Teller County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.4 | 24,617 people · 33rd most distressed in Colorado
American Default Research

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Teller County, CO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.4 — 2229th 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 33rd of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Teller County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 79.9 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 79.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 92
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 10
Legal Distress 68.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Economic Vitality 61.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 43
Business Formation Rate 3
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 24.3
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 35
Consumer Credit Distress 15.9
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Teller County
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal —
El Paso County, CO 51.0 Elevated +11.6
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated +10.6
Jefferson County, CO 37.7 Normal -1.6
Park County, CO 29.7 Healthy -9.7
Douglas County, CO 28.6 Healthy -10.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Teller County
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +0.0
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal -0.0
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +0.0
Clinton County, MO 39.4 Normal +0.0
Lake County, MT 39.4 Normal +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Teller 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 Teller 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 Teller County, Colorado?

    Teller County has a County Distress Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,229th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Teller County?

    The primary driver of distress in Teller County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 79.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Teller County compare to neighboring counties?

    Teller County (39.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: El Paso County, CO (51.0); Fremont County, CO (50.0); Jefferson County, CO (37.7).

  • 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). Teller County's score of 39.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Teller 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 Teller County?

    Teller County, Colorado has a population of approximately 24,617 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.