Portola ZIP Codes — Plumas County, CA

There is one unique ZIP code in Portola, California and it is 96122. Area code: 530.

ZIP codes

64.03

sq mi land

0.01

sq mi water

530

area code

Portola, CA ZIP code map

About Portola, CA

Portola is a charming city located in California's Plumas County. Nestled in the scenic Sierra Nevada region, it offers a serene atmosphere and stunning natural beauty. With a variety of outdoor activities available, Portola is a great destination for both residents and tourists alike.

Location & geography

Portola is situated approximately 12 miles east of the larger town of Quincy and around 25 miles northwest of Truckee. This small city covers a total land area of 64.03 square miles, with just a minor water area of 0.01 square miles. The terrain in this region features picturesque mountains and forests, providing numerous opportunities for hiking and other outdoor pursuits.

Community & economy

The character of Portola is defined by its close-knit community and small-town charm. The local economy is largely supported by industries such as tourism, outdoor recreation, and agriculture, reflecting the town's proximity to nature. Daily life in Portola often revolves around community events, outdoor activities, and the appreciation of local art and culture.

Transportation

Portola is easily accessible via California State Route 70, which connects it to other major highways in the region. The nearest major airport is the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, located about 60 miles to the southeast. Public transit options are limited, primarily serving the immediate needs of the local community.

History

Portola was founded in the late 19th century, originally serving as a resource hub for the surrounding mining and logging industries. Over the years, it has transitioned to a community focused on tourism and outdoor recreation, attracting visitors to its natural landscapes. Key events in its history include the growth of the railroad in the early 1900s, which significantly influenced its development.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Portola is that it is home to the annual Portola Railroad Days celebration, which honors the city's rich railroad heritage. Another lesser-known detail is that Portola is not only a gateway to beautiful outdoor activities but also a site for unique local art displays and cultural events.

ZIP codes for Portola, CA (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
96122	Portola	Plumas	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,121

Population

47.8

Median age

$53,764

Median household income

$33,514

Per capita income

$219,100

Median home value

$866

Median monthly rent

67.3%

Home ownership

13.7%

Poverty rate

10.3%

Unemployment

1,920

Housing units

13.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

125

Under 5

125

113

5–9

113

122

10–14

122

15–19

20–24

199

25–34

199

310

35–44

310

213

45–54

213

204

55–59

204

187

60–64

187

329

65–74

329

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	777	18.9%
18 and over	3,344	81.1%
65 and over	896	21.7%
Median age	47.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 85.7%

Two or more races 5.7%

American Indian / Alaska Native 4.2%

Hispanic or Latino 4%

Asian 0.2%

Other race 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	3,678	85.7%
Two or more races	245	5.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native	181	4.2%
Hispanic or Latino	173	4%
Asian	10	0.2%
Other race	7	0.2%

Household income

Under $10k 4.7%

$10k–$15k 3.8%

$15k–$25k 13.5%

$25k–$35k 6.3%

$35k–$50k 13.8%

$50k–$75k 22.0%

$75k–$100k 14.5%

$100k–$150k 11.3%

$150k–$200k 3.2%

$200k+ 6.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.7%
$10k–$15k	3.8%
$15k–$25k	13.5%
$25k–$35k	6.3%
$35k–$50k	13.8%
$50k–$75k	22.0%
$75k–$100k	14.5%
$100k–$150k	11.3%
$150k–$200k	3.2%
$200k+	6.8%
Median income	$53,764

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 2.8%

$50k–$100k 1.9%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 24.0%

$200k–$300k 27.7%

$300k–$500k 13.5%

$500k–$1M 10.8%

$1M+ 3.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$219,100
Median rent / month	$866
Owner occupied	67.3%
Renter occupied	32.7%
Vacant	27.6%
Single-family detached	60.2%
Large apartment buildings	6.2%
Mobile homes	25.0%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.24

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	2.4%
2000–2009	8.5%
1990–1999	22.5%
1980–1989	12.2%
1970–1979	21.5%
1960–1969	10.5%
1950–1959	7.1%
1940–1949	5.0%
1939 or earlier	10.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.7%
1 bedroom	12.0%
2 bedrooms	42.4%
3 bedrooms	36.2%
4 bedrooms	5.4%
5+ bedrooms	0.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	7.7%
1 vehicle	28.5%
2 vehicles	39.2%
3 or more	24.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	2.9%
Electricity	18.1%
Propane / LP gas	16.8%
Fuel oil	13.1%
Wood	45.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	867	47.6%
Cohabiting couple	233	12.8%
Male householder, no spouse	393	21.6%
Female householder, no spouse	329	18.1%
Households with children under 18	428	23.5%
Households with seniors (65+)	697	38.3%
Average household size	2.22

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	26.7%	22.1%
Married	49.8%	49.3%
Separated	1.3%	0.5%
Widowed	6.0%	5.7%
Divorced	16.2%	22.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.5%

Some HS, no diploma 3.3%

HS graduate 31.5%

Some college, no degree 38.6%

Associate's degree 13.0%

Bachelor's degree 10.2%

Graduate / professional 2.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.2%
Bachelor's or higher	13.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	33	4.5%
Kindergarten	34	4.6%
Elementary school	436	59.2%
High school	86	11.7%
College / grad school	147	20.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 17.8%

Public administration 11.3%

Transportation & utilities 10.3%

Construction 8.0%

Professional & management 8.0%

Manufacturing 7.8%

Other services 6.7%

Agriculture & mining 5.4%

Retail trade 5.0%

Finance & real estate 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	25.8%
Service	33.8%
Sales & office	13.2%
Natural resources & construction	11.9%
Production & transportation	15.4%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	62.3%
Government	22.1%
Self-employed	15.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	61.6%
Carpool	17.1%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	15.3%
Other means	1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	24.9

Poverty

All people 13.7%

Under 18 years 23.6%

18 and over 11.4%

Married-couple families 2.3%

Female-led households 49.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	37.1%
Retirement income	30.0%
Supplemental Security	4.7%
Cash public assistance	1.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	16.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	32.1%
High cholesterol	33.5%
Heart disease	7.0%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	10.4%
Arthritis	26.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.5%
Cancer	7.5%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	18.3%
No physical activity	19.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	31.8%
Fair or poor health	14.3%
Poor mental health	14.9%
Poor physical health	11.2%
No health insurance	9.1%
Visited doctor (checkup)	69.0%
Visited dentist	67.4%
Cholesterol screening	92.2%
Teeth loss	10.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	516	15.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	17.9%
Under 18	1.9%
18–64 years	13.3%
65 and over	44.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	44.6%
Public insurance	64.9%
Uninsured under 19	2.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	3,872	94.0%
Spanish	186	4.8%
Other Indo-European	124	3.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	62	1.6%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	3,776	91.6%
Born in same state	3,766	91.4%
Born in different state	2,644	64.2%
Foreign born	10	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	345	8.4%
Not a US citizen	233	67.5%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	661	16%
Italian	269	6.5%
Arab	219	5.3%

Ancestry	Count	%
German	83	2%
Polish	26	0.6%
Dutch	7	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	44.2%
Internet access	89.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Portola, CA have?

Portola, CA has one ZIP code: 96122. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.