Colfax County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.3 | 12,255 people · 18th most distressed in New Mexico
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Colfax County, NM registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.3 — 1326th 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 New Mexico, it ranks 18th of 33 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

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

Structural Poverty Primary driver 73.3
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 77
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Economic Vitality 63.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 62
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 92
Consumer Credit Distress 52.0
Debt in Collections 58
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 72
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 58
Legal Distress 48.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Housing Cost Burden 45.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 62

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Colfax County
Colfax County, NM 54.3 Elevated —
Costilla County, CO 64.7 Elevated +10.4
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated +10.3
Taos County, NM 50.6 Elevated -3.7
Union County, NM 48.5 Normal -5.7
Harding County, NM 43.4 Normal -10.9
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal -13.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Colfax County
Mecosta County, MI 54.3 Elevated +0.0
Dickenson County, VA 54.3 Elevated -0.0
Bath County, KY 54.3 Elevated +0.0
Baxter County, AR 54.2 Elevated -0.1
Fulton County, IN 54.4 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Colfax County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Referral Program offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of New Mexico Lawyer Referral Program 505-797-6000

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Colfax County residents at no cost.

New Mexico Legal Aid 1-866-416-1922
Law Access New Mexico 1-800-340-9771
DNA-Peoples Legal Services, Inc. (928) 871-4151

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 Colfax County, New Mexico?

    Colfax County has a County Distress Index score of 54.3 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,326th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Colfax County?

    The primary driver of distress in Colfax County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 73.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Colfax County compare to neighboring counties?

    Colfax County (54.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Costilla County, CO (64.7); Las Animas County, CO (64.6); Taos County, NM (50.6).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Colfax County's score of 54.3 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Colfax 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 Colfax County?

    Colfax County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 12,255 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.