Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.2 | 39,876 people · 28th most distressed in New Mexico
American Default Research

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Rio Arriba County, NM falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.2 — 1698th 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 28th of 33 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rio Arriba County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.1
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 80
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 85
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Consumer Credit Distress 59.8
Debt in Collections 70
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 81
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 53
Economic Vitality 57.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 64
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 64
Housing Cost Burden 22.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 20
Homeownership Rate 29
Legal Distress 4.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Arriba County
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal —
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated +15.5
Taos County, NM 50.6 Elevated +2.4
Sandoval County, NM 50.4 Elevated +2.1
Conejos County, CO 46.4 Normal -1.8
Santa Fe County, NM 45.9 Normal -2.3
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal -7.4
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy -15.7
Los Alamos County, NM 11.4 Healthy -36.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rio Arriba County
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal 0.0
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal -0.0
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, WV 48.1 Normal -0.1
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Rio Arriba County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County, New Mexico?

    Rio Arriba County has a County Distress Index score of 48.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,698th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rio Arriba County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rio Arriba County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Rio Arriba County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rio Arriba County (48.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: San Juan County, NM (63.7); Taos County, NM (50.6); Sandoval County, NM (50.4).

  • 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). Rio Arriba County's score of 48.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Rio Arriba County's CDI score?

    Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County?

    Rio Arriba County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 39,876 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.