Jal ZIP Code List — Lea County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Jal, New Mexico and it is 88252. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

854.77

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

575

area code

Jal, NM ZIP code map

About Jal, NM

Jal is a vibrant city located in the heart of New Mexico, specifically within Lea County. Known for its rich oil history, Jal offers a blend of small-town charm and a strong sense of community. This unique city is a great place to experience the culture and lifestyle of southeastern New Mexico.

Location & geography

Situated in the southeastern part of New Mexico, Jal is approximately 18 miles southwest of the city of Hobbs. The city is surrounded by the expansive landscapes typical of the region, with a total land area of 854.77 square miles and a minimal water area of just 0.03 square miles. The terrain is primarily flat, with vast stretches of desert and occasional rolling hills.

Community & economy

The character of Jal is defined by a close-knit community that values hard work and tradition, heavily influenced by its involvement in the oil industry. Residents typically enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, often participating in local events and gatherings that foster community spirit. Daily life in Jal revolves around family-oriented activities, local businesses, and the appreciation of the natural environment.

Transportation

Jal is conveniently located near U.S. Route 62/180, which provides important connectivity to neighboring cities and regions. The nearest major airport is Lea County Regional Airport, located about 18 miles away in Hobbs. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transit for residents.

History

Jal was founded in the early 20th century and quickly became known for its booming oil industry, which has been a critical aspect of its economic development. Over the decades, Jal has also seen significant growth due to agriculture, particularly cattle ranching. The city has hosted events celebrating its oil heritage, reflecting the community's pride in its industrious past.

Did you know?

A surprising fact about Jal is that it shares its name with the jackrabbit, often referred to as the 'Jal' in local culture. Additionally, Jal is a hub for competitive sports, especially in youth leagues, showcasing the city’s active community engagement.

ZIP codes for Jal, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
88252	Jal	Lea	View map

Demographics & statistics

2,258

Population

39.5

Median age

$56,731

Median household income

$25,962

Per capita income

$112,800

Median home value

$750

Median monthly rent

70.9%

Home ownership

26.0%

Poverty rate

13.9%

Unemployment

766

Housing units

14.8%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

114

136

15–19

156

20–24

25–34

101

161

35–44

185

140

45–54

161

55–59

112

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	601	26.6%
18 and over	1,657	73.4%
65 and over	348	15.4%
Median age	39.5 years

Race & ethnicity

White 62.5%

Hispanic or Latino 17.5%

Two or more races 14.4%

Other race 3.1%

Black or African American 1.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Group	Count	%
White	1,712	62.5%
Hispanic or Latino	480	17.5%
Two or more races	394	14.4%
Other race	86	3.1%
Black or African American	47	1.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	19	0.7%

Household income

Under $10k 10.1%

$10k–$15k 8.3%

$15k–$25k 12.9%

$25k–$35k 9.6%

$35k–$50k 3.6%

$50k–$75k 25.4%

$75k–$100k 6.9%

$100k–$150k 9.9%

$150k–$200k 11.9%

$200k+ 1.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	10.1%
$10k–$15k	8.3%
$15k–$25k	12.9%
$25k–$35k	9.6%
$35k–$50k	3.6%
$50k–$75k	25.4%
$75k–$100k	6.9%
$100k–$150k	9.9%
$150k–$200k	11.9%
$200k+	1.3%
Median income	$56,731

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 28.8%

$50k–$100k 14.8%

$100k–$150k 17.8%

$150k–$200k 17.7%

$200k–$300k 20.9%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$112,800
Median rent / month	$750
Owner occupied	70.9%
Renter occupied	29.1%
Vacant	18.2%
Single-family detached	78.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	15.1%
Median rooms	5.2
Avg household size (owned)	2.62

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.5%
2000–2009	1.3%
1990–1999	5.0%
1980–1989	11.1%
1970–1979	18.0%
1960–1969	14.1%
1950–1959	38.8%
1940–1949	5.2%
1939 or earlier	1.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.2%
1 bedroom	10.3%
2 bedrooms	26.8%
3 bedrooms	50.9%
4 bedrooms	8.0%
5+ bedrooms	1.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.0%
1 vehicle	21.3%
2 vehicles	53.4%
3 or more	21.3%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	40.8%
Electricity	44.4%
Propane / LP gas	12.7%
Wood	2.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	406	49.4%
Cohabiting couple	79	9.6%
Male householder, no spouse	134	16.3%
Female householder, no spouse	203	24.7%
Households with children under 18	232	28.2%
Households with seniors (65+)	252	30.7%
Average household size	2.75

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.1%	31.6%
Married	50.5%	41.6%
Separated	0.0%	3.6%
Widowed	3.8%	14.0%
Divorced	7.5%	9.1%

Education

Less than 9th grade 22.9%

Some HS, no diploma 11.4%

HS graduate 25.1%

Some college, no degree 20.9%

Associate's degree 4.9%

Bachelor's degree 4.3%

Graduate / professional 10.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	65.7%
Bachelor's or higher	14.8%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	20	3.3%
Kindergarten	33	5.4%
Elementary school	239	39.0%
High school	235	38.3%
College / grad school	86	14.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 30.3%

Construction 19.5%

Agriculture & mining 17.3%

Transportation & utilities 9.4%

Other services 4.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 4.2%

Retail trade 3.9%

Professional & management 3.3%

Wholesale trade 2.1%

Finance & real estate 2.1%

Public administration 1.9%

Information 1.1%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.6%
Service	7.1%
Sales & office	6.8%
Natural resources & construction	22.0%
Production & transportation	30.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	73.9%
Government	21.3%
Self-employed	4.8%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	87.2%
Carpool	2.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	1.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	17.8

Poverty

All people 26.0%

Under 18 years 48.8%

18 and over 17.8%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 52.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	25.8%
Retirement income	11.4%
Supplemental Security	2.9%
Cash public assistance	8.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	15.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	37.2%
High cholesterol	33.6%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	25.3%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.8%
No physical activity	27.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.9%
Fair or poor health	18.1%
Poor mental health	14.6%
Poor physical health	12.1%
No health insurance	17.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	68.4%
Visited dentist	53.3%
Cholesterol screening	85.9%
Teeth loss	19.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	76	4.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.2%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	12.4%
65 and over	52.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	39.9%
Public insurance	49.3%
Uninsured under 19	10.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	2,205	97.7%
Spanish	491	22.3%
Other Indo-European	491	22.3%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,799	79.7%
Born in same state	1,700	75.3%
Born in different state	511	22.6%
Foreign born	99	4.4%
Naturalized citizen	459	20.3%
Not a US citizen	164	35.7%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	230	10.2%
Italian	158	7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	36	1.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.4%
Internet access	77.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Jal, NM?

Jal, NM has one ZIP code: 88252.

What is the main ZIP code for Jal, NM?

The primary ZIP code for Jal, NM is 88252. The city uses area code 575 for phone service.

What county is Jal, NM in?

Jal is located in Lea County, New Mexico.

How many ZIP codes are in Jal, NM?

Jal, NM has 1 ZIP code.

What is the ZIP code for the downtown area of Jal, New Mexico?

The downtown area of Jal, New Mexico uses ZIP code 88252, which serves the central business district and main commercial area of this Lea County city.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing addresses in Jal, New Mexico?

All mailing addresses in Jal, New Mexico use the single ZIP code 88252, which covers the entire city and surrounding service area in Lea County.