Rio Grande County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 11,188 people · 19th most distressed in Colorado
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Rio Grande County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1715th 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 19th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rio Grande County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.3
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 77
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 60
Economic Vitality 54.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Housing Cost Burden 52.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 76
Legal Distress 39.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 39.1
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Grande County
Rio Grande County, CO 48.0 Normal —
Alamosa County, CO 58.7 Elevated +10.7
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal -0.1
Mineral County, CO 46.9 Normal -1.1
Conejos County, CO 46.4 Normal -1.6
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy -15.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Grande County
Albany County, WY 48.0 Normal -0.0
Towns County, GA 48.0 Normal +0.1
Cherokee County, NC 48.0 Normal +0.1
Alleghany County, VA 47.9 Normal -0.1
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rio Grande 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 Grande 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 Grande County, Colorado?

    Rio Grande County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,715th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rio Grande County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rio Grande County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Rio Grande County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rio Grande County (48.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Alamosa County, CO (58.7); Saguache County, CO (47.9); Mineral County, CO (46.9).

  • 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 Normal 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 Grande County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Rio Grande 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 Grande County?

    Rio Grande County, Colorado has a population of approximately 11,188 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.