Union County, New Mexico

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.5 | 3,964 people · 27th most distressed in New Mexico
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Union County, NM falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.5 — 1675th 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 27th of 33 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 80.7 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 80.7
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 80
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 66.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 83
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Consumer Credit Distress 55.8
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 75
Auto Loan Delinquency 53
Credit Card Delinquency 52
Uninsured Rate 76
Subprime Credit Population 50
Housing Cost Burden 20.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 77
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, NM 48.5 Normal —
Las Animas County, CO 64.6 Elevated +16.0
Colfax County, NM 54.3 Elevated +5.7
Quay County, NM 53.6 Elevated +5.0
Dallam County, TX 51.3 Elevated +2.8
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal -3.0
Harding County, NM 43.4 Normal -5.1
Cimarron County, OK 39.2 Normal -9.3
Hartley County, TX 35.1 Normal -13.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Modoc County, CA 48.6 Normal +0.0
Gilmer County, WV 48.6 Normal +0.0
Mills County, TX 48.4 Normal -0.1
Lyon County, KY 48.7 Normal +0.1
Bailey County, TX 48.3 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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 Union County, New Mexico?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 48.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,675th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in New Mexico out of 33 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 80.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (48.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Las Animas County, CO (64.6); 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). Union County's score of 48.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, New Mexico has a population of approximately 3,964 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.