Santa Fe County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.9 | 155,956 people · 29th most distressed in New Mexico
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Santa Fe County, NM falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.9 — 1851st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within New Mexico, it ranks 29th of 33 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Santa Fe County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.6 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 68
Economic Vitality 73.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 84
Business Formation Rate 15
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Consumer Credit Distress 36.0
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 63
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 19
Structural Poverty 29.4
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Legal Distress 16.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Santa Fe County
Santa Fe County, NM 45.9 Normal —
Bernalillo County, NM 58.8 Elevated +12.9
San Miguel County, NM 58.0 Elevated +12.1
Torrance County, NM 57.5 Elevated +11.6
Sandoval County, NM 50.4 Elevated +4.4
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal +2.3
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal -5.1
Los Alamos County, NM 11.4 Healthy -34.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Santa Fe County
Strafford County, NH 45.9 Normal -0.1
Dickson County, TN 45.9 Normal -0.1
Kennebec County, ME 45.8 Normal -0.1
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal +0.1
Franklin County, WA 46.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Santa Fe County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Santa Fe County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Santa Fe County.

HOMEWISE, INC.
Santa Fe
505-983-9473
Financial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in New Mexico →

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 Santa Fe 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in New Mexico →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Santa Fe County, New Mexico?

    Santa Fe County has a County Distress Index score of 45.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,851st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Santa Fe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Santa Fe County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Santa Fe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Santa Fe County (45.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Bernalillo County, NM (58.8); San Miguel County, NM (58.0); Torrance County, NM (57.5).

  • 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). Santa Fe County's score of 45.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Santa Fe County's CDI score?

    Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe County?

    Santa Fe County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 155,956 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.