Harding County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.4 | 624 people · 30th most distressed in New Mexico
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Harding County, NM falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.4 — 1990th 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 30th of 33 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Harding County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.6
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 62
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 84
Disability Rate 83
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Economic Vitality 59.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 63
Consumer Credit Distress 51.0
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 52
Credit Card Delinquency 55
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 31
Legal Distress 17.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Housing Cost Burden 12.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harding County
Harding County, NM 43.4 Normal —
San Miguel County, NM 58.0 Elevated +14.7
Colfax County, NM 54.3 Elevated +10.9
Quay County, NM 53.6 Elevated +10.2
Union County, NM 48.5 Normal +5.1
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal -2.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harding County
Glasscock County, TX 43.4 Normal 0.0
Doddridge County, WV 43.5 Normal +0.1
Decatur County, IA 43.3 Normal -0.1
Carroll County, MO 43.2 Normal -0.2
Caldwell County, MO 43.1 Normal -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harding 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 Harding 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 Harding County, New Mexico?

    Harding County has a County Distress Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,990th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harding County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harding County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Harding County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harding County (43.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: San Miguel County, NM (58.0); Colfax County, NM (54.3); Quay County, NM (53.6).

  • 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 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). Harding County's score of 43.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Harding 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 Harding County?

    Harding County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 624 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.