Capitan ZIP Code List — Lincoln County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Capitan, New Mexico and it is 88316. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

909.64

sq mi land

0.04

sq mi water

575

area code

Capitan, NM ZIP code map

About Capitan, NM

Capitan is a small, charming village located in Lincoln County, New Mexico. Nestled in the picturesque Sierra Blanca Mountains, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich history. This community, known for its rustic landscape and friendly atmosphere, serves as a gateway to various outdoor activities and attractions.

Location & geography

Capitan is situated in the central part of New Mexico, approximately 21 miles southwest of Ruidoso and about 32 miles northeast of Alamogordo. The terrain is characterized by rolling hills and expansive forests, providing an ideal setting for nature enthusiasts. With a land area of 909.64 square miles and a water area of just 0.04 square miles, Capitan offers a vast expanse for exploration.

Community & economy

The character of Capitan is defined by its close-knit community, where residents enjoy a slower pace of life and actively participate in local events and activities. The economy is primarily supported by tourism, ranching, and small-scale businesses that cater to visitors looking to experience the natural beauty of the area. Daily life is intertwined with the outdoors, as many residents and visitors engage in hiking, fishing, and exploring the scenic surroundings.

Transportation

Capitan is accessible via New Mexico State Road 48, which connects to other highways leading to nearby larger towns. The nearest significant airport is the Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, located approximately 25 miles away in Ruidoso. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transport.

History

Capitan was founded in the late 19th century, originally serving as a railroad town that supported the logging and ranching industries. The area is known for its significant history linked to the infamous Smokey Bear, who was rescued from a forest fire in Capitan Canyon in 1950, leading to the establishment of the Smokey Bear Historical Park. This history has made Capitan a notable point of interest for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Capitan is that it is the birthplace of Smokey Bear, the iconic mascot created to promote forest fire prevention. The Smokey Bear Historical Park pays homage to this legacy, drawing visitors interested in both history and environmental conservation.

ZIP codes for Capitan, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
88316	Capitan	Lincoln	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,289

Population

55.2

Median age

$66,042

Median household income

$31,573

Per capita income

$148,700

Median home value

$906

Median monthly rent

88.9%

Home ownership

11.6%

Poverty rate

11.4%

Unemployment

1,298

Housing units

22.3%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

109

10–14

104

15–19

20–24

119

25–34

113

35–44

144

45–54

137

174

55–59

166

127

60–64

122

200

65–74

191

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	361	15.8%
18 and over	1,928	84.2%
65 and over	571	24.9%
Median age	55.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85%

Two or more races 7.6%

Hispanic or Latino 7.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	2,095	85%
Two or more races	187	7.6%
Hispanic or Latino	177	7.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 2.1%

$10k–$15k 4.1%

$15k–$25k 6.8%

$25k–$35k 6.9%

$35k–$50k 22.9%

$50k–$75k 25.0%

$75k–$100k 11.2%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$150k–$200k 4.4%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	2.1%
$10k–$15k	4.1%
$15k–$25k	6.8%
$25k–$35k	6.9%
$35k–$50k	22.9%
$50k–$75k	25.0%
$75k–$100k	11.2%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$150k–$200k	4.4%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$66,042

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.4%

$50k–$100k 19.8%

$100k–$150k 25.1%

$150k–$200k 12.5%

$200k–$300k 10.0%

$300k–$500k 18.6%

$500k–$1M 0.5%

$1M+ 8.1%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$148,700
Median rent / month	$906
Owner occupied	88.9%
Renter occupied	11.1%
Vacant	25.1%
Single-family detached	43.6%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	51.8%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.22

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	7.9%
2000–2009	30.0%
1990–1999	16.5%
1980–1989	25.0%
1970–1979	9.3%
1960–1969	0.8%
1950–1959	1.2%
1940–1949	4.4%
1939 or earlier	4.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	3.6%
2 bedrooms	30.9%
3 bedrooms	62.4%
4 bedrooms	3.0%
5+ bedrooms	0.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.5%
1 vehicle	16.1%
2 vehicles	46.1%
3 or more	35.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	63.8%
Electricity	5.0%
Propane / LP gas	3.5%
Wood	15.2%
Solar	0.5%
No fuel used	2.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	559	52.7%
Cohabiting couple	78	7.4%
Male householder, no spouse	136	12.8%
Female householder, no spouse	288	27.1%
Households with children under 18	181	17.1%
Households with seniors (65+)	545	51.4%
Average household size	2.15

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.9%	15.1%
Married	56.0%	48.0%
Separated	0.9%	2.4%
Widowed	3.6%	22.0%
Divorced	14.5%	12.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.8%

Some HS, no diploma 2.7%

HS graduate 26.5%

Some college, no degree 31.4%

Associate's degree 15.3%

Bachelor's degree 7.2%

Graduate / professional 15.1%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	95.5%
Bachelor's or higher	22.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	31	9.8%
Elementary school	208	65.6%
High school	57	18.0%
College / grad school	21	6.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 27.3%

Finance & real estate 17.7%

Arts, food & hospitality 15.1%

Agriculture & mining 14.9%

Public administration 7.3%

Transportation & utilities 6.3%

Retail trade 5.1%

Construction 3.3%

Professional & management 1.7%

Other services 0.9%

Manufacturing 0.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	39.1%
Service	26.1%
Sales & office	17.9%
Natural resources & construction	12.2%
Production & transportation	4.8%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	62.4%
Government	21.9%
Self-employed	15.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	75.0%
Carpool	10.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	33.8

Poverty

All people 11.6%

Under 18 years 14.1%

18 and over 11.2%

Married-couple families 5.9%

Female-led households 17.1%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	64.6%
Retirement income	36.2%
Supplemental Security	4.4%
Cash public assistance	4.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	7.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.8%
High cholesterol	36.9%
Heart disease	8.2%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	9.9%
Arthritis	30.1%
Kidney disease	3.7%
Pulmonary disease	8.1%
Cancer	8.0%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.4%
No physical activity	22.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	32.1%
Fair or poor health	15.3%
Poor mental health	13.1%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	9.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.7%
Visited dentist	63.5%
Cholesterol screening	90.9%
Teeth loss	13.8%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	133	6.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	33.1%
Under 18	2.5%
18–64 years	24.2%
65 and over	73.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	50.1%
Public insurance	51.1%
Uninsured under 19	3.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,256	98.6%
Spanish	16	0.7%
Other Indo-European	16	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,253	98.4%
Born in same state	2,121	92.7%
Born in different state	1,100	48.1%
Foreign born	132	5.8%
Naturalized citizen	36	1.6%
Not a US citizen	31	86.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	641	28%
French	265	11.6%
Italian	135	5.9%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	47	2.1%
Irish	2	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	46.4%
Internet access	98.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Capitan, NM?

Capitan, NM has one ZIP code: 88316.

What is the main ZIP code for Capitan, NM?

The primary ZIP code for Capitan, NM is 88316. The city uses area code 575 for phone service.

What county is Capitan, NM in?

Capitan is located in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

How many ZIP codes are in Capitan, NM?

Capitan, NM has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mail addressed to the Capitan Village Hall and downtown government offices?

The Capitan Village Hall and downtown administrative offices are located in ZIP code 88316, which is the sole ZIP code serving Capitan, New Mexico.

What is the ZIP code for the Capitan area near the Billy the Kid Museum and historic downtown district?

The Billy the Kid Museum and historic downtown Capitan area are both served by ZIP code 88316, the only ZIP code in this Lincoln County community.