Thoreau ZIP Code List — Mckinley County, NM

There is one unique ZIP code in Thoreau, New Mexico and it is 87323. Area code: 505.

ZIP codes

295.22

sq mi land

1.11

sq mi water

505

area code

Thoreau, NM ZIP code map

About Thoreau, NM

Thoreau is a small, yet vibrant community located in the state of New Mexico. Nestled in McKinley County, this city offers a unique glimpse into the culture and landscape of the American Southwest. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty and rich history, Thoreau provides a peaceful environment for its residents and visitors alike.

Location & geography

Thoreau is positioned strategically within New Mexico, making it accessible to neighboring regions. It is approximately 16 miles east of Gallup and situated near major highways, providing easy routes to surrounding areas. Covering a total area of 295.22 square miles, with a water area of 1.11 square miles, the terrain is predominantly arid with a mix of mesas and open spaces.

Community & economy

The community of Thoreau is characterized by its close-knit atmosphere and welcoming spirit. Predominantly engaged in industries such as agriculture and tourism, residents contribute to the local economy through various small businesses and services. Daily life in Thoreau reflects a blend of Native American culture and the traditions of the American Southwest, making it a unique place to live and visit.

Transportation

Thoreau is well-connected by transportation, with Interstate 40 running nearby, facilitating travel to larger cities and attractions. The nearest major airport is Gallup Municipal Airport, located about 20 miles west. Public transit options are limited, but the town's layout allows for convenient travel by personal vehicle.

History

Thoreau was established in the early 20th century primarily as a railway town, catering to the growing needs of the region's transportation industry. Over the years, it developed into a hub for local agriculture and commerce, serving the surrounding communities. One notable event in its history was the founding of the Thoreau Native American Coffee Company, which highlights the town's continuing connection to its Native American heritage.

Did you know?

A lesser-known fact about Thoreau is that it serves as one of the gateways to the scenic beauty of the Zuni Mountains. Additionally, the town's ZIP code, 87323, is a prime reference for travelers navigating the area.

ZIP codes for Thoreau, NM (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
87323	Thoreau	Mckinley	View map

Demographics & statistics

4,345

Population

37.6

Median age

$35,670

Median household income

$18,249

Per capita income

$91,600

Median home value

$857

Median monthly rent

91.0%

Home ownership

49.4%

Poverty rate

16.3%

Unemployment

1,976

Housing units

16.0%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

134

Under 5

107

192

5–9

153

168

10–14

134

314

15–19

250

147

20–24

117

201

25–34

160

250

35–44

200

241

45–54

192

55–59

169

60–64

134

344

65–74

274

140

75–84

112

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,212	27.9%
18 and over	3,133	72.1%
65 and over	916	21.1%
Median age	37.6 years

Race & ethnicity

American Indian / Alaska Native 74.1%

White 19.7%

Two or more races 4.4%

Hispanic or Latino 0.9%

Asian 0.6%

Black or African American 0.2%

Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 0.1%

Group	Count	%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3,249	74.1%
White	863	19.7%
Two or more races	192	4.4%
Hispanic or Latino	40	0.9%
Asian	25	0.6%
Black or African American	10	0.2%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander	6	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 11.7%

$10k–$15k 8.1%

$15k–$25k 18.0%

$25k–$35k 11.7%

$35k–$50k 7.9%

$50k–$75k 21.7%

$75k–$100k 4.6%

$100k–$150k 10.6%

$150k–$200k 5.0%

$200k+ 0.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	11.7%
$10k–$15k	8.1%
$15k–$25k	18.0%
$25k–$35k	11.7%
$35k–$50k	7.9%
$50k–$75k	21.7%
$75k–$100k	4.6%
$100k–$150k	10.6%
$150k–$200k	5.0%
$200k+	0.8%
Median income	$35,670

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 31.1%

$50k–$100k 22.5%

$100k–$150k 22.4%

$150k–$200k 11.4%

$200k–$300k 6.6%

$300k–$500k 3.1%

$500k–$1M 0.3%

$1M+ 2.5%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$91,600
Median rent / month	$857
Owner occupied	91.0%
Renter occupied	9.0%
Vacant	30.8%
Single-family detached	61.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	35.6%
Median rooms	4.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.94

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.2%
2000–2009	15.9%
1990–1999	34.4%
1980–1989	18.1%
1970–1979	15.6%
1960–1969	6.3%
1950–1959	4.8%
1940–1949	0.0%
1939 or earlier	0.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	7.0%
1 bedroom	6.4%
2 bedrooms	33.4%
3 bedrooms	38.3%
4 bedrooms	12.6%
5+ bedrooms	2.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	13.4%
1 vehicle	34.1%
2 vehicles	24.9%
3 or more	27.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	9.1%
Electricity	6.3%
Propane / LP gas	22.8%
Wood	59.8%
No fuel used	0.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	698	47.8%
Cohabiting couple	94	6.4%
Male householder, no spouse	373	25.6%
Female householder, no spouse	294	20.2%
Households with children under 18	461	31.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	667	45.7%
Average household size	2.98

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	44.5%	44.3%
Married	41.2%	40.0%
Separated	2.5%	1.4%
Widowed	2.6%	10.6%
Divorced	9.3%	3.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 10.3%

Some HS, no diploma 16.3%

HS graduate 33.7%

Some college, no degree 20.5%

Associate's degree 3.2%

Bachelor's degree 5.6%

Graduate / professional 10.3%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	73.4%
Bachelor's or higher	16.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	8	0.8%
Kindergarten	104	10.8%
Elementary school	332	34.4%
High school	378	39.2%
College / grad school	142	14.7%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 31.0%

Transportation & utilities 15.6%

Construction 11.5%

Retail trade 9.3%

Public administration 8.0%

Agriculture & mining 6.2%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.7%

Professional & management 5.1%

Manufacturing 3.1%

Other services 1.7%

Finance & real estate 1.4%

Wholesale trade 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	19.3%
Service	20.6%
Sales & office	20.5%
Natural resources & construction	24.6%
Production & transportation	14.9%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.9%
Government	21.2%
Self-employed	6.9%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	68.2%
Carpool	10.2%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	4.8%
Other means	2.3%
Avg commute (minutes)	41.2

Poverty

All people 49.4%

Under 18 years 76.2%

18 and over 39.1%

Married-couple families 29.1%

Female-led households 49.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	47.2%
Retirement income	24.3%
Supplemental Security	13.8%
Cash public assistance	4.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	28.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	36.4%
High cholesterol	28.8%
Heart disease	9.3%
Stroke	6.3%
Asthma	14.8%
Arthritis	25.3%
Kidney disease	4.9%
Pulmonary disease	12.3%
Cancer	5.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	13.4%
No physical activity	30.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.8%
Fair or poor health	28.3%
Poor mental health	21.4%
Poor physical health	19.2%
No health insurance	13.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)	64.9%
Visited dentist	45.9%
Cholesterol screening	80.7%
Teeth loss	32.1%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	318	10.2%

Disability	%
Any disability	22.2%
Under 18	5.9%
18–64 years	13.9%
65 and over	63.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	19.8%
Public insurance	72.7%
Uninsured under 19	9.8%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	4,104	94.5%
Spanish	412	10.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	9	0.2%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	4,320	99.4%
Born in same state	4,303	99.0%
Born in different state	3,254	74.9%
Foreign born	17	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	25	0.6%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	281	6.5%
Italian	119	2.7%
English	88	2%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	88	2%
Polish	72	1.7%
Dutch	37	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	33.6%
Internet access	80.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Thoreau, NM?

Thoreau, NM has one ZIP code: 87323.

What is the main ZIP code for Thoreau, NM?

The primary ZIP code for Thoreau, NM is 87323. The city uses area code 505 for phone service.

What county is Thoreau, NM in?

Thoreau is located in Mckinley County, New Mexico.

How many ZIP codes are in Thoreau, NM?

Thoreau, NM has 1 ZIP code.

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

The downtown area of Thoreau, New Mexico is located in ZIP code 87323, which serves as the primary commercial and civic center for this McKinley County community.

What ZIP code should I use when mailing correspondence to businesses in Thoreau, NM?

All businesses and residences in Thoreau, New Mexico use the ZIP code 87323, as it is the single ZIP code designated for this entire city in McKinley County.