Chama ZIP Codes — Rio Arriba County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Chama, New Mexico and it is 87520. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

259.11

sq mi land

0.55

sq mi water

575

area code

Chama, NM ZIP code map

About Chama, NM

Chama, New Mexico, is a small yet charming town nestled in the northern part of the state. Known for its stunning mountain vistas and rich cultural heritage, Chama offers a tranquil escape for visitors and residents alike. The town is steeped in history and serves as a gateway to several outdoor recreational opportunities.

Location & geography

Chama is located in Rio Arriba County, positioned near the Colorado state line and surrounded by the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Notable nearby cities include Tierra Amarilla, approximately 24 miles away, and Los Ojos, 12 miles away. The total land area of Chama is 259.11 square miles, with a small water area of 0.55 square miles.

Community & economy

Chama's community is characterized by a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, making it a tight-knit place to live. The local economy is supported by agriculture, tourism, and the railway industry, with the iconic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad attracting visitors year-round. Daily life in Chama revolves around community events, outdoor activities, and a deep appreciation for the area's natural beauty.

Transportation

Chama is accessible via U.S. Route 84, which connects the town to other key destinations in New Mexico. The nearest major airport is Los Alamos Airport, located about 60 miles away, providing access for regional travelers. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of commuting.

History

Chama was founded in the late 1800s and has a rich railroad history that greatly influenced its early development. The town's economic growth was bolstered by the arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, which helped transport goods and passengers through the region. Today, Chama is known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant arts scene.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Chama is that it is home to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, a National Historic Landmark that operates steam locomotives. This scenic train ride is famous for its breathtaking views and is often considered one of the most beautiful train trips in America.

ZIP codes for Chama, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
87520	Chama	Rio Arriba	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,212

Population

62.8

Median age

$52,750

Median household income

$38,192

Per capita income

$206,500

Median home value

Median monthly rent

85.5%

Home ownership

7.8%

Poverty rate

14.2%

Unemployment

1,101

Housing units

31.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

103

60–64

105

134

65–74

135

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	43	3.5%
18 and over	1,169	96.5%
65 and over	461	38.0%
Median age	62.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 36.5%

Hispanic or Latino 31.3%

Other race 31.3%

Two or more races 0.6%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	645	36.5%
Hispanic or Latino	553	31.3%
Other race	553	31.3%
Two or more races	11	0.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 5.1%

$15k–$25k 16.5%

$25k–$35k 9.2%

$35k–$50k 13.8%

$50k–$75k 15.4%

$75k–$100k 11.0%

$100k–$150k 4.0%

$150k–$200k 11.2%

$200k+ 9.6%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	5.1%
$15k–$25k	16.5%
$25k–$35k	9.2%
$35k–$50k	13.8%
$50k–$75k	15.4%
$75k–$100k	11.0%
$100k–$150k	4.0%
$150k–$200k	11.2%
$200k+	9.6%
Median income	$52,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.1%

$50k–$100k 8.8%

$100k–$150k 9.7%

$150k–$200k 19.4%

$200k–$300k 17.4%

$300k–$500k 22.6%

$500k–$1M 8.2%

$1M+ 3.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$206,500
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	85.5%
Renter occupied	14.5%
Vacant	53.9%
Single-family detached	75.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	20.2%
Median rooms	4.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.40

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	9.0%
2000–2009	16.2%
1990–1999	33.1%
1980–1989	7.8%
1970–1979	10.6%
1960–1969	14.2%
1950–1959	1.4%
1940–1949	0.9%
1939 or earlier	6.8%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.7%
1 bedroom	13.2%
2 bedrooms	31.8%
3 bedrooms	48.1%
4 bedrooms	3.7%
5+ bedrooms	1.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	8.6%
1 vehicle	33.6%
2 vehicles	35.8%
3 or more	21.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	50.7%
Electricity	0.6%
Propane / LP gas	13.8%
Wood	30.5%
Solar	2.6%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	310	57.0%
Cohabiting couple	58	10.7%
Male householder, no spouse	79	14.5%
Female householder, no spouse	97	17.8%
Households with children under 18	36	6.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	208	38.2%
Average household size	2.23

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.8%	14.8%
Married	64.1%	57.5%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	3.0%	15.9%
Divorced	8.1%	11.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.3%

Some HS, no diploma 11.4%

HS graduate 28.6%

Some college, no degree 22.3%

Associate's degree 2.5%

Bachelor's degree 9.8%

Graduate / professional 22.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	85.3%
Bachelor's or higher	31.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	0	0.0%
Elementary school	41	40.2%
High school	34	33.3%
College / grad school	27	26.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 21.1%

Construction 18.1%

Transportation & utilities 13.0%

Retail trade 12.2%

Education & healthcare 10.4%

Professional & management 8.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.9%

Other services 3.3%

Finance & real estate 2.8%

Public administration 2.8%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	42.0%
Service	17.8%
Sales & office	20.6%
Natural resources & construction	14.5%
Production & transportation	5.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	66.4%
Government	20.4%
Self-employed	13.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.3%
Carpool	3.3%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	7.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	14.9

Poverty

All people 7.8%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 8.1%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	44.9%
Retirement income	38.1%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	14.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.8%
High cholesterol	35.3%
Heart disease	8.9%
Stroke	4.4%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	33.4%
Kidney disease	4.5%
Pulmonary disease	8.3%
Cancer	7.1%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	11.4%
No physical activity	27.1%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.7%
Fair or poor health	21.2%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	14.4%
No health insurance	14.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	74.0%
Visited dentist	60.9%
Cholesterol screening	90.2%
Teeth loss	15.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	117	10.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	39.8%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	37.9%
65 and over	46.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	66.9%
Public insurance	54.0%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,212	100.0%
Spanish	5	0.4%
Other Indo-European	5	0.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,212	100.0%
Born in same state	1,212	100.0%
Born in different state	700	57.8%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	63	5.2%
Arab	56	4.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	37	3.1%
Norwegian	14	1.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.9%
Internet access	81.4%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chama, NM have?

Chama, NM has one ZIP code: 87520. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.