Dulce ZIP Codes — Rio Arriba County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Dulce, New Mexico and it is 87528. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

436.92

sq mi land

2.06

sq mi water

575

area code

Dulce, NM ZIP code map

About Dulce, NM

Dulce, New Mexico, is a small but vibrant community located within the stunning landscapes of Rio Arriba County. This picturesque town offers a unique blend of culture and natural beauty, making it a hidden gem in the American Southwest. Dulce serves as a cultural center for the Jicarilla Apache Nation and retains a strong sense of heritage and community pride.

Location & geography

Dulce is situated in the northwestern region of New Mexico, surrounded by the captivating Rocky Mountains and vast forests. It offers a land area of 436.92 square miles and a water area of 2.06 square miles, providing an expansive view of nature and outdoor activities. Nearby cities include Pagosa Springs, Colorado, approximately 40 miles to the north, Espanola, New Mexico, around 44 miles to the south, and Taos, New Mexico, roughly 30 miles to the southeast.

Community & economy

The character of Dulce is deeply influenced by its rich Native American heritage, primarily through the Jicarilla Apache Nation. The community thrives on agriculture, timber, and tourism, drawing visitors interested in outdoor recreation and cultural experiences. Daily life in Dulce often revolves around community events, traditional practices, and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Transportation

Dulce is accessible via U.S. Route 64, which links the town to other parts of New Mexico and offers scenic drives through the region. The closest major airport is the San Juan Regional Airport, located approximately 60 miles to the west in Farmington, providing regional flights for travelers. While public transit options may be limited, the community maintains a tight-knit feel with friendly interactions.

History

Dulce was founded as a part of the Jicarilla Apache Nation territory, where it remains a cultural and economic hub. Key industries in the area have historically revolved around timber and tourism, attracting those looking to explore the natural attractions in the region. Notable events in Dulce's history include celebrations of Apache cultural heritage, making it an integral part of the local identity.

Did you know?

A lesser-known fact about Dulce is that it is home to an annual rodeo, celebrating both the agricultural heritage and the Apache culture. Additionally, the town is known for its proximity to the enchanting Carson National Forest, which offers a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities.

ZIP codes for Dulce, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
87528	Dulce	Rio Arriba	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,650

Population

35.4

Median age

$43,607

Median household income

$21,139

Per capita income

$59,000

Median home value

$535

Median monthly rent

56.4%

Home ownership

15.6%

Poverty rate

23.5%

Unemployment

688

Housing units

11.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

133

Under 5

139

5–9

101

103

10–14

107

15–19

20–24

199

25–34

208

120

35–44

125

136

45–54

143

170

55–59

179

60–64

134

65–74

140

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	717	27.1%
18 and over	1,933	72.9%
65 and over	361	13.6%
Median age	35.4 years

Race & ethnicity

American Indian / Alaska Native 73.9%

Hispanic or Latino 11.4%

Other race 6.5%

Two or more races 5.7%

White 1.5%

Asian 0.8%

Black or African American 0.2%

Group	Count	%
American Indian / Alaska Native	2,210	73.9%
Hispanic or Latino	341	11.4%
Other race	193	6.5%
Two or more races	171	5.7%
White	46	1.5%
Asian	25	0.8%
Black or African American	5	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 11.9%

$10k–$15k 4.9%

$15k–$25k 6.6%

$25k–$35k 16.5%

$35k–$50k 14.5%

$50k–$75k 22.7%

$75k–$100k 13.8%

$100k–$150k 6.4%

$150k–$200k 2.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	11.9%
$10k–$15k	4.9%
$15k–$25k	6.6%
$25k–$35k	16.5%
$35k–$50k	14.5%
$50k–$75k	22.7%
$75k–$100k	13.8%
$100k–$150k	6.4%
$150k–$200k	2.7%
Median income	$43,607

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 35.5%

$50k–$100k 37.6%

$100k–$150k 9.4%

$150k–$200k 3.1%

$200k–$300k 6.5%

$1M+ 7.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$59,000
Median rent / month	$535
Owner occupied	56.4%
Renter occupied	43.6%
Vacant	19.8%
Single-family detached	63.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	19.1%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	3.38

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	10.1%
2000–2009	18.5%
1990–1999	20.3%
1980–1989	19.3%
1970–1979	22.3%
1960–1969	8.5%
1950–1959	0.0%
1940–1949	0.6%
1939 or earlier	0.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.5%
1 bedroom	12.1%
2 bedrooms	28.4%
3 bedrooms	49.1%
4 bedrooms	9.9%
5+ bedrooms	0.0%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.5%
1 vehicle	50.3%
2 vehicles	33.1%
3 or more	15.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	83.4%
Electricity	1.4%
Propane / LP gas	10.1%
Wood	5.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	238	28.0%
Cohabiting couple	133	15.7%
Male householder, no spouse	249	29.3%
Female householder, no spouse	229	27.0%
Households with children under 18	189	22.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	229	27.0%
Average household size	3.10

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.8%	50.1%
Married	33.9%	24.6%
Separated	0.0%	1.0%
Widowed	1.7%	4.0%
Divorced	25.7%	20.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 4.1%

Some HS, no diploma 9.6%

HS graduate 37.8%

Some college, no degree 29.8%

Associate's degree 7.2%

Bachelor's degree 8.8%

Graduate / professional 2.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	86.3%
Bachelor's or higher	11.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	71	13.1%
Kindergarten	53	9.8%
Elementary school	258	47.5%
High school	75	13.8%
College / grad school	86	15.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Public administration 30.1%

Education & healthcare 23.6%

Construction 11.8%

Retail trade 10.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 8.7%

Agriculture & mining 5.4%

Professional & management 3.5%

Other services 3.1%

Transportation & utilities 2.4%

Finance & real estate 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	26.9%
Service	25.6%
Sales & office	23.4%
Natural resources & construction	13.7%
Production & transportation	10.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	31.6%
Government	68.4%
Self-employed	0.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.6%
Carpool	5.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.6%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	8.2

Poverty

All people 15.6%

Under 18 years 23.7%

18 and over 12.9%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 21.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	18.3%
Retirement income	20.6%
Supplemental Security	7.8%
Cash public assistance	1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP	21.2%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.4%
High cholesterol	25.2%
Heart disease	7.4%
Stroke	4.8%
Asthma	14.4%
Arthritis	26.8%
Kidney disease	3.9%
Pulmonary disease	9.4%
Cancer	4.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	15.2%
No physical activity	28.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.9%
Fair or poor health	24.9%
Poor mental health	21.3%
Poor physical health	16.7%
No health insurance	12.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.3%
Visited dentist	50.5%
Cholesterol screening	81.4%
Teeth loss	28.5%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	49	2.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	23.0%
Under 18	10.9%
18–64 years	20.9%
65 and over	56.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	74.0%
Public insurance	36.4%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,378	89.7%
Spanish	36	1.5%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	2,636	99.5%
Born in same state	2,633	99.4%
Born in different state	2,254	85.1%
Foreign born	3	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	14	0.5%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	16	0.6%
Italian	15	0.6%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	14	0.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.0%
Internet access	86.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Dulce, NM have?

Dulce, NM has one ZIP code: 87528. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.