Lake City ZIP Code List — Hinsdale County, CO

There is one unique ZIP code in Lake City, Colorado and it is 81235. Area code: 970.
1
ZIP codes
534.61
sq mi land
1.51
sq mi water
970
area code
Lake City, CO ZIP code map

About Lake City, CO

Lake City, Colorado, is a picturesque mountain town nestled in the San Juan Mountains. Known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, it sits at a high elevation in Hinsdale County. The town's unique charm attracts visitors year-round, making it a beloved destination for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Location & geography

Lake City is located in the heart of Hinsdale County in Colorado, surrounded by majestic peaks and lush valleys. The nearest cities include Gunnison to the northwest at about 40 miles, Pagosa Springs to the southeast at roughly 50 miles, and Leadville to the north at approximately 60 miles. The town encompasses a land area of 534.61 square miles, with a water area of 1.51 square miles, contributing to its serene landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Lake City is characterized by its friendly, small-town atmosphere where residents value their connections to one another and the natural environment. The local economy thrives primarily on tourism, with activities such as hiking, fishing, and skiing drawing visitors from around the country. Daily life in Lake City revolves around outdoor pursuits, local events, and the rich history of the area, reflecting a deep appreciation for nature and community spirit.

Transportation

Transportation in Lake City is primarily accessed via Highway 149, which connects the town to other major routes and nearby destinations. The nearest named airport is the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, located about 40 miles northwest of the town, offering access to regional air travel.

History

Lake City was founded during the Colorado Gold Rush in the 1870s, initially thriving as a mining town. Over the years, the key industries have shifted from mining to tourism, as visitors come to explore the area's scenic beauty and rich heritage. Notable events in the town's history include the establishment of several historic sites and the ongoing celebration of its mining roots.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Lake City is that it is home to the tallest recorded mountain in the San Juan range, Uncompahgre Peak, which attracts climbers and hikers. Additionally, the town boasts a distinct architectural style, with many buildings reflecting its rich history and mining past.

ZIP codes for Lake City, CO (1)
ZIP code City County Map
81235 Lake City Hinsdale View map

Demographics & statistics

829
Population
56.2
Median age
$59,205
Median household income
$47,743
Per capita income
$386,100
Median home value
$979
Median monthly rent
76.8%
Home ownership
8.1%
Poverty rate
2.0%
Unemployment
946
Housing units
45.4%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
11
Under 5
12
19
5–9
21
14
10–14
15
10
15–19
11
5
20–24
6
51
25–34
58
37
35–44
43
40
45–54
46
33
55–59
37
47
60–64
55
78
65–74
89
41
75–84
46
2
85+
2
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1810112.2%
18 and over72887.8%
65 and over25831.1%
Median age56.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.2%
Two or more races 6.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.4%
Black or African American 1.1%
Hispanic or Latino 0.6%
Asian 0.1%
GroupCount%
White75290.2%
Two or more races556.6%
American Indian / Alaska Native121.4%
Black or African American91.1%
Hispanic or Latino50.6%
Asian10.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.0%
$10k–$15k 5.9%
$15k–$25k 9.3%
$25k–$35k 8.0%
$35k–$50k 16.2%
$50k–$75k 19.1%
$75k–$100k 9.6%
$100k–$150k 8.7%
$150k–$200k 10.3%
$200k+ 10.0%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.0%
$10k–$15k5.9%
$15k–$25k9.3%
$25k–$35k8.0%
$35k–$50k16.2%
$50k–$75k19.1%
$75k–$100k9.6%
$100k–$150k8.7%
$150k–$200k10.3%
$200k+10.0%
Median income$59,205

Housing

Home values

$50k–$100k 2.7%
$100k–$150k 2.1%
$150k–$200k 5.6%
$200k–$300k 24.0%
$300k–$500k 35.6%
$500k–$1M 22.8%
$1M+ 7.1%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$386,100
Median rent / month$979
Owner occupied76.8%
Renter occupied23.2%
Vacant58.1%
Single-family detached86.2%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes2.9%
Median rooms4.6
Avg household size (owned)1.89

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20194.1%
2000–200915.1%
1990–199917.9%
1980–198924.9%
1970–197917.8%
1960–19695.9%
1950–19593.7%
1940–19490.7%
1939 or earlier9.8%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)1.6%
1 bedroom13.5%
2 bedrooms32.6%
3 bedrooms38.1%
4 bedrooms13.1%
5+ bedrooms1.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle1.6%
1 vehicle39.0%
2 vehicles29.8%
3 or more29.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.8%
Electricity13.0%
Propane / LP gas56.9%
Wood27.3%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family21549.0%
Cohabiting couple276.2%
Male householder, no spouse6514.8%
Female householder, no spouse13230.1%
Households with children under 189321.2%
Households with seniors (65+)17940.8%
Average household size1.89

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married16.4%11.3%
Married71.0%56.3%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed3.7%16.7%
Divorced8.9%15.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 1.7%
HS graduate 15.6%
Some college, no degree 33.5%
Associate's degree 3.8%
Bachelor's degree 25.1%
Graduate / professional 20.3%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher98.3%
Bachelor's or higher45.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool86.9%
Kindergarten2319.8%
Elementary school3731.9%
High school2118.1%
College / grad school2723.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 16.2%
Professional & management 15.1%
Other services 12.0%
Retail trade 11.7%
Arts, food & hospitality 10.2%
Construction 8.4%
Transportation & utilities 7.6%
Finance & real estate 6.0%
Public administration 5.5%
Manufacturing 3.9%
Information 3.4%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts41.0%
Service29.8%
Sales & office17.0%
Natural resources & construction7.3%
Production & transportation5.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector65.8%
Government23.8%
Self-employed10.4%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone57.7%
Carpool6.6%
Public transit0.0%
Walk24.5%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)8.0

Poverty

All people 8.1%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 9.2%
Married-couple families 2.8%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security52.2%
Retirement income25.3%
Supplemental Security3.2%
Cash public assistance8.4%
Food stamps / SNAP10.5%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure29.6%
High cholesterol33.2%
Heart disease6.3%
Stroke2.8%
Asthma9.7%
Arthritis25.3%
Kidney disease2.8%
Pulmonary disease6.3%
Cancer7.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking17.5%
No physical activity16.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep27.3%
Fair or poor health10.8%
Poor mental health12.8%
Poor physical health9.4%
No health insurance9.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)68.7%
Visited dentist68.4%
Cholesterol screening92.0%
Teeth loss9.7%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans719.8%
Disability%
Any disability18.7%
Under 1811.9%
18–64 years10.9%
65 and over35.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance54.5%
Public insurance50.5%
Uninsured under 198.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only80697.2%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)82499.4%
Born in same state81998.8%
Born in different state20124.2%
Foreign born50.6%
Naturalized citizen50.6%
Not a US citizen120.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French23228%
Italian15518.7%
Arab192.3%
English101.2%
AncestryCount%
Dutch101.2%
Polish70.8%
German60.7%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access53.0%
Internet access95.9%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Lake City, CO?
Lake City, CO has one ZIP code: 81235.
What is the main ZIP code for Lake City, CO?
The primary ZIP code for Lake City, CO is 81235. The city uses area code 970 for phone service.
What county is Lake City, CO in?
Lake City is located in Hinsdale County, Colorado.
How many ZIP codes are in Lake City, CO?
Lake City, CO has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for downtown Lake City and the surrounding historic mining district?
Downtown Lake City and the historic mining areas are located in ZIP code 81235, which covers the entire town and its surrounding regions in Hinsdale County.
What ZIP code should I use when mailing packages to businesses along Lake City's main streets near the San Juan Mountains?
All mailing addresses in Lake City, including those on the main commercial corridors, use ZIP code 81235.
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