| City: | Crested Butte, Colorado |
| Names to Avoid: | Crested Butte So, Meridian Lake, Mount Crested Butte, Mt Crested Butte, Riverbend, Skyland |
| County: | Gunnison County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:04:20 AM |
| Population: | 1,074 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 970 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 38.9063, -106.9638 |
| Land Area: | 28.775 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Crested Butte sits at the end of the road in Colorado's Gunnison County. This mountain community spans just 3.7 square miles but maintains 744 PO Boxes for 505 households, a 1.47 adoption rate that speaks to the dual nature of the place. Many box holders are seasonal residents who keep their boxes year-round even when they're elsewhere.
Sixty percent of housing units (923 of 1,531) sit vacant most of the year, waiting for ski season and summer hiking. The population is 1,074 year-round but swells dramatically when the lifts start running. Gothic Road has the most delivery points (35 records), leading toward the old mining camp turned biological research station. Hunter Hill Road and Snowfall Drive follow, their names telegraphing the winter economy.
This isn't a retirement village. Median age is 41.3 years. These are working adults who've chosen mountains over metros. Education levels run high: 81% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Per capita income sits at $64,094, with median household income at $93,182. Median home values of $594,600 put homeownership out of reach for service workers.
The ZIP includes several distinct areas recognized by USPS but not valid for mailing: Mt Crested Butte (the ski base area), Skyland, Riverbend, and Meridian Lake. All mail goes through the Crested Butte post office. Rural Route 1 handles street delivery to 155 addresses across 60 different streets, but most residents prefer boxes for reliable mail access during heavy snow.
Street names read like a ski resort gazetteer mixed with mining history. Anthracite Drive and Treasury Road recall the coal and silver that built the town. Red Lady Way references the mountain looming above town. Newer subdivisions go for aspirational alpine: Paradise Road, Summit Road, Peak View Drive. Even the wildlife gets billing: Walking Deer Lane, Gray Fox Lane, Bear Scratch Lane.
This is a PO Box community by choice, not necessity. Street delivery exists, but boxes offer flexibility for people who split time between here and elsewhere, for renters in constant turnover, and for anyone who doesn't want to shovel a mailbox out after a three-foot dump.
Standard format:
[Name]
PO Box [Number]
Crested Butte, CO 81225Aliases like Mt Crested Butte and Skyland are recognized by USPS but not valid for mailing addresses. All mail should use "Crested Butte" as the city name.
Street names blend mining heritage (Anthracite, Treasury) with ski culture (Snowfall, Ski Ranch) and alpine wilderness (Red Lady, Walking Deer).
ZIP Code 81225 has 1,074 residents and 505 households (average 2.13 persons per household). The median age is 41.3 years, older than the state (37.2) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 56.4% male and 43.6% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (90.6%, much higher than the state average of 70.7% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (5.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.0%, which is much lower than the state average (21.9%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,074Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 823Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 37.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $85,357Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 505Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $555,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.13Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.99Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 709 | 755 | 783 | 857 | 916 | 1,247 | 1,353 | 1,470 | 1,452 | 1,328 | 1,052 | 1,028 | 829 | 823 |
| Decennial Census | 952 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,074 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 41.3
Male Median Age: 40.1
Female Median Age: 43
| 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 | 25 | 21 | 29 | 27 | 30 | 59 | 63 | 48 | 43 | 59 | 50 | 51 | 28 | 34 | 23 | 10 | 1 | 5 |
| Female | 15 | 15 | 24 | 16 | 21 | 39 | 43 | 38 | 52 | 39 | 35 | 43 | 24 | 45 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 40 | 36 | 53 | 43 | 51 | 98 | 106 | 86 | 95 | 98 | 85 | 94 | 52 | 79 | 33 | 15 | 3 | 7 |
| White: | 973 | 92.05% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.09% |
| Hispanic:* | 54 | 5.11% |
| Asian: | 5 | 0.47% |
| American Indian: | 11 | 1.04% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.09% |
| Other: | 12 | 1.14% |
| Total: | 1,057 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 606 | 56.42% | 40.1 years |
| Females: | 468 | 43.58% | 43.0 years |
| Total: | 1,074 | 100% | 41.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 792 | 96.23% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 31 | 3.77% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 823 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 823 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $85,357, which is considerably higher than the national median ($78,538), is up $31,681 (59.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $5,779. Family households earn a median of $132,868 versus $63,750 for nonfamily households (a difference of $69,118). By gender, male median income is $62,284 and female is $48,550, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $13,734 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 76.2%, which is far greater 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 Service (36.6%).
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 | $53,676 | $52,458 | $51,758 | $51,563 | $51,458 | $55,000 | $56,944 | $63,616 | $91,136 | $80,521 | $94,091 | $101,550 | $93,182 | $85,357 |
| Median Family Income | $82,794 | $57,500 | $60,500 | $65,893 | $56,125 | $64,375 | $71,563 | $131,125 | $147,411 | $135,125 | $144,922 | $167,875 | $131,250 | $132,868 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $43,889 | $50,774 | $46,406 | $45,000 | $48,977 | $51,875 | $54,063 | $53,162 | $50,987 | $41,250 | $44,583 | $56,500 | $63,750 | $63,750 |
| Median Male Income | $36,848 | $45,469 | $46,131 | $48,224 | $48,452 | $60,833 | $64,297 | $66,838 | $77,832 | $68,000 | $67,946 | $74,886 | $61,544 | $62,284 |
| Median Female Income | $50,438 | $36,167 | $37,303 | $52,667 | $38,167 | $36,923 | $39,167 | $23,947 | $23,636 | $32,679 | $37,344 | $41,563 | $46,346 | $48,550 |
| Employed: | 604 | 76.17% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 189 | 23.83% |
| Total: | 793 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 217 | 35.93% |
| Service: | 221 | 36.59% |
| Sales and Office: | 134 | 22.19% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 32 | 5.30% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 604 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $555,300, which is markedly greater than the national median ($303,400), is up $164,300 (42.02%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $93,200. The median gross rent is $2,129, which is much higher than the national median ($1,348), is up $1,134 (113.97%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $856. Of occupied housing, owners make up 79.87% (61.54% with a mortgage, 38.46% free-and-clear) and renters 20.13% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 70.56%, which is considerably 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 | $391,000 | $388,300 | $396,200 | $417,100 | $395,300 | $423,000 | $423,300 | $438,300 | $462,100 | $476,300 | $552,500 | $663,500 | $594,600 | $555,300 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 21 | 22.11% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 18 | 18.95% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 33 | 34.74% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 23 | 24.21% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 95 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $995 | $1,093 | $788 | $783 | $1,026 | $1,269 | $1,069 | $1,168 | $1,273 | $1,328 | $1,336 | $1,567 | $1,717 | $2,129 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 232 | 49.15% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 145 | 30.72% |
| Renter Occupied: | 95 | 20.13% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 472 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 472 | 29.44% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 1,131 | 70.56% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,603 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 485 | 30.26% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 1,118 | 69.74% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 1,603 | 100% |
In 2024, 88.10% 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 97.90%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 7.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 3.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 4.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 2.60 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 (61.22%). College enrollment is 38.78%, 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: | 16 | 2.10% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Some college, no degree: | 75 | 9.83% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 458 | 60.03% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 214 | 28.05% |
| Total: | 763 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 747 | 97.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 672 | 88.07% |
| Private Insurance: | 529 | 60.80% |
| Public Insurance: | 276 | 31.72% |
| No Insurance: | 65 | 7.47% |
| Total: | 870 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 805 | 92.53% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.6% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 2.6% | 1.1% | 1.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.7% | 4.0% | 3.7% |
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): | 30 | 61.22% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 19 | 38.78% |
| Total: | 49 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 30 | 61.22% |
ZIP Code 81225 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 57 business establishments, employing about 995 people with an annual payroll of $20,511,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1,510Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 57Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $7,350,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $20,511,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 995Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 81225 is located in Gunnison County, Colorado, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Colorado's 3rd Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 81225. It covers 28.775 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.065 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 28.775 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.065 sq miSource: 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: | 0818310Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Crested Butte town; ColoradoSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 81225 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 March 1, 2026.