Saguache County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.9 | 6,688 people · 21st most distressed in Colorado
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Saguache County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.9 — 1723rd 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 21st of 64 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Saguache County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 75.9 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 75.9
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 91
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Housing Cost Burden 69.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 57
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 46
Economic Vitality 60.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Legal Distress 46.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 47
Consumer Credit Distress 27.5
Debt in Collections 40
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 71
Subprime Credit Population 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Saguache County
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal —
Alamosa County, CO 58.7 Elevated +10.8
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated +2.1
Rio Grande County, CO 48.0 Normal +0.1
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal +0.0
Mineral County, CO 46.9 Normal -1.0
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy -15.1
Gunnison County, CO 32.4 Healthy -15.5
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy -19.8
Custer County, CO 26.7 Healthy -21.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Saguache County
Irion County, TX 47.9 Normal 0.0
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal +0.0
Mahnomen County, MN 48.0 Normal +0.1
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal +0.2
Mineral County, MT 47.7 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Saguache 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 Saguache 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 Saguache County, Colorado?

    Saguache County has a County Distress Index score of 47.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,723rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Saguache County?

    The primary driver of distress in Saguache County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 75.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Saguache County compare to neighboring counties?

    Saguache County (47.9) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Alamosa County, CO (58.7); Fremont County, CO (50.0); Rio Grande County, CO (48.0).

  • 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). Saguache County's score of 47.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Saguache 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 Saguache County?

    Saguache County, Colorado has a population of approximately 6,688 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.