Colorado
Custer County
FIPS: 08027
5,073
population
⚠ Weather Alerts
🔶 FEMA Declarations
Fire
WILDFIRES, FLOODING, AND MUDSLIDES
Fire
ASPEN ACRES FIRE
Biological
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Unemployment in Custer County has climbed to 4.5%—a 66.7% increase from its April low of 2.7%—marking three consecutive months of deterioration in the labor market. The rate has now reversed course after briefly stabilizing earlier this year, rising from 3.1% in December 2025 through February 2026 to its current elevated level.
The employment weakness coincides with a softening housing market. Median home values peaked at $423,253 in mid-July and have since fallen 4.1% to $405,788 as of late September—two straight monthly declines. The combination of rising joblessness and falling property values suggests tightening economic conditions for the county's 5,073 residents.
Compounding these pressures, Custer County has sustained two separate FEMA disaster declarations for fire within the past year. Repeated fire declarations signal persistent hazard exposure that may elevate insurance costs and strain recovery resources at a moment when household finances appear increasingly stressed.
Story angle: Investigate whether recent fires have directly displaced workers or damaged local employers, and whether insurers are adjusting rates or availability in response to the repeated disaster declarations.
🔍 Data Signals
View all signals →Custer County, Colorado unemployment rising for 3 straight data releases
Custer County, Colorado's unemployment rate has moved up in each of the last 3 data releases, from 3.1% to 4.5% — a total change of 28.6%. Sustained directional movement over multiple releases often signals structural shift.
Custer County, Colorado home values fell 4.1% from their recent peak
Custer County, Colorado home values peaked at $423,253 (2026-07-19) and have since declined for 2 consecutive readings to $405,788 — a 4.1% drop. Consecutive declines from a recent high often precede broader market correction.
Custer County, Colorado has had 2 FEMA disaster declarations in the past year
Custer County, Colorado has accumulated 2 FEMA disaster declarations over the past 365 days (2 fire). Multiple declarations in a short period signal persistent hazard exposure and may affect insurance rates, infrastructure investment, and federal recovery timelines.
Custer County, Colorado received its second fire disaster declaration this year
Custer County, Colorado has received 2 separate fire declarations from FEMA in the past 365 days. Repeated declarations of the same disaster type suggest structural vulnerability to this hazard — and may trigger elevated scrutiny from federal risk assessment programs.
Custer County, Colorado unemployment rising again — up 66.7% from its low
After bottoming at 2.7% (2026-04), unemployment in Custer County, Colorado has risen for 3 straight data releases to 4.5% — a 66.7% increase from its low. This reversal may signal renewed labor market softening.