Carbon County, Utah

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.8 | 20,609 people · 3rd most distressed in Utah
American Default Research

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Carbon County, UT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.8 — 1535th 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 Utah, it ranks 3rd of 29 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carbon County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 85
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 77
Legal Distress 73.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 73
Structural Poverty 68.4
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Economic Vitality 47.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 36
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Consumer Credit Distress 32.3
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 67
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carbon County
Carbon County, UT 50.8 Elevated —
Uintah County, UT 41.3 Normal -9.5
Duchesne County, UT 40.9 Normal -9.9
Sanpete County, UT 37.9 Normal -12.9
Utah County, UT 36.5 Normal -14.3
Emery County, UT 30.7 Healthy -20.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carbon County
Lassen County, CA 50.8 Elevated +0.0
Trousdale County, TN 50.9 Elevated +0.1
Fannin County, GA 50.9 Elevated +0.1
Clay County, TX 50.9 Elevated +0.1
Madison County, NC 50.9 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

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Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 801-531-9077

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Carbon County residents at no cost.

Utah Legal Services 1-800-662-4245
Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake 801-328-8849

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Carbon County, Utah?

    Carbon County has a County Distress Index score of 50.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,535th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Utah out of 29 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carbon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carbon County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Carbon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carbon County (50.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Uintah County, UT (41.3); Duchesne County, UT (40.9); Sanpete County, UT (37.9).

  • 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). Carbon County's score of 50.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Carbon 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 Carbon County?

    Carbon County, Utah has a population of approximately 20,609 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.