| City: | Counselor, New Mexico |
| County: | Sandoval County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:22:50 AM |
| Population: | 560 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 505 / 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.1216, -106.9387 |
| Land Area: | 174.939 sq mi |
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Counselor sits in northwestern New Mexico's high desert country, where 560 residents live across 46.5 square miles of rural terrain in Sandoval County. Nearly everyone here is Native American. Of the 560 residents, 536 (96%) are Native American, making this one of New Mexico's most homogenous Native communities.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The Counselor post office maintains 148 PO Boxes for 189 households, resulting in a 78% adoption rate. Some families use rural delivery, but most rely on boxes because of the isolated nature of addresses scattered across the landscape.
Rural carrier routes serve most addresses here. The delivery pattern includes 169 rural route records, one highway contract route, and general delivery service. Street names blend Spanish heritage with the local landscape: Camino Salado, San Jose, Naranjo Creek, and Los Pinos Road appear alongside Bear Paw Road and Ridge Runners Road. New Mexico State Road 96 has the most delivery points with 14 records.
Household size runs larger than average at 2.96 people per household, typical of rural Native communities where extended families often live together. Median age is 40 years. Only 3% of the population is under 18, and 4% is 65 or older.
This is a working-class community with limited economic resources. Median household income sits at $28,333, well below state and national averages. Per capita income is $11,401. Educational attainment is very low: just 1.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree. Transportation dominates employment, with 142 workers (the largest sector) in transportation, warehousing, and utilities. Another 67 work in education and health care, 20 in public administration, and 16 in agriculture. Remote work is common out of necessity: 40.5% of workers work from home, far above the national average.
Housing stock is older and affordable. Median home value is $32,500. Of 233 total housing units, 189 are occupied and 44 are vacant. Most residents own their homes: 178 owner-occupied versus 11 renter-occupied. About 30 units are mobile homes, and 191 structures were built before 1939, preserving the area's historic character.
Use PO Box addresses or rural route numbers. Street delivery is limited to rural carrier routes. General Delivery is available for those without established addresses.
Street names blend Spanish colonial heritage (Camino Salado, San Jose, Naranjo Creek) with landscape features (Bear Paw, Ridge Runners) and state highway designations.
ZIP Code 87018 has 560 residents and 189 households (average 2.96 persons per household). The median age is 40.0 years, about the same as the state (39.2) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 48.9% male and 51.1% female, which is about the same as the state male share (49.3%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (95.7%, much higher than the state average of 10.0% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (4.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 4.6%, which is much lower than the state average (47.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (10.0%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 560Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 561Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $30,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 189Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.96Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.08Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 387 | 423 | 417 | 448 | 457 | 474 | 508 | 606 | 589 | 499 | 932 | 922 | 556 | 561 |
| Decennial Census | 522 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 560 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 40
Male Median Age: 33.5
Female Median Age: 47.4
| 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 | 18 | 16 | 22 | 21 | 16 | 27 | 18 | 22 | 16 | 9 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 11 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Female | 15 | 15 | 13 | 19 | 13 | 22 | 13 | 10 | 14 | 24 | 20 | 30 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Total | 33 | 31 | 35 | 40 | 29 | 49 | 31 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 39 | 47 | 36 | 31 | 30 | 15 | 12 | 7 |
| White: | 4 | 0.69% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 26 | 4.51% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.17% |
| American Indian: | 536 | 93.06% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 9 | 1.56% |
| Total: | 576 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 274 | 48.93% | 33.5 years |
| Females: | 286 | 51.07% | 47.4 years |
| Total: | 560 | 100% | 40.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 561 | 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: | 561 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 561 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $30,250, which is considerably lower than the national median ($80,734), is up $11,917 (65.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $14,781. Family households earn a median of $37,917 versus $10,313 for nonfamily households (a difference of $27,604). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $35,750, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $35,750 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 30.1%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 11.5%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (61.7%).
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 | $18,333 | $16,458 | $17,750 | $21,964 | $19,063 | $16,607 | $16,806 | $14,671 | $15,469 | $14,500 | $16,161 | $16,250 | $28,333 | $30,250 |
| Median Family Income | $21,719 | $21,528 | $21,000 | $20,917 | $20,568 | $20,781 | $19,250 | $14,345 | $14,853 | $13,750 | $15,917 | $16,806 | $37,750 | $37,917 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $8,646 | $8,173 | $8,173 | $2,499 | $0 | $10,227 | $10,104 | $10,625 | $11,058 | $11,250 | $0 | $0 | $8,250 | $10,313 |
| Median Male Income | $23,750 | $24,375 | $26,458 | $30,750 | $0 | $30,313 | $27,639 | $11,587 | $11,452 | $12,448 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $57,500 | $16,389 | $16,250 | $17,000 | $0 | $16,875 | $22,917 | $25,625 | $22,188 | $21,250 | $21,563 | $24,500 | $33,333 | $35,750 |
| Employed: | 115 | 26.62% |
| Unemployed: | 15 | 3.47% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 302 | 69.91% |
| Total: | 432 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 22 | 19.13% |
| Service: | 71 | 61.74% |
| Sales and Office: | 13 | 11.30% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 4 | 3.48% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 5 | 4.35% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 115 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $117,000 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $24,400. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 100.00% (0.00% with a mortgage, 100.00% free-and-clear) and renters 0.00% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 24.46%, which is far 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 | $117,000 | $127,500 | $90,000 | $64,200 | $27,500 | $25,000 | $24,000 | $24,200 | $24,400 | $0 | $48,800 | $50,900 | $32,500 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $347 | $341 | $341 | $338 | $322 | $331 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 139 | 100.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 139 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 139 | 75.54% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 45 | 24.46% |
| Total Housing Units: | 184 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 155 | 84.24% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 29 | 15.76% |
| Total Housing Units: | 184 | 100% |
In 2024, 1.60% 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 43.50%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 10.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 4.30%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 87.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 59.60%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.80%), up 1.70 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 19.20 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (40.23%). College enrollment is 9.20%, 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: | 43 | 13.56% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 136 | 42.90% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 87 | 27.44% |
| Some college, no degree: | 35 | 11.04% |
| Associate's degree: | 11 | 3.47% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 5 | 1.58% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 317 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 138 | 43.53% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 5 | 1.58% |
| Private Insurance: | 24 | 4.20% |
| Public Insurance: | 489 | 85.64% |
| No Insurance: | 58 | 10.16% |
| Total: | 571 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 513 | 89.84% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 47.0% | 45.5% | 45.2% | 42.6% | 45.0% | 43.0% | 50.0% | 65.8% | 67.9% | 79.2% | 72.8% | 68.2% | 48.7% | 59.6% |
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: | 19 | 10.92% |
| Kindergarten: | 8 | 4.60% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 70 | 40.23% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 61 | 35.06% |
| College or graduate school: | 16 | 9.20% |
| Total: | 174 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 27 | 15.52% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 139 | 79.89% |
ZIP Code 87018 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: | 152Source: 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 87018 is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, within the Albuquerque, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 10740) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 887,077 people, about 0.06% of whom live in ZIP Code 87018. It covers 174.939 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.072 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Albuquerque, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 10740Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 887,077Source: Census |
| MSA: | Albuquerque, NM MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 174.939 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.072 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 44958.52 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 87018 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.