| City: | Waterville Valley, New Hampshire |
| City Alias: | Watervl Vly |
| Names to Avoid: | Waterville Vly |
| County: | Grafton County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:56:17 PM |
| Population: | 510 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 603 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 43.9463, -71.4653 |
| Land Area: | 192.225 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Waterville Valley sits in New Hampshire's White Mountains, a ski resort community where seasonal properties outnumber year-round residents by nearly 4 to 1. Of 1,059 total housing units, 806 are vacant seasonally (76%). Only 228 households stay year-round. The population of 510 permanent residents climbs dramatically during ski season as second homeowners and vacationers arrive.
The post office maintains 400 PO Boxes for 228 occupied households, a 1.75x adoption rate that shows how this facility serves both permanent residents and seasonal property owners. Many second homeowners keep boxes year-round to receive tax bills, property management correspondence, and package deliveries even when they're not in residence. With a median age of 56.6 years and median household income of $103,333, this is a retirement and vacation community, not a working village.
Street names tell the story of a purpose-built ski resort. Village Road, Ski Area Road, and Valley Road form the core. Neighborhoods branch into Avalanche Way, Noon Peak Road, Snows Mountain Road, and Cascade Ridge Road. European resort names appear in Davos Way, Innsbruck Way, and Kloster Way. Natural features dominate: Bear Brook Lane, Drakes Brook Road, Upper Mad River Road.
Mail arrives by rural carrier routes serving 63 distinct streets across 67.6 square miles of mountainous terrain. The ZIP has street delivery via 2 rural routes covering these dispersed homes and condominiums. Most addresses use standard street delivery, but the high PO Box count accommodates seasonal owners who need secure mail storage when properties sit empty for months. This isn't a PO Box Only Zone. Street delivery is available.
With 24 business establishments employing 578 workers, the local economy runs on tourism. Work patterns show this: 18.1% work from home (24 people), likely remote professionals living in the mountains. Transportation and warehousing employ 75 workers, probably ski area operations and delivery services for the resort. Public administration employs 34, managing town services for a population that swells seasonally.
Median home values reach $376,800, and 88% of occupied units are owner-occupied (201 of 228). Educational attainment is high: 70.2% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. These are affluent professionals who chose mountain living for retirement or as a second-home escape.
Street names combine ski resort marketing (Avalanche, Noon Peak, Ski Area), European alpine references (Davos, Innsbruck, Kloster), and White Mountain natural features (Bear Brook, Drakes Brook, Upper Mad River).
ZIP Code 03215 has 510 residents and 228 households (average 2.24 persons per household). The median age is 56.6 years, significantly older than the state (43.6) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 53.5% male and 46.5% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.7%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (2.2%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.2%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More: Population Over Time By Age & Gender By Race By Gender Nativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 510Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 290Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 2.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $105,625Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 228Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $562,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.24Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.88Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 428 | 318 | 240 | 260 | 214 | 186 | 191 | 183 | 186 | 230 | 198 | 248 | 269 | 290 |
| Decennial Census | 247 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 510 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56.6
Male Median Age: 55.5
Female Median Age: 57.6
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 5 | 12 | 10 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 2 |
| Female | 6 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 21 | 28 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 3 |
| Total | 11 | 23 | 16 | 28 | 28 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 47 | 60 | 61 | 54 | 39 | 27 | 25 | 5 |
| White: | 473 | 94.22% |
| Black: | 4 | 0.80% |
| Hispanic:* | 11 | 2.19% |
| Asian: | 7 | 1.39% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 7 | 1.39% |
| Total: | 502 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 273 | 53.53% | 55.5 years |
| Females: | 237 | 46.47% | 57.6 years |
| Total: | 510 | 100% | 56.6 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 265 | 91.38% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 6 | 2.07% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 19 | 6.55% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 6.55% |
| Total Population: | 290 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 271 | 93.45% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 19 | 6.55% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $105,625, which is markedly greater than the national median ($78,538), is up $6,875 (7.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $625. Family households earn a median of $151,094 versus $64,375 for nonfamily households (a difference of $86,719). By gender, male median income is $78,977 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $78,977 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 44.2%, which is much lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (62.4%).
Explore More: Income Over Time Household Income Employment Status By Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $98,750 | $52,159 | $73,472 | $73,750 | $87,500 | $88,500 | $98,125 | $106,250 | $105,000 | $76,750 | $83,281 | $89,276 | $103,333 | $105,625 |
| Median Family Income | $104,943 | $133,750 | $105,526 | $107,763 | $110,625 | $138,750 | $119,688 | $165,000 | $137,250 | $122,813 | $130,938 | $109,375 | $152,813 | $151,094 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $20,000 | $22,000 | $31,250 | $33,036 | $42,750 | $40,000 | $0 | $85,000 | $0 | $0 | $59,167 | $68,438 | $72,500 | $64,375 |
| Median Male Income | $72,361 | $105,729 | $74,375 | $93,750 | $0 | $125,625 | $153,125 | $156,250 | $159,688 | $158,750 | $128,250 | $139,250 | $87,750 | $78,977 |
| Median Female Income | $165,893 | $0 | $0 | $90,500 | $0 | $84,375 | $93,333 | $96,500 | $103,750 | $0 | $94,375 | $45,625 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 117 | 44.15% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 148 | 55.85% |
| Total: | 265 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 73 | 62.39% |
| Service: | 33 | 28.21% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 11 | 9.40% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 117 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $562,500, which is much higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $110,400 (24.42%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $219,900. The median gross rent is $1,150, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,348), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,150. Of occupied housing, owners make up 81.48% (33.64% with a mortgage, 66.36% free-and-clear) and renters 18.52% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 87.55%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More: Compare Home Value Home Value Over Time Rent & Over Time Housing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $452,100 | $378,000 | $385,500 | $425,000 | $383,300 | $333,300 | $358,600 | $368,200 | $342,600 | $363,300 | $359,100 | $363,500 | $376,800 | $562,500 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 6 | 24.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 12 | 48.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 7 | 28.00% |
| Total: | 25 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,047 | $1,036 | $0 | $1,021 | $1,150 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 37 | 27.41% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 73 | 54.07% |
| Renter Occupied: | 25 | 18.52% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 135 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 135 | 12.45% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 949 | 87.55% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,084 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 510 | 47.05% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 574 | 52.95% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,084 | 100% |
In 2024, 71.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 2.10%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 85.20%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). The share of people in poverty is 5.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 6.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 6.70 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (86.21%). College enrollment is 3.45%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More: Educational Attainment Health Insurance Poverty Over Time School Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 16 | 6.13% |
| Some college, no degree: | 37 | 14.18% |
| Associate's degree: | 21 | 8.05% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 79 | 30.27% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 108 | 41.38% |
| Total: | 261 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 261 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 187 | 71.65% |
| Private Insurance: | 247 | 65.34% |
| Public Insurance: | 125 | 33.07% |
| No Insurance: | 6 | 1.59% |
| Total: | 378 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 372 | 98.41% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 6.7% | 5.9% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 25 | 86.21% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 3 | 10.34% |
| College or graduate school: | 1 | 3.45% |
| Total: | 29 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 28 | 96.55% |
ZIP Code 03215 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 23 business establishments, employing about 574 people with an annual payroll of $13,099,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 444Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 23Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $4,184,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $13,099,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 574Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 03215 is located in Grafton County, New Hampshire, within the Lebanon-Claremont, NH-VT Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 30150) and New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 03215. It covers 192.225 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.5 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Lebanon-Claremont, NH-VTSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 30150Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 192.225 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.5 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 6489 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
ZIP Code 03215 is in the Waterville Valley School District, which serves grades Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public schools and 1 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on March 1, 2026.