ZIP Code 87311 in Church Rock, NM

Community Overview

Church Rock sits on Navajo Nation land in western New Mexico, 155 square miles of high desert territory east of Gallup. Of the 5,120 residents, 4,875 are Native American (95%). This is a Navajo community where extended families are common. The population to household ratio of 3.53 is higher than typical American towns, showing multi-generational households.

Why PO Boxes Are Essential

This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the entire territory. The Church Rock post office maintains 944 PO Boxes for 1,450 households, a 65% adoption rate. Mail doesn't arrive at home addresses by carrier. Some residents do have limited street delivery (the ZIP has 2 City routes and 1 Rural route serving about 558 street addresses), but most families travel to the post office to collect their mail. For many living on dirt roads and dispersed across canyons, the PO Box is the only reliable way to receive prescriptions, government documents, and packages.

Geographic Context and Street Names

Street names tell the story of the landscape and culture. Outlaw Rd (68 delivery points) and Second Canyon Rd (47 points) are the busiest routes. Others include Rainbow Trail, Lobo Valley Rd, Bencenti Trail, and Tse Lechee Loop. The roads follow natural terrain features: canyons, ridges, and valleys. Historic Highway 66 crosses the eastern edge. An alias name, Navajo Wingate Village, isn't valid for mailing but identifies a community area within the ZIP.

Economic Context

Median household income is $32,917, well below the national average. Per capita income is $16,318. Only 8.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher. Major employment sectors include transportation and warehousing (1,073 workers) and public administration (415 workers, likely tribal government). About 33% of workers work from home, higher than most rural areas. Homeownership is strong at 79% (1,150 owner-occupied homes vs 300 renter-occupied). Median home value is $39,100.

Population and Demographics

Median age is 31.8 years. There are 1,587 total housing units with 1,450 occupied and 137 vacant. Only 24 units are seasonal or recreational, so this is a year-round residential community, not a vacation area. The Church Rock post office has been serving this community since before October 2004 (when USPS began tracking ZIP introduction dates).

Mailing to Church Rock

All mail should be addressed to:

[Recipient Name]
PO Box [Number]
Church Rock, NM 87311

Some street addresses may work for delivery, but PO Box format is recommended for reliable service.

Street Name Patterns

Street names follow natural terrain with canyons, valleys, and ridges. Tribal cultural names like Tse Lechee Loop and Bencenti Trail appear alongside descriptive geographic names.