Washington County, Colorado

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.4 | 4,855 people · 42nd most distressed in Colorado
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Washington County, CO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.4 — 2508th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Colorado, it ranks 42nd of 64 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 78
Business Formation Rate 36
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Structural Poverty 53.0
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Legal Distress 48.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Housing Cost Burden 31.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 33
Homeownership Rate 63
Consumer Credit Distress 20.9
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy —
Adams County, CO 60.3 Elevated +25.9
Arapahoe County, CO 52.7 Elevated +18.3
Morgan County, CO 48.9 Normal +14.5
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +10.4
Logan County, CO 44.4 Normal +10.0
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +4.1
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy -0.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy -0.0
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy +0.0
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy +0.1
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy -0.2
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, Colorado?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 34.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,508th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Colorado out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (34.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Adams County, CO (60.3); Arapahoe County, CO (52.7); Morgan County, CO (48.9).

  • 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 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). Washington County's score of 34.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Colorado has a population of approximately 4,855 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.