADO
Pueblo
719-544-8078 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Colorado →

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 Pueblo 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Colorado →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Pueblo County, Colorado?

    Pueblo County has a County Distress Index score of 67.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 512th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 1st in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pueblo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pueblo County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 88.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Pueblo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pueblo County (67.7) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Las Animas County, CO (64.6); Otero County, CO (61.8); Crowley County, CO (54.5).

  • 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 Serious 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). Pueblo County's score of 67.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Pueblo 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 Pueblo County?

    Pueblo County, Colorado has a population of approximately 169,422 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.