| City: | Rico, Colorado |
| County: | Dolores County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:04:47 AM |
| Population: | 296 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 970 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 37.7479, -108.0527 |
| Land Area: | 32.032 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Rico sits at over 9,000 feet in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, a former silver mining town that's become a quiet mountain community. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 64 square mile territory. All 151 households rely on rural carrier delivery or PO Boxes.
The Rico post office maintains 222 PO Boxes for 151 occupied homes. That's a 1.47 adoption rate, meaning the post office serves more than just local residents. People from surrounding mountain properties and seasonal homeowners maintain boxes here. Rural carrier delivery operates along two routes covering 51 delivery points, but most residents pick up mail at the post office.
Street names tell Rico's mining history. Silver Street, Argentine Street, and Commercial Street run through the old town center. Other streets honor the mining era: Glasgow Avenue, Garfield Street, Piedmont Street. The numbered highway, Colorado 145, connects Rico to Telluride (30 miles north) and Dolores (17 miles south).
With 236 total housing units and only 151 occupied year-round, 31% of homes sit vacant for seasonal use. That's high for Colorado mountain towns. Median home values reach $568,900, and 33% of workers work from home. Median age is 45 years. These numbers point to a mix of remote workers, retirees, and second homeowners drawn to the mountains.
Rico isn't a resort in the Telluride or Aspen sense. It's a small mountain community (population 296) with limited services. The 25 business establishments employ just 33 people. Most workers commute or work remotely. Public administration employs a significant share of the workforce, likely county or forest service positions.
All mail goes through the Rico post office. Use either a PO Box address or a rural route address. Street addresses exist for property identification, but this is a PO Box Only Zone with no city carrier delivery.
Street names preserve Rico's silver mining heritage with names like Silver Street, Argentine Street, and Commercial Street.
ZIP Code 81332 has 296 residents and 151 households (average 1.96 persons per household). The median age is 45.0 years, significantly older than the state (37.2) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.4% male and 47.6% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (86.8%, much higher than the state average of 70.7% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (11.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 11.1%, which is much lower than the state average (21.9%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 296Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 414Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 9.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $104,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 151Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $560,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.96Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.87Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 258 | 277 | 244 | 189 | 199 | 186 | 193 | 174 | 207 | 201 | 377 | 445 | 452 | 414 |
| Decennial Census | 282 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 296 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 45
Male Median Age: 44.5
Female Median Age: 45.4
| 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 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 20 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 19 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Female | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 7 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 16 | 34 | 23 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 25 | 28 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| White: | 257 | 84.26% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 33 | 10.82% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.98% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.66% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 10 | 3.28% |
| Total: | 305 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 155 | 52.36% | 44.5 years |
| Females: | 141 | 47.64% | 45.4 years |
| Total: | 296 | 100% | 45.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 402 | 97.10% |
| 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: | 12 | 2.90% |
| Total Population: | 414 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 402 | 97.10% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 12 | 2.90% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $104,250, which is much higher than the national median ($78,538), is up $51,250 (96.7%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $52,792. Family households earn a median of $172,604 versus $49,167 for nonfamily households (a difference of $123,437). By gender, male median income is $79,643 and female is $49,676, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $29,967 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 77.5%, which is considerably higher 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 (44.7%).
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 | $53,000 | $53,750 | $46,607 | $30,313 | $31,458 | $31,563 | $36,875 | $41,071 | $51,458 | $72,500 | $75,298 | $98,750 | $117,500 | $104,250 |
| Median Family Income | $74,286 | $74,531 | $68,750 | $46,500 | $46,250 | $47,000 | $52,813 | $0 | $81,094 | $143,024 | $151,080 | $162,765 | $168,487 | $172,604 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $22,778 | $23,194 | $30,313 | $22,969 | $22,708 | $23,214 | $33,500 | $33,000 | $33,571 | $40,536 | $43,056 | $44,219 | $49,643 | $49,167 |
| Median Male Income | $62,083 | $62,083 | $61,000 | $64,375 | $41,786 | $40,417 | $41,750 | $42,188 | $50,000 | $53,750 | $55,278 | $53,583 | $74,000 | $79,643 |
| Median Female Income | $43,472 | $43,281 | $45,500 | $31,563 | $38,750 | $50,625 | $48,125 | $0 | $52,917 | $41,923 | $41,667 | $46,349 | $49,079 | $49,676 |
| Employed: | 275 | 77.46% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 80 | 22.54% |
| Total: | 355 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 123 | 44.73% |
| Service: | 32 | 11.64% |
| Sales and Office: | 84 | 30.55% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 36 | 13.09% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 275 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $560,400, which is markedly greater than the national median ($303,400), is up $277,100 (97.81%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $241,400. The median gross rent is $1,625, which is far above the national median ($1,348), is up $1,083 (199.82%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $765. Of occupied housing, owners make up 87.20% (61.96% with a mortgage, 38.04% free-and-clear) and renters 12.80% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 18.53%, 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 | $283,300 | $258,300 | $250,000 | $247,500 | $260,000 | $244,400 | $270,500 | $302,800 | $319,000 | $386,700 | $413,700 | $471,400 | $568,900 | $560,400 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 3 | 11.11% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 6 | 22.22% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 18 | 66.67% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 27 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $542 | $763 | $1,011 | $1,058 | $813 | $807 | $868 | $866 | $860 | $1,125 | $1,444 | $1,784 | $1,711 | $1,625 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 114 | 54.03% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 70 | 33.18% |
| Renter Occupied: | 27 | 12.80% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 211 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 211 | 81.47% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 48 | 18.53% |
| Total Housing Units: | 259 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 246 | 94.98% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 9 | 3.47% |
| Other Units: | 4 | 1.54% |
| Total Housing Units: | 259 | 100% |
In 2024, 51.00% 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 21.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Public coverage is 16.20%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 5.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 7.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 7.70 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 high school (51.55%). College enrollment is 1.03%, 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 63 | 20.06% |
| Some college, no degree: | 85 | 27.07% |
| Associate's degree: | 6 | 1.91% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 121 | 38.54% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 39 | 12.42% |
| Total: | 314 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 314 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 160 | 50.96% |
| Private Insurance: | 279 | 63.99% |
| Public Insurance: | 67 | 15.37% |
| No Insurance: | 90 | 20.64% |
| Total: | 436 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 346 | 79.36% |
| 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% | 16.7% | 14.6% | 15.2% | 15.7% | 17.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 6.7% | 10.2% | 7.7% | 5.1% |
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): | 46 | 47.42% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 50 | 51.55% |
| College or graduate school: | 1 | 1.03% |
| Total: | 97 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 96 | 98.97% |
ZIP Code 81332 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 25 business establishments, employing about 32 people with an annual payroll of $1,704,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 249Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 25Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $309,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,704,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 32Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 81332 is located in Dolores 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 81332. It covers 32.032 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.022 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: | 32.032 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.022 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: | 0864090Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Rico town; ColoradoSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 81332 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.