Rio Blanco County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.2 | 6,569 people · 63rd most distressed in Colorado
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Rio Blanco County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.2 — 2963rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Colorado, it ranks 63rd of 64 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rio Blanco County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 37.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 37.0
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Housing Cost Burden 27.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 42
Legal Distress 22.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 22.6
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 62
Subprime Credit Population 36
Economic Vitality 17.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 90

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Blanco County
Rio Blanco County, CO 25.2 Healthy —
Moffat County, CO 42.2 Normal +17.0
Uintah County, UT 41.3 Normal +16.1
Garfield County, CO 38.3 Normal +13.1
Routt County, CO 28.5 Healthy +3.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Blanco County
Jackson County, CO 25.1 Healthy -0.1
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy +0.1
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy -0.1
Daggett County, UT 25.3 Healthy +0.1
Rock County, NE 25.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Rio Blanco County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco County, Colorado?

    Rio Blanco County has a County Distress Index score of 25.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,963rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rio Blanco County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rio Blanco County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 37.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Rio Blanco County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rio Blanco County (25.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Moffat County, CO (42.2); Uintah County, UT (41.3); Garfield County, CO (38.3).

  • 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). Rio Blanco County's score of 25.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Rio Blanco County's CDI score?

    Rio Blanco 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 Rio Blanco County?

    Rio Blanco County, Colorado has a population of approximately 6,569 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.