| City: | Norwood, Colorado |
| County: | San Miguel County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:04:59 AM |
| Population: | 1,409 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 970 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 37.9870, -108.3401 |
| Land Area: | 588.812 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Norwood sits in southwestern Colorado's San Miguel County, covering 772 square miles of mountain and plateau territory between the Uncompahgre Plateau and the San Miguel Mountains. The town's 1,409 residents are spread across one of Colorado's most expansive PO Box ZIP codes, where rural carrier routes serve ranches, homesteads, and scattered subdivisions connected by a web of county roads.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The Norwood post office maintains 843 PO Boxes for 603 households, a 1.40 adoption rate that shows the post office serves both local residents and people from surrounding unincorporated areas. With only 2 rural carrier routes covering 772 square miles, PO Boxes provide the most reliable mail access for this dispersed population.
Norwood functions as a service hub for ranchers, remote workers, and year-round mountain residents. The median age of 45 years and household composition (2.3 people per household) indicate an established community of families and working-age adults. About 31% work from home, a high rate that fits the pattern of rural Colorado communities attracting remote professionals. Median household income is $61,316, with median home values at $412,000.
The street network tells the story of rural western Colorado. Grand Ave and Highway 145 form the town core, while the majority of addresses sit on numbered county roads (County Road 44 Z, County Road 42 Z, County Road 43 Z). Nature-themed residential streets like Mountain View Lane, Spruce Drive, and Juniper Drive mix with ranch roads bearing names like JJ Ranch Trail, Bad Ranch Road, and Homestead Road. The mix of development types, from TRLR (trailer) units on S Aspen St to LOT units along Highway 145, shows varied housing from mobile homes to single-family properties.
With 64 business establishments employing 291 people locally, Norwood serves as a regional anchor for commerce and services in this remote area. Educational attainment is notably high for a rural community, with 38.8% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, consistent with the significant remote work population.
Street names split between a small town core (Grand Ave, San Miguel St) and extensive county road network serving the 772 square mile rural territory.
ZIP Code 81423 has 1,409 residents and 603 households (average 2.34 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 51.5% male and 48.5% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (85.9%, much higher than the state average of 70.7% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (9.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 9.9%, which is much lower than the state average (21.9%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,409Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,176Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 2.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $62,125Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 603Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $425,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.34Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.00Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,417 | 1,518 | 1,660 | 1,527 | 1,567 | 1,703 | 1,729 | 1,751 | 1,764 | 1,782 | 1,675 | 1,590 | 1,462 | 1,176 |
| Decennial Census | 1,480 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,409 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 45
Male Median Age: 45
Female Median Age: 45
| 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 | 35 | 45 | 44 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 54 | 42 | 57 | 34 | 50 | 49 | 89 | 59 | 42 | 18 | 17 | 5 |
| Female | 34 | 40 | 34 | 40 | 18 | 35 | 42 | 46 | 53 | 52 | 36 | 43 | 67 | 51 | 54 | 24 | 6 | 8 |
| Total | 69 | 85 | 78 | 67 | 47 | 65 | 96 | 88 | 110 | 86 | 86 | 92 | 156 | 110 | 96 | 42 | 23 | 13 |
| White: | 1,211 | 82.61% |
| Black: | 5 | 0.34% |
| Hispanic:* | 139 | 9.48% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 41 | 2.80% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.07% |
| Other: | 69 | 4.71% |
| Total: | 1,466 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 726 | 51.53% | 45.0 years |
| Females: | 683 | 48.47% | 45.0 years |
| Total: | 1,409 | 100% | 45.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,150 | 97.79% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 14 | 1.19% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 12 | 2.21% |
| Total Population: | 1,176 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,150 | 97.79% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 26 | 2.21% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $62,125, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $6,405 (11.5%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $2,640. Family households earn a median of $78,707 versus $24,928 for nonfamily households (a difference of $53,779). By gender, male median income is $53,333 and female is $52,569, which is trails just behind the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $764 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 65.5%, which is a bit higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (31.1%).
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 | $55,720 | $56,298 | $53,667 | $55,909 | $47,109 | $51,534 | $52,292 | $58,864 | $59,485 | $62,806 | $61,726 | $57,986 | $61,316 | $62,125 |
| Median Family Income | $59,118 | $65,184 | $61,875 | $68,676 | $67,609 | $68,894 | $69,293 | $76,250 | $76,389 | $64,848 | $66,172 | $65,865 | $71,739 | $78,707 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $31,509 | $31,563 | $33,819 | $34,483 | $33,490 | $33,906 | $32,596 | $32,000 | $29,271 | $39,583 | $35,114 | $37,604 | $26,667 | $24,928 |
| Median Male Income | $44,375 | $48,317 | $48,625 | $50,000 | $47,961 | $46,346 | $42,222 | $40,357 | $37,917 | $40,990 | $49,028 | $50,000 | $58,846 | $53,333 |
| Median Female Income | $35,685 | $36,339 | $37,417 | $39,542 | $36,635 | $37,115 | $37,891 | $40,855 | $45,000 | $57,619 | $63,438 | $58,906 | $57,560 | $52,569 |
| Employed: | 694 | 64.02% |
| Unemployed: | 16 | 1.48% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 374 | 34.50% |
| Total: | 1,084 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 216 | 31.12% |
| Service: | 179 | 25.79% |
| Sales and Office: | 102 | 14.70% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 145 | 20.89% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 52 | 7.49% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 694 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $425,000, which is much higher than the national median ($303,400), is up $177,800 (71.93%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $130,100. The median gross rent is $1,231, which is generally lower than the national median ($1,348), is up $319 (34.98%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $160. Of occupied housing, owners make up 82.24% (46.26% with a mortgage, 53.74% free-and-clear) and renters 17.76% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 9.03%, which is considerably lower 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 | $247,200 | $244,300 | $239,300 | $269,200 | $280,800 | $289,800 | $279,300 | $277,500 | $294,900 | $296,800 | $315,500 | $355,300 | $412,000 | $425,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 2 | 1.57% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 62 | 48.82% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 45 | 35.43% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 6 | 4.72% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 12 | 9.45% |
| Total: | 127 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $912 | $903 | $738 | $925 | $865 | $914 | $1,104 | $1,044 | $1,071 | $1,099 | $1,158 | $1,158 | $1,265 | $1,231 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 272 | 38.04% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 316 | 44.20% |
| Renter Occupied: | 127 | 17.76% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 715 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 715 | 90.97% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 71 | 9.03% |
| Total Housing Units: | 786 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 587 | 74.68% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 46 | 5.85% |
| Other Units: | 153 | 19.47% |
| Total Housing Units: | 786 | 100% |
In 2024, 30.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 96.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 20.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 49.00%, which is falls below the national rate (67.30%). The share of people in poverty is 8.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), down 2.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.30 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (37.50%). College enrollment is 30.77%, 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: | 38 | 3.97% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 351 | 36.64% |
| Some college, no degree: | 205 | 21.40% |
| Associate's degree: | 76 | 7.93% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 187 | 19.52% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 101 | 10.54% |
| Total: | 958 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 920 | 96.03% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 288 | 30.06% |
| Private Insurance: | 576 | 43.77% |
| Public Insurance: | 499 | 37.92% |
| No Insurance: | 241 | 18.31% |
| Total: | 1,316 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,075 | 81.69% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 8.0% | 8.1% | 9.4% | 6.9% | 11.0% | 9.5% | 8.4% | 5.5% | 5.0% | 3.9% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 5.3% | 8.9% |
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: | 10 | 9.62% |
| Kindergarten: | 6 | 5.77% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 39 | 37.50% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 17 | 16.35% |
| College or graduate school: | 32 | 30.77% |
| Total: | 104 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 16 | 15.38% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 62 | 59.62% |
ZIP Code 81423 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 59 business establishments, employing about 317 people with an annual payroll of $13,558,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 930Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 59Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $3,137,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $13,558,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 317Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 81423 is located in San Miguel 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 81423. It covers 588.812 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.481 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: | 588.812 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.481 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: | 0854880Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Norwood town; ColoradoSource: Census |
ZIP Code 81423 is in the Norwood School District R-2J, 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.