Loving ZIP Code List — Eddy County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Loving, New Mexico and it is 88256. Area code: 575.
1
ZIP codes
481.65
sq mi land
5.99
sq mi water
575
area code
Loving, NM ZIP code map

About Loving, NM

Loving is a small, unincorporated community located in Eddy County, New Mexico. Known for its close-knit environment, Loving offers a unique glimpse into rural life in the American Southwest. Despite its modest size, the community possesses a rich cultural heritage deeply intertwined with the history of the region.

Location & geography

Situated within the southeastern part of New Mexico, Loving is surrounded by expansive desert landscapes and rolling hills. Nearby cities include Carlsbad, approximately 22 miles to the southeast, and Artesia, around 24 miles to the northeast. The town spans a significant land area of 481.65 square miles, along with 5.99 square miles of water, contributing to its vast, open environment.

Community & economy

Loving's community is characterized by its friendly residents, who value their small-town lifestyle and often engage in local gatherings and events. The primary industries in the area consist of agriculture and oil production, reflecting the broader economic activities of Eddy County. Daily life in Loving typically revolves around community events, schools, and local businesses that cater to residents' needs.

Transportation

Loving is accessible via New Mexico State Road 31, which connects the community to nearby towns and larger highways. The nearest airport is the Cavern City Air Terminal, located about 22 miles away in Carlsbad. Public transit options are limited, enhancing the town's rural charm.

History

Loving was founded in the early 20th century, named after Oliver Loving, a cattle rancher and trailblazer. The town initially flourished due to the livestock industry, but in recent years it has adapted to the evolving economic landscape of New Mexico. Notable events in its history include various agricultural fairs and celebrations that highlight local culture and community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Loving is that it has only one ZIP code, 88256, which reflects its small size. Additionally, the town is often overlooked despite its unique desert landscape and friendly atmosphere.

ZIP codes for Loving, NM (1)
ZIP code City County Map
88256 Loving Eddy View map

Demographics & statistics

2,075
Population
35.2
Median age
$58,625
Median household income
$26,066
Per capita income
$164,200
Median home value
$1,170
Median monthly rent
80.9%
Home ownership
12.8%
Poverty rate
6.4%
Unemployment
728
Housing units
7.6%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
99
Under 5
107
56
5–9
60
98
10–14
105
94
15–19
102
53
20–24
57
96
25–34
103
138
35–44
148
113
45–54
122
44
55–59
47
37
60–64
40
115
65–74
125
47
75–84
50
9
85+
10
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1862230.0%
18 and over1,45370.0%
65 and over35617.2%
Median age35.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 59.9%
Hispanic or Latino 19.9%
Two or more races 18.4%
Other race 1.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
GroupCount%
White1,55159.9%
Hispanic or Latino51619.9%
Two or more races47818.4%
Other race381.5%
American Indian / Alaska Native80.3%

Household income

Under $10k 6.7%
$10k–$15k 7.4%
$15k–$25k 12.0%
$25k–$35k 9.1%
$35k–$50k 10.1%
$50k–$75k 17.1%
$75k–$100k 11.3%
$100k–$150k 18.5%
$150k–$200k 2.7%
$200k+ 5.1%
Range% of households
Under $10k6.7%
$10k–$15k7.4%
$15k–$25k12.0%
$25k–$35k9.1%
$35k–$50k10.1%
$50k–$75k17.1%
$75k–$100k11.3%
$100k–$150k18.5%
$150k–$200k2.7%
$200k+5.1%
Median income$58,625

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.0%
$50k–$100k 20.0%
$100k–$150k 17.7%
$150k–$200k 14.3%
$200k–$300k 13.8%
$300k–$500k 21.8%
$500k–$1M 1.6%
$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$164,200
Median rent / month$1,170
Owner occupied80.9%
Renter occupied19.1%
Vacant19.7%
Single-family detached63.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes33.8%
Median rooms5.2
Avg household size (owned)2.83

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20199.1%
2000–20096.0%
1990–199916.3%
1980–198918.4%
1970–197916.2%
1960–196910.1%
1950–19599.4%
1940–19498.4%
1939 or earlier6.2%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom3.8%
2 bedrooms28.8%
3 bedrooms50.1%
4 bedrooms12.8%
5+ bedrooms4.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.5%
1 vehicle25.9%
2 vehicles31.1%
3 or more38.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas45.0%
Electricity45.6%
Propane / LP gas5.5%
Wood3.9%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family42962.1%
Cohabiting couple152.2%
Male householder, no spouse11316.4%
Female householder, no spouse13419.4%
Households with children under 1827940.4%
Households with seniors (65+)27539.8%
Average household size3.00

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married29.0%21.3%
Married57.0%62.1%
Separated1.5%0.0%
Widowed4.9%7.9%
Divorced7.6%8.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.2%
Some HS, no diploma 17.5%
HS graduate 40.3%
Some college, no degree 24.4%
Associate's degree 8.0%
Bachelor's degree 1.5%
Graduate / professional 6.1%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher80.3%
Bachelor's or higher7.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool284.6%
Kindergarten345.6%
Elementary school21134.5%
High school15926.0%
College / grad school18029.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 25.7%
Retail trade 19.5%
Education & healthcare 16.1%
Transportation & utilities 11.9%
Professional & management 7.6%
Public administration 4.7%
Other services 4.1%
Construction 3.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 2.9%
Manufacturing 1.5%
Finance & real estate 1.5%
Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts26.5%
Service8.7%
Sales & office21.5%
Natural resources & construction12.3%
Production & transportation31.1%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector74.9%
Government14.4%
Self-employed10.7%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone83.6%
Carpool10.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk3.0%
Other means1.6%
Avg commute (minutes)25.9

Poverty

All people 12.8%
Under 18 years 9.5%
18 and over 14.1%
Married-couple families 11.7%
Female-led households 54.8%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security37.9%
Retirement income17.5%
Supplemental Security2.3%
Cash public assistance1.7%
Food stamps / SNAP16.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure32.8%
High cholesterol31.5%
Heart disease6.1%
Stroke2.9%
Asthma9.7%
Arthritis22.1%
Kidney disease3.2%
Pulmonary disease5.4%
Cancer5.0%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking14.0%
No physical activity28.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep33.0%
Fair or poor health17.5%
Poor mental health14.2%
Poor physical health11.5%
No health insurance18.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)68.8%
Visited dentist56.6%
Cholesterol screening86.1%
Teeth loss13.8%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans765.2%
Disability%
Any disability11.7%
Under 188.7%
18–64 years8.3%
65 and over27.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance58.1%
Public insurance38.6%
Uninsured under 1911.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,86990.1%
Spanish1578.4%
Other Indo-European1578.4%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,90791.9%
Born in same state1,89891.5%
Born in different state1,48871.7%
Foreign born90.4%
Naturalized citizen1688.1%
Not a US citizen8047.6%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab1125.4%
French512.5%
AncestryCount%
Italian321.5%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access33.3%
Internet access83.1%

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

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Loving, NM?
Loving, NM has one ZIP code: 88256.
What is the main ZIP code for Loving, NM?
The primary ZIP code for Loving, NM is 88256. The city uses area code 575 for phone service.
What county is Loving, NM in?
Loving is located in Eddy County, New Mexico.
How many ZIP codes are in Loving, NM?
Loving, NM has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for the main residential area of Loving, New Mexico?
The primary ZIP code for Loving, New Mexico is 88256, which covers the entire city located in Eddy County.
If I'm mailing a letter to a business in downtown Loving, NM, what ZIP code should I use?
You should use ZIP code 88256 for any addresses in downtown Loving, as this is the sole ZIP code serving the city.
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