Alto ZIP Code List — Lincoln County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Alto, New Mexico and it is 88312. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

71.17

sq mi land

0.00

sq mi water

575

area code

Alto, NM ZIP code map

About Alto, NM

Alto is a charming community located in the state of New Mexico. Nestled within Lincoln County, it offers residents a serene environment surrounded by the beauty of the New Mexico landscape. The city has a rich history and is known for its welcoming atmosphere, making it a unique place to live and visit.

Location & geography

Alto is situated in the southeastern part of New Mexico, offering picturesque views of the surrounding terrain. It lies in proximity to several cities, including Ruidoso, which is about 9 miles away, and Capitan, approximately 13 miles distant. The city spans a land area of 71.17 square miles, with no water area contributing to its landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Alto reflects a blend of rural charm and local culture, characterized by friendly residents and a close-knit environment. Agriculture and tourism are significant aspects of the local economy, with many visitors attracted to the region's natural beauty and outdoor activities. Daily life in Alto is peaceful, with residents enjoying the lush landscapes and recreational opportunities available in the vicinity.

Transportation

Alto is accessible via several highways, notably U.S. Route 70, which connects the town to nearby cities and the broader region. The nearest named airport is the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, located around 15 miles away from Alto, serving both commercial and private flights. Public transportation options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary means of transit in the area.

History

Alto has a rich history that began in the early 20th century, with the establishment of the first settlements in the area. The surrounding regions were influenced by ranching and tourism, key industries that contributed to the local economy and growth of the community. Notable events have included the development of recreational facilities that have attracted visitors seeking outdoor adventures.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Alto is that it is located at an elevation of over 7,000 feet, providing stunning views of the Sierra Blanca mountain range. Additionally, the area is known for its proximity to the popular ski resort town of Ruidoso, making it a hub for winter sports activities.

ZIP codes for Alto, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
88312	Alto	Lincoln	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,800

Population

63.2

Median age

$56,686

Median household income

$51,965

Per capita income

$312,500

Median home value

Median monthly rent

97.6%

Home ownership

10.2%

Poverty rate

7.4%

Unemployment

3,018

Housing units

36.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

113

10–14

109

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

156

45–54

149

148

55–59

142

205

60–64

196

387

65–74

371

212

75–84

202

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	360	12.9%
18 and over	2,440	87.1%
65 and over	1,221	43.6%
Median age	63.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 60.1%

Hispanic or Latino 18.4%

Two or more races 16.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 2.6%

Other race 1.7%

Asian 0.4%

Black or African American 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	2,061	60.1%
Hispanic or Latino	630	18.4%
Two or more races	573	16.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	89	2.6%
Other race	57	1.7%
Asian	15	0.4%
Black or African American	5	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 12.7%

$15k–$25k 3.8%

$25k–$35k 9.1%

$35k–$50k 20.2%

$50k–$75k 14.8%

$75k–$100k 3.9%

$100k–$150k 17.9%

$150k–$200k 6.2%

$200k+ 11.4%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	12.7%
$15k–$25k	3.8%
$25k–$35k	9.1%
$35k–$50k	20.2%
$50k–$75k	14.8%
$75k–$100k	3.9%
$100k–$150k	17.9%
$150k–$200k	6.2%
$200k+	11.4%
Median income	$56,686

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.1%

$50k–$100k 9.5%

$100k–$150k 16.4%

$150k–$200k 4.1%

$200k–$300k 13.7%

$300k–$500k 22.7%

$500k–$1M 18.1%

$1M+ 11.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$312,500
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	97.6%
Renter occupied	2.4%
Vacant	59.1%
Single-family detached	75.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	18.2%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.25

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	1.1%
2010–2019	6.4%
2000–2009	29.6%
1990–1999	17.0%
1980–1989	29.1%
1970–1979	13.9%
1960–1969	0.6%
1950–1959	0.0%
1940–1949	0.8%
1939 or earlier	1.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	6.0%
2 bedrooms	17.4%
3 bedrooms	51.3%
4 bedrooms	22.3%
5+ bedrooms	3.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.6%
1 vehicle	17.8%
2 vehicles	41.3%
3 or more	40.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	67.5%
Electricity	22.3%
Propane / LP gas	2.6%
Wood	3.5%
Solar	1.6%
No fuel used	2.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	813	65.2%
Cohabiting couple	40	3.2%
Male householder, no spouse	165	13.2%
Female householder, no spouse	228	18.3%
Households with children under 18	120	9.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	770	61.8%
Average household size	2.25

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	6.0%	9.2%
Married	70.0%	67.6%
Separated	0.0%	3.2%
Widowed	4.4%	10.4%
Divorced	19.6%	9.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 4.9%

HS graduate 25.3%

Some college, no degree 27.2%

Associate's degree 4.3%

Bachelor's degree 20.9%

Graduate / professional 15.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	93.6%
Bachelor's or higher	36.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	10	2.8%
Elementary school	140	39.5%
High school	204	57.6%
College / grad school	0	0.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Retail trade 19.5%

Professional & management 18.2%

Education & healthcare 16.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 11.4%

Transportation & utilities 8.9%

Construction 5.6%

Manufacturing 5.6%

Agriculture & mining 5.5%

Finance & real estate 5.4%

Other services 1.7%

Wholesale trade 1.3%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	28.4%
Service	15.3%
Sales & office	29.9%
Natural resources & construction	20.8%
Production & transportation	5.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	67.6%
Government	11.8%
Self-employed	20.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.4%
Carpool	3.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	28.3

Poverty

All people 10.2%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 11.7%

Married-couple families 5.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	55.8%
Retirement income	38.9%
Supplemental Security	1.0%
Cash public assistance	2.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.4%
High cholesterol	39.6%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.1%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	32.7%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	9.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.5%
No physical activity	21.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.1%
Fair or poor health	15.1%
Poor mental health	12.3%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	8.4%
Visited doctor (checkup)	72.3%
Visited dentist	65.2%
Cholesterol screening	92.6%
Teeth loss	12.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	321	13.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	24.8%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	18.8%
65 and over	38.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.2%
Public insurance	58.1%
Uninsured under 19	21.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,794	99.8%
Spanish	62	2.2%
Other Indo-European	62	2.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,702	96.5%
Born in same state	2,681	95.8%
Born in different state	646	23.1%
Foreign born	21	0.8%
Naturalized citizen	98	3.5%
Not a US citizen	53	54.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	366	13.1%
Arab	246	8.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	192	6.9%
Polish	54	1.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.5%
Internet access	98.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Alto, NM?

Alto, NM has one ZIP code: 88312.

What is the main ZIP code for Alto, NM?

The primary ZIP code for Alto, NM is 88312. The city uses area code 575 for phone service.

What county is Alto, NM in?

Alto is located in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

How many ZIP codes are in Alto, NM?

Alto, NM has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for Alto, New Mexico located in Lincoln County?

Alto, New Mexico is located in ZIP code 88312, which serves this community in Lincoln County in south-central New Mexico.

If I'm mailing something to a business or residence in Alto, NM, what ZIP code should I use?

You should use ZIP code 88312 for all mail addressed to Alto, New Mexico, as this is the single ZIP code that covers the entire community.