Lake Arthur ZIP Code List — Chaves County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Lake Arthur, New Mexico and it is 88253. Area code: 575.

ZIP codes

218.39

sq mi land

0.32

sq mi water

575

area code

Lake Arthur, NM ZIP code map

About Lake Arthur, NM

Lake Arthur, New Mexico, is a small and charming municipality situated in Chaves County. Known for its close-knit community and scenic surroundings, it offers a unique blend of rural life and natural beauty. This picturesque town has a rich cultural history, making it a fascinating spot for visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Lake Arthur is located in eastern New Mexico, a region characterized by its expansive arid landscapes. It lies approximately 18 miles northeast of Roswell, 26 miles southwest of Carlsbad, and is surrounded by several smaller communities. The town encompasses a land area of 218.39 square miles, complemented by a minor water area of just 0.32 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Lake Arthur is defined by its welcoming atmosphere and community-oriented lifestyle. The local economy is primarily supported by agriculture and tourism, as visitors are drawn to its natural beauty and outdoor activities. Daily life in Lake Arthur tends to be peaceful and focused on family and community events.

Transportation

Lake Arthur is accessible via New Mexico State Road 2, which connects residents to surrounding areas and nearby cities. The nearest major airports are in Roswell and Carlsbad, providing essential air travel options for the community. Local transportation is primarily reliant on personal vehicles, as public transit options are limited.

History

Lake Arthur was established in the early 20th century, built around agriculture and ranching that continues to influence the local economy today. The town has witnessed several notable events throughout its history, contributing to its unique cultural identity. While it remains a small community, it serves as a historical marker for the development of central and eastern New Mexico.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Lake Arthur is that it covers a vast area of 218.39 square miles, making it one of the more spacious towns in the region. Despite its size, it maintains a tight-knit community feel, highlighting the charm and warmth of rural New Mexico.

ZIP codes for Lake Arthur, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
88253	Lake Arthur	Chaves	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,183

Population

35.0

Median age

Median household income

$45,821

Per capita income

$154,200

Median home value

$1,096

Median monthly rent

63.4%

Home ownership

8.6%

Poverty rate

2.7%

Unemployment

292

Housing units

23.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

105

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	244	20.6%
18 and over	939	79.4%
65 and over	91	7.7%
Median age	35.0 years

Race & ethnicity

White 72.4%

Hispanic or Latino 13%

Two or more races 9.1%

Other race 5.1%

Black or African American 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	984	72.4%
Hispanic or Latino	176	13%
Two or more races	123	9.1%
Other race	69	5.1%
Black or African American	7	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%

$10k–$15k 7.4%

$15k–$25k 2.9%

$25k–$35k 10.6%

$35k–$50k 7.4%

$50k–$75k 8.2%

$75k–$100k 8.2%

$100k–$150k 6.6%

$150k–$200k 23.3%

$200k+ 21.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.2%
$10k–$15k	7.4%
$15k–$25k	2.9%
$25k–$35k	10.6%
$35k–$50k	7.4%
$50k–$75k	8.2%
$75k–$100k	8.2%
$100k–$150k	6.6%
$150k–$200k	23.3%
$200k+	21.0%
Median income	$0

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 21.3%

$50k–$100k 18.0%

$100k–$150k 10.0%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k–$300k 29.3%

$300k–$500k 16.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$154,200
Median rent / month	$1,096
Owner occupied	63.4%
Renter occupied	36.6%
Vacant	12.3%
Single-family detached	64.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	27.4%
Median rooms	5.4
Avg household size (owned)	3.13

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	12.3%
2000–2009	7.0%
1990–1999	19.5%
1980–1989	14.4%
1970–1979	1.4%
1960–1969	10.7%
1950–1959	9.5%
1940–1949	19.8%
1939 or earlier	5.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	4.9%
2 bedrooms	17.7%
3 bedrooms	57.0%
4 bedrooms	18.4%
5+ bedrooms	2.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	9.0%
1 vehicle	19.6%
2 vehicles	27.6%
3 or more	43.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	23.3%
Electricity	37.4%
Propane / LP gas	36.1%
Wood	3.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	220	58.4%
Cohabiting couple	29	7.7%
Male householder, no spouse	46	12.2%
Female householder, no spouse	82	21.8%
Households with children under 18	149	39.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	53	14.1%
Average household size	3.14

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.2%	22.0%
Married	43.6%	57.8%
Separated	0.7%	5.5%
Widowed	1.7%	6.4%
Divorced	15.7%	8.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 12.9%

Some HS, no diploma 7.8%

HS graduate 25.2%

Some college, no degree 22.2%

Associate's degree 8.9%

Bachelor's degree 18.5%

Graduate / professional 4.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	79.3%
Bachelor's or higher	23.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	6	3.3%
Kindergarten	4	2.2%
Elementary school	73	40.3%
High school	91	50.3%
College / grad school	7	3.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 31.6%

Education & healthcare 21.4%

Other services 10.9%

Retail trade 10.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.0%

Manufacturing 5.7%

Construction 3.4%

Finance & real estate 3.0%

Professional & management 2.6%

Public administration 2.2%

Transportation & utilities 1.0%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	35.2%
Service	16.8%
Sales & office	12.8%
Natural resources & construction	20.4%
Production & transportation	14.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	72.2%
Government	11.9%
Self-employed	15.4%
Unpaid family workers	0.6%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	94.4%
Carpool	1.6%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	0.0%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	27.1

Poverty

All people 8.6%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 10.9%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 38.2%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	19.1%
Retirement income	7.2%
Supplemental Security	1.3%
Cash public assistance	7.4%
Food stamps / SNAP	17.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.3%
High cholesterol	31.9%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	3.1%
Asthma	10.2%
Arthritis	22.9%
Kidney disease	3.2%
Pulmonary disease	6.3%
Cancer	5.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.1%
No physical activity	27.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	35.0%
Fair or poor health	17.6%
Poor mental health	15.4%
Poor physical health	12.0%
No health insurance	17.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	66.5%
Visited dentist	59.6%
Cholesterol screening	85.9%
Teeth loss	16.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	69	7.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	9.8%
Under 18	1.2%
18–64 years	10.6%
65 and over	25.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	64.9%
Public insurance	34.2%
Uninsured under 19	7.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,082	91.5%
Spanish	158	14.6%
Other Indo-European	158	14.6%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,021	86.3%
Born in same state	1,001	84.6%
Born in different state	690	58.3%
Foreign born	20	1.7%
Naturalized citizen	162	13.7%
Not a US citizen	18	11.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	128	10.8%
French	41	3.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	40	3.4%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	31.9%
Internet access	82.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Lake Arthur, NM?

Lake Arthur, NM has one ZIP code: 88253.

What is the main ZIP code for Lake Arthur, NM?

The primary ZIP code for Lake Arthur, NM is 88253. The city uses area code 575 for phone service.

What county is Lake Arthur, NM in?

Lake Arthur is located in Chaves County, New Mexico.

How many ZIP codes are in Lake Arthur, NM?

Lake Arthur, NM has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing something to a business in downtown Lake Arthur?

All mail addressed to Lake Arthur, including the downtown area, uses the ZIP code 88253, as this is the only ZIP code serving the entire city.

If I'm sending a package to Lake Arthur State Park area, what ZIP code do I need?

Packages to Lake Arthur State Park and surrounding areas should be addressed using ZIP code 88253, which covers all of Lake Arthur in Chaves County.