Wells ZIP Codes — Hamilton County, NY

There is one unique ZIP code in Wells, New York and it is 12190. Area code: 518/838.

ZIP codes

176.83

sq mi land

1.56

sq mi water

518/838

area code

Wells, NY ZIP code map

About Wells, NY

Wells, New York, is a charming town located in the heart of Hamilton County. Known for its stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, Wells is a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts. With a small population and a close-knit community, it offers a serene retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Location & geography

Wells is situated in the southern part of Hamilton County, New York, and is surrounded by lush landscapes and picturesque lakes. The town encompasses a land area of 176.83 square miles and has a water area of 1.56 square miles, providing ample opportunities for fishing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. Nearby cities include Speculator, approximately 11 miles to the northwest, Lake Pleasant around 16 miles to the north, and Amsterdam approximately 26 miles to the southwest.

Community & economy

The community of Wells is characterized by its friendly atmosphere and strong sense of togetherness among residents. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, with many visitors drawn to the area's beautiful natural scenery, including lakes, forests, and mountains. Daily life in Wells revolves around outdoor activities, local events, and enjoying the slow-paced lifestyle that the town offers.

Transportation

Wells is accessible via several highways, including Route 30, which serves as a main thoroughfare through the area. The nearest major airport is Albany International Airport, located about 60 miles to the south, connecting residents and visitors to other regions. Public transportation options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary means of travel.

History

Wells was founded in the early 1800s and has a rich history tied to agriculture and forestry industries. Over time, the town has evolved into a popular destination for outdoor recreation, particularly during the summer months. Notable events in its history include the establishment of local festivals that celebrate its natural resources and community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Wells is that it is part of the Adirondack Park, which is the largest protected area in the contiguous United States. The town also boasts numerous hiking trails and access to pristine lakes, making it a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

ZIP codes for Wells, NY (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
12190	Wells	Hamilton	View map

Demographics & statistics

641

Population

48.8

Median age

$53,977

Median household income

$26,208

Per capita income

$196,200

Median home value

$758

Median monthly rent

83.3%

Home ownership

4.8%

Poverty rate

7.2%

Unemployment

665

Housing units

13.7%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	153	23.9%
18 and over	488	76.1%
65 and over	95	14.8%
Median age	48.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 98.1%

Black or African American 0.9%

Hispanic or Latino 0.5%

Other race 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	632	98.1%
Black or African American	6	0.9%
Hispanic or Latino	3	0.5%
Other race	3	0.5%

Household income

$10k–$15k 1.5%

$15k–$25k 8.4%

$25k–$35k 7.9%

$35k–$50k 29.1%

$50k–$75k 7.4%

$75k–$100k 26.6%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$200k+ 3.9%

Range	% of households
$10k–$15k	1.5%
$15k–$25k	8.4%
$25k–$35k	7.9%
$35k–$50k	29.1%
$50k–$75k	7.4%
$75k–$100k	26.6%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$200k+	3.9%
Median income	$53,977

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.1%

$50k–$100k 9.5%

$100k–$150k 12.4%

$150k–$200k 23.1%

$200k–$300k 21.3%

$300k–$500k 18.3%

$500k–$1M 8.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$196,200
Median rent / month	$758
Owner occupied	83.3%
Renter occupied	16.7%
Vacant	71.0%
Single-family detached	81.1%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	18.0%
Median rooms	4.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.73

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.2%
2000–2009	18.2%
1990–1999	8.9%
1980–1989	8.0%
1970–1979	13.3%
1960–1969	14.7%
1950–1959	12.2%
1940–1949	6.6%
1939 or earlier	13.0%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	6.6%
1 bedroom	15.7%
2 bedrooms	28.2%
3 bedrooms	34.6%
4 bedrooms	13.3%
5+ bedrooms	1.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	11.3%
2 vehicles	58.1%
3 or more	30.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Electricity	9.4%
Propane / LP gas	24.1%
Fuel oil	44.3%
Wood	22.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	134	66.0%
Cohabiting couple	7	3.4%
Male householder, no spouse	26	12.8%
Female householder, no spouse	36	17.7%
Households with children under 18	81	39.9%
Households with seniors (65+)	66	32.5%
Average household size	2.97

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	40.4%	16.3%
Married	50.2%	57.8%
Separated	0.0%	5.2%
Widowed	2.2%	3.7%
Divorced	7.2%	17.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 6.4%

Some HS, no diploma 18.9%

HS graduate 32.2%

Some college, no degree 21.4%

Associate's degree 7.5%

Bachelor's degree 7.7%

Graduate / professional 5.9%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	74.7%
Bachelor's or higher	13.7%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	0	0.0%
Kindergarten	11	8.5%
Elementary school	29	22.5%
High school	72	55.8%
College / grad school	17	13.2%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 20.5%

Public administration 16.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 16.4%

Professional & management 15.5%

Retail trade 9.6%

Construction 7.8%

Other services 6.8%

Information 5.0%

Finance & real estate 1.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	31.5%
Service	26.0%
Sales & office	22.4%
Natural resources & construction	7.8%
Production & transportation	12.3%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	44.3%
Government	43.4%
Self-employed	11.0%
Unpaid family workers	1.4%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	88.6%
Carpool	0.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.3%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	44.7

Poverty

All people 4.8%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 6.4%

Married-couple families 0.0%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	32.5%
Retirement income	26.1%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	6.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	39.8%
High cholesterol	37.9%
Heart disease	9.8%
Stroke	4.7%
Asthma	11.4%
Arthritis	32.5%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	11.8%
Cancer	8.4%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	14.6%
No physical activity	30.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.3%
Fair or poor health	19.3%
Poor mental health	15.5%
Poor physical health	14.5%
No health insurance	12.9%
Visited doctor (checkup)	79.8%
Visited dentist	57.6%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	20.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	71	14.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.2%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	15.5%
65 and over	45.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	70.0%
Public insurance	37.3%
Uninsured under 19	0.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	600	93.6%
Spanish	10	1.7%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	10	1.7%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	637	99.4%
Born in same state	637	99.4%
Born in different state	538	83.9%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	4	0.6%
Not a US citizen	4	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	277	43.2%
French	57	8.9%
Italian	53	8.3%
English	28	4.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	18	2.8%
German	8	1.2%
Norwegian	4	0.6%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	31.7%
Internet access	92.6%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Wells, NY have?

Wells, NY has one ZIP code: 12190. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.