Piute County, Utah

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.3 | 1,550 people · 16th most distressed in Utah
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Piute County, UT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.2 — 2637th 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 Utah, it ranks 16th of 29 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Piute County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.1
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 55
Income vs. State Median 94
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Economic Vitality 70.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 72
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 64
Housing Cost Burden 24.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 19.7
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 16.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Piute County
Piute County, UT 32.3 Healthy —
Sevier County, UT 40.3 Normal +8.0
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy -0.8
Beaver County, UT 27.8 Healthy -4.4
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy -6.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Piute County
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy +0.0
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy +0.1
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy -0.1
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy +0.1
Deuel County, NE 32.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Piute County

Find an Attorney

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 Piute 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 Piute County, Utah?

    Piute County has a County Distress Index score of 32.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,637th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Utah out of 29 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Piute County?

    The primary driver of distress in Piute County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Piute County compare to neighboring counties?

    Piute County (32.3) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Sevier County, UT (40.3); Garfield County, UT (31.4); Beaver County, UT (27.8).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Piute County's score of 32.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Piute 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 Piute County?

    Piute County, Utah has a population of approximately 1,550 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.