| City: | Hamel, Illinois |
| County: | Madison County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:16:11 AM |
| Population: | 913 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 618 / 730 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 38.8945, -89.8435 |
| Land Area: | 1.063 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Hamel is a small rural community in Madison County, Illinois, with 913 residents spread across less than one square mile. This is a PO Box Only Zone. Street delivery doesn't exist here, making the Hamel post office the only option for receiving mail.
The post office maintains 424 PO Boxes for a community of 367 households. That's a PO Box adoption rate of 1.16, meaning the office serves more addresses than there are local homes. Residents from surrounding rural areas rely on this facility.
Rural carrier routes handle what limited delivery exists. Two rural routes serve the area, with addresses along roads like Old US Route 66 (both north and south sections), Hamel Avenue, and Wolf Avenue. One apartment building on Wolf Avenue is the only multi-unit housing.
This is a working-class community. Median household income is $96,750, and median home values sit at $229,600. Most residents (83%) own their homes rather than rent. The population is 92% white, with a median age of 36.9 years. About 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Old US Route 66 runs through Hamel. The historic highway split the town into north and south sections. Street names preserve the town's character, with avenues named after local families like Wolf, Miller, Cook, and Meyer.
Hamel sits just outside Edwardsville, which is within a mile. The St. Louis metropolitan area extends into this part of Madison County, but Hamel retains its small-town identity. Business establishments total 35, employing 438 people, indicating this is more of a residential community than an employment center.
All mail to Hamel addresses must use a PO Box. The format is:
PO Box [Number]
Hamel, IL 62046Rural route addresses exist but are served by carrier delivery to roadside mailboxes, not door-to-door service.
Street names honor local families (Wolf, Miller, Cook, Meyer) and preserve the path of historic Route 66 through town.
ZIP Code 62046 has 913 residents and 367 households (average 2.49 persons per household). The median age is 36.9 years, slightly younger than the state (38.8) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.8% male and 52.2% female, which is slightly lower than the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.4%, much higher than the state average of 61.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (1.0%, much lower than the state average of 14.1% and well below the national average of 12.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 913Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,102Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 858.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $108,036Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 367Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $250,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.49Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.59Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 440 | 577 | 743 | 750 | 773 | 900 | 783 | 769 | 709 | 748 | 884 | 919 | 974 | 1,102 |
| Decennial Census | 713 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 913 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 36.9
Male Median Age: 37.3
Female Median Age: 36.8
| 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 | 23 | 28 | 43 | 28 | 21 | 19 | 38 | 29 | 34 | 40 | 32 | 23 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Female | 32 | 36 | 35 | 32 | 24 | 25 | 42 | 33 | 26 | 35 | 31 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 7 | 15 |
| Total | 55 | 64 | 78 | 60 | 45 | 44 | 80 | 62 | 60 | 75 | 63 | 48 | 43 | 37 | 37 | 28 | 14 | 20 |
| White: | 844 | 96.90% |
| Black: | 9 | 1.03% |
| Hispanic:* | 9 | 1.03% |
| Asian: | 6 | 0.69% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 0.34% |
| Total: | 871 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 436 | 47.75% | 37.3 years |
| Females: | 477 | 52.25% | 36.8 years |
| Total: | 913 | 100% | 36.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,082 | 98.19% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 4 | 0.36% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 16 | 1.81% |
| Total Population: | 1,102 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,082 | 98.19% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 20 | 1.81% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $108,036, which is much higher than the national median ($80,734), is up $42,203 (64.1%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $37,867. Family households earn a median of $126,000 versus $47,750 for nonfamily households (a difference of $78,250). By gender, male median income is $80,536 and female is $66,875, which is considerably higher than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $13,661 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 67.1%, which is well above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.7%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (46.7%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $65,833 | $78,125 | $83,281 | $81,250 | $74,167 | $76,042 | $68,056 | $66,250 | $70,169 | $70,000 | $71,333 | $83,906 | $96,750 | $108,036 |
| Median Family Income | $87,875 | $91,484 | $91,528 | $87,321 | $87,857 | $81,071 | $72,500 | $72,202 | $74,545 | $88,750 | $103,750 | $122,500 | $128,500 | $126,000 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $47,679 | $39,643 | $49,531 | $51,125 | $39,286 | $39,375 | $36,346 | $32,500 | $29,861 | $24,375 | $31,000 | $45,179 | $0 | $47,750 |
| Median Male Income | $54,583 | $61,818 | $62,604 | $60,417 | $0 | $47,500 | $45,341 | $48,690 | $55,893 | $50,833 | $68,125 | $76,818 | $81,111 | $80,536 |
| Median Female Income | $32,292 | $35,417 | $41,563 | $41,953 | $0 | $42,237 | $42,063 | $43,571 | $49,531 | $55,250 | $65,667 | $69,231 | $72,656 | $66,875 |
| Employed: | 548 | 66.59% |
| Unemployed: | 4 | 0.49% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 271 | 32.93% |
| Total: | 823 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 256 | 46.72% |
| Service: | 97 | 17.70% |
| Sales and Office: | 100 | 18.25% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 57 | 10.40% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 38 | 6.93% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 548 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $250,000, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $79,600 (46.71%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $60,300. The median gross rent is $954, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $85 (9.78%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $39. Of occupied housing, owners make up 75.56% (63.40% with a mortgage, 36.60% free-and-clear) and renters 24.44% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 3.57%, which is much lower than the national rate (10.12%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $170,400 | $173,500 | $180,200 | $178,000 | $185,800 | $176,700 | $180,600 | $160,400 | $189,700 | $175,000 | $191,900 | $225,000 | $229,600 | $250,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 54 | 54.55% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 29 | 29.29% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 12 | 12.12% |
| $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: | 4 | 4.04% |
| Total: | 99 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $869 | $888 | $870 | $826 | $816 | $844 | $872 | $887 | $915 | $794 | $875 | $738 | $940 | $954 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 194 | 47.90% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 112 | 27.65% |
| Renter Occupied: | 99 | 24.44% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 405 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 405 | 96.43% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 15 | 3.57% |
| Total Housing Units: | 420 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 349 | 83.10% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 71 | 16.90% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 420 | 100% |
In 2024, 35.40% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 94.90%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 4.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 3.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 1.90 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.30 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (35.81%). College enrollment is 17.42%, 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 AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 4 | 0.58% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 31 | 4.48% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 201 | 29.05% |
| Some college, no degree: | 116 | 16.76% |
| Associate's degree: | 95 | 13.73% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 182 | 26.30% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 63 | 9.10% |
| Total: | 692 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 657 | 94.94% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 245 | 35.40% |
| Private Insurance: | 857 | 70.59% |
| Public Insurance: | 304 | 25.04% |
| No Insurance: | 53 | 4.37% |
| Total: | 1,214 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,161 | 95.63% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 1.4% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 1.0% | 1.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.3% | 3.6% |
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: | 21 | 6.77% |
| Kindergarten: | 22 | 7.10% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 111 | 35.81% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 102 | 32.90% |
| College or graduate school: | 54 | 17.42% |
| Total: | 310 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 43 | 13.87% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 235 | 75.81% |
ZIP Code 62046 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 34 business establishments, employing about 436 people with an annual payroll of $23,957,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 472Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 34Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $9,431,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $23,957,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 436Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 62046 is located in Madison County, Illinois, within the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 41180) and Illinois's 15th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 2,812,896 people, about 0.03% of whom live in ZIP Code 62046. It covers 1.063 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.009 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | St. Louis, MO-ILSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 41180Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 2,812,896Source: Census |
| MSA: | St. Louis, MO-IL MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 1.063 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.009 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 15Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 14695.67 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 1732408Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Hamel village; IllinoisSource: Census |
ZIP Code 62046 is in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 1 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). 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 February 1, 2026.