| City: | Chama, Colorado |
| County: | Costilla County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:03:54 AM |
| Population: | 239 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 719 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 37.2046, -105.3435 |
| Land Area: | 9.981 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Chama is a small rural community in Costilla County, Colorado, with 239 residents spread across 102 households. Despite its classification as a PO Box ZIP code, mail delivery here works through two rural carrier routes serving County Roads L.7, M.5, P.6, and N.2. The community covers just over 1 square mile in southern Colorado, near the New Mexico border.
With a median age of 54.3 years, Chama leans older than typical Colorado communities. About 17% of the housing stock (24 of 141 units) is seasonal or used occasionally, suggesting some vacation or second-home presence. The community is predominantly owner-occupied, with 83 of 102 occupied homes owned rather than rented.
The workforce shows interesting patterns. About 28% of workers (34 people) work from home, well above national averages. Transportation and warehousing employs 81 people, while public administration accounts for 74 workers. The relatively high work-from-home rate and transportation employment suggest a mix of remote workers and those working in logistics or highway-related industries along the rural road network.
Chama isn't a PO Box Only Zone. Street delivery exists through the rural routes, though the ZIP's classification as PO Box dates to before October 2004. The post office facility code is P (Post Office), and there's no city carrier delivery, which is typical for rural areas. General Delivery service is available for those without established addresses.
All streets are county roads with alphanumeric designations, typical of rural Colorado addressing.
ZIP Code 81126 has 239 residents and 102 households (average 2.34 persons per household). The median age is 54.3 years, significantly older than the state (37.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.3% male and 52.7% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (50.2%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (81.6%) and White (44.8%, much lower than the state average of 70.7% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 81.6%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 239Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 506Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 23.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $52,870Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 102Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $170,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.34Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.81Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 237 | 180 | 188 | 215 | 216 | 202 | 229 | 194 | 152 | 346 | 387 | 371 | 491 | 506 |
| Decennial Census | 276 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 239 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 54.3
Male Median Age: 53.5
Female Median Age: 56
| 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 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 1 |
| Female | 4 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 4 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 19 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 24 | 17 | 13 | 28 | 22 | 7 | 5 |
| White: | 107 | 31.10% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.58% |
| Hispanic:* | 195 | 56.69% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.87% |
| American Indian: | 3 | 0.87% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 34 | 9.88% |
| Total: | 344 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 113 | 47.28% | 53.5 years |
| Females: | 126 | 52.72% | 56.0 years |
| Total: | 239 | 100% | 54.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 485 | 95.85% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 21 | 4.15% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 4.15% |
| Total Population: | 506 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 485 | 95.85% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 21 | 4.15% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $52,870, which is well under the national median ($78,538), is up $24,646 (87.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $52,870. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $35,833 for nonfamily households (a difference of $35,833). By gender, male median income is $61,875 and female is $31,833, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $30,042 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 37.8%, which is considerably 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 (47.1%).
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 | $28,224 | $14,565 | $20,990 | $21,111 | $16,607 | $16,583 | $17,917 | $20,735 | $0 | $54,423 | $56,250 | $0 | $50,776 | $52,870 |
| Median Family Income | $73,333 | $78,667 | $80,375 | $17,167 | $16,964 | $18,750 | $0 | $0 | $53,571 | $0 | $56,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $13,403 | $13,804 | $20,147 | $22,083 | $0 | $12,625 | $13,984 | $13,977 | $11,951 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35,833 |
| Median Male Income | $65,667 | $0 | $0 | $41,875 | $22,125 | $22,019 | $25,227 | $25,000 | $25,673 | $51,250 | $53,235 | $56,328 | $59,231 | $61,875 |
| Median Female Income | $24,583 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $29,777 | $32,130 | $31,976 | $31,833 |
| Employed: | 170 | 37.78% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 280 | 62.22% |
| Total: | 450 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 80 | 47.06% |
| Service: | 42 | 24.71% |
| Sales and Office: | 36 | 21.18% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 12 | 7.06% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 170 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $170,400, which is much lower than the national median ($303,400), is up $86,000 (101.90%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $81,700. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,348), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 85.00% (50.42% with a mortgage, 49.58% free-and-clear) and renters 15.00% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 20.45%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.43%).
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 | $84,400 | $81,000 | $76,000 | $92,000 | $86,300 | $89,500 | $90,500 | $89,900 | $88,700 | $252,400 | $138,200 | $154,500 | $167,600 | $170,400 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 17 | 80.95% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 4 | 19.05% |
| Total: | 21 | 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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 60 | 42.86% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 59 | 42.14% |
| Renter Occupied: | 21 | 15.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 140 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 140 | 79.55% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 36 | 20.45% |
| Total Housing Units: | 176 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 99 | 56.25% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 17 | 9.66% |
| Other Units: | 60 | 34.09% |
| Total Housing Units: | 176 | 100% |
In 2024, 26.80% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 89.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 13.60%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 62.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 16.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 6.30 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 14.40 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 college (52.08%). College enrollment is 52.08%, 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 43 | 10.89% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 113 | 28.61% |
| Some college, no degree: | 95 | 24.05% |
| Associate's degree: | 38 | 9.62% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 41 | 10.38% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 65 | 16.46% |
| Total: | 395 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 352 | 89.11% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 106 | 26.84% |
| Private Insurance: | 269 | 41.13% |
| Public Insurance: | 316 | 48.32% |
| No Insurance: | 69 | 10.55% |
| Total: | 654 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 585 | 89.45% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 8.1% | 26.7% | 20.7% | 55.3% | 59.4% | 39.5% | 31.3% | 28.9% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 14.4% | 16.0% |
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): | 10 | 20.83% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 13 | 27.08% |
| College or graduate school: | 25 | 52.08% |
| Total: | 48 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 23 | 47.92% |
ZIP Code 81126 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 96Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 81126 is located in Costilla County, Colorado, within the Alamosa, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 10480) and Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 81126. It covers 9.981 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Alamosa, COSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 10480Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 9.981 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 49731.77 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 81126 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. 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.