Sandoval County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.4 | 155,936 people · 24th most distressed in New Mexico
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Sandoval County, NM registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.4 — 1555th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within New Mexico, it ranks 24th of 33 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sandoval County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 61.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 61.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 73
Housing Cost Burden 57.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 76
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 6
Consumer Credit Distress 52.2
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 64
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 52
Legal Distress 39.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Structural Poverty 31.6
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 43
Transfer Income Dependency 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sandoval County
Sandoval County, NM 50.4 Elevated —
McKinley County, NM 72.7 Serious +22.3
Cibola County, NM 72.1 Serious +21.7
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated +13.4
Bernalillo County, NM 58.8 Elevated +8.4
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal -2.1
Santa Fe County, NM 45.9 Normal -4.4
Los Alamos County, NM 11.4 Healthy -39.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sandoval County
Daviess County, KY 50.4 Elevated 0.0
Lebanon County, PA 50.3 Elevated -0.1
Oneida County, NY 50.3 Elevated -0.1
Stanly County, NC 50.3 Elevated -0.1
Twin Falls County, ID 50.2 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sandoval 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 Sandoval 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 Sandoval County, New Mexico?

    Sandoval County has a County Distress Index score of 50.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,555th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sandoval County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sandoval County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 61.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Sandoval County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sandoval County (50.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: McKinley County, NM (72.7); Cibola County, NM (72.1); San Juan County, NM (63.7).

  • 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 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). Sandoval County's score of 50.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Sandoval 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 Sandoval County?

    Sandoval County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 155,936 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.