| City: | Wells, Texas |
| County: | Cherokee County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:33:14 AM |
| Population: | 1,047 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 430 / 903 / 936 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 31.5099, -95.0005 |
| Land Area: | 27.363 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Wells is a small East Texas community in Cherokee County where PO Boxes aren't just preferred, they're the only option. This is a PO Box Only Zone across 5.4 square miles of rural territory. No street delivery exists here. The 1,047 residents who live in Wells and the surrounding area must use the post office to receive mail.
The Wells post office maintains 423 PO Boxes for 359 occupied homes. That's a 1.18 adoption rate, which means the post office serves not only local households but also people from the surrounding countryside. Rural route delivery covers 67 addresses on county roads and farm-to-market highways, but most mail goes to boxes at the post office itself.
Street names tell the story of a traditional small town. Rusk Avenue has the most delivery points (11 records), followed by Forest Road and FM 1247. Numbered streets like W 1st Street, W 4th Street, and E 6th Street form a classic grid pattern in the town center. County roads with numbers like CR 2626 and CR 2750 serve homes in the rural areas.
Wells has a median age of 36.9 years and a household income of $66,458. About 77% of residents are white, with 11% Black and 13% Hispanic. The housing stock is older, with many homes built before 1939. Home values average $73,100, and rent averages $772 per month. It's a working-class community where 43% of workers work from home or have non-traditional commutes.
All mail must be addressed to a PO Box or rural route. Standard street addresses don't work here. Use the format:
Recipient Name
PO Box ###
Wells, TX 75976Traditional small-town grid streets in the center with county roads and farm-to-market highways serving rural areas.
ZIP Code 75976 has 1,047 residents and 359 households (average 2.77 persons per household). The median age is 36.9 years, slightly older than the state (35.6) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 46.3% male and 53.7% female, which is lower than the state male share (49.4%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (77.3%, much higher than the state average of 50.1% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Black or African American (10.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 7.8%, which is much lower than the state average (39.3%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,047Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 912Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 38.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $62,857Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 359Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $66,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.77Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.01Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 898 | 855 | 935 | 991 | 929 | 932 | 806 | 680 | 778 | 989 | 1,239 | 1,225 | 1,201 | 912 |
| Decennial Census | 827 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,047 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 36.9
Male Median Age: 31.5
Female Median Age: 39
| 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 | 47 | 53 | 33 | 37 | 20 | 41 | 22 | 22 | 32 | 24 | 22 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 12 | 15 | 11 | 14 |
| Female | 48 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 24 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 39 | 27 | 30 | 33 | 40 | 34 | 27 | 15 | 11 | 22 |
| Total | 95 | 93 | 68 | 77 | 44 | 73 | 54 | 55 | 71 | 51 | 52 | 60 | 67 | 60 | 39 | 30 | 22 | 36 |
| White: | 809 | 77.42% |
| Black: | 114 | 10.91% |
| Hispanic:* | 82 | 7.85% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.29% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.19% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.10% |
| Other: | 34 | 3.25% |
| Total: | 1,045 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 485 | 46.32% | 31.5 years |
| Females: | 562 | 53.68% | 39.0 years |
| Total: | 1,047 | 100% | 36.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 912 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 912 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 912 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $62,857, which is much lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $43,899 (231.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $32,899. Family households earn a median of $90,893 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $90,893). By gender, male median income is $48,393 and female is $80,511, which is far above the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $32,118 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 48.9%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.6%, which is far lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (33.7%).
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 | $18,958 | $25,451 | $29,464 | $25,515 | $26,652 | $27,381 | $31,607 | $27,589 | $29,958 | $54,125 | $57,639 | $62,417 | $66,458 | $62,857 |
| Median Family Income | $36,985 | $34,688 | $37,969 | $28,750 | $29,911 | $30,375 | $33,098 | $30,125 | $32,778 | $75,625 | $54,926 | $62,727 | $86,500 | $90,893 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $8,456 | $8,995 | $9,100 | $9,250 | $9,524 | $12,708 | $15,357 | $12,045 | $0 | $0 | $38,864 | $32,031 | $43,125 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $28,688 | $35,882 | $38,438 | $36,625 | $0 | $58,958 | $63,542 | $64,205 | $66,500 | $54,766 | $55,000 | $60,938 | $64,688 | $48,393 |
| Median Female Income | $31,667 | $33,333 | $29,545 | $29,732 | $0 | $29,559 | $32,857 | $29,821 | $31,250 | $46,458 | $49,750 | $44,063 | $47,153 | $80,511 |
| Employed: | 344 | 48.59% |
| Unemployed: | 2 | 0.28% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 362 | 51.13% |
| Total: | 708 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 116 | 33.72% |
| Service: | 40 | 11.63% |
| Sales and Office: | 53 | 15.41% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 100 | 29.07% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 35 | 10.17% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 344 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $66,400, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $24,600 (58.85%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $48,400. The median gross rent is $510, which is far less than the national median ($1,413), is up $119 (30.43%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $120. Of occupied housing, owners make up 67.40% (23.36% with a mortgage, 76.64% free-and-clear) and renters 32.60% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 19.20%, which is considerably higher 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 | $41,800 | $55,000 | $52,500 | $51,300 | $59,300 | $90,000 | $55,700 | $106,800 | $114,800 | $48,400 | $52,900 | $65,300 | $73,100 | $66,400 |
| Less than $500: | 33 | 27.97% |
| $500 to $999: | 27 | 22.88% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 8 | 6.78% |
| $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: | 50 | 42.37% |
| Total: | 118 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $391 | $462 | $473 | $481 | $480 | $463 | $344 | $327 | $390 | $567 | $678 | $725 | $772 | $510 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 57 | 15.75% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 187 | 51.66% |
| Renter Occupied: | 118 | 32.60% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 362 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 362 | 80.80% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 86 | 19.20% |
| Total Housing Units: | 448 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 286 | 63.84% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 78 | 17.41% |
| Other Units: | 84 | 18.75% |
| Total Housing Units: | 448 | 100% |
In 2024, 18.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 80.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 16.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 21.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 10.60 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.80 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (50.83%). College enrollment is 34.58%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 35 | 6.14% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 79 | 13.86% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 212 | 37.19% |
| Some college, no degree: | 138 | 24.21% |
| Associate's degree: | 3 | 0.53% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 17 | 2.98% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 86 | 15.09% |
| Total: | 570 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 456 | 80.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 103 | 18.07% |
| Private Insurance: | 464 | 44.53% |
| Public Insurance: | 440 | 42.23% |
| No Insurance: | 138 | 13.24% |
| Total: | 1,042 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 904 | 86.76% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 33.7% | 32.8% | 30.0% | 29.6% | 21.7% | 25.8% | 25.9% | 24.6% | 23.9% | 23.5% | 21.3% | 18.5% | 23.1% | 21.3% |
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): | 122 | 50.83% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 35 | 14.58% |
| College or graduate school: | 83 | 34.58% |
| Total: | 240 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 157 | 65.42% |
ZIP Code 75976 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 12 business establishments, employing about 105 people with an annual payroll of $3,139,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 518Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 12Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $697,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $3,139,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 105Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 75976 is located in Cherokee County, Texas, within the Jacksonville, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 27380) and Texas's 6th Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 50,845 people, about 2.06% of whom live in ZIP Code 75976. It covers 27.363 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.019 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Jacksonville, TXSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 27380Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 50,845Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 27.363 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.019 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 06Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 2148.41 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 4877176Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Wells town; TexasSource: Census |
ZIP Code 75976 is in the Wells Independent School District, 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 March 1, 2026.