| City: | Sanostee, New Mexico |
| County: | San Juan County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:24:21 AM |
| Population: | 1,313 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 505 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.4472, -108.7845 |
| Land Area: | 239.975 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Sanostee sits in the high desert of northwestern New Mexico, serving the Navajo Nation community across 297 square miles of San Juan County. Nearly everyone here is Navajo. Of the 1,313 residents, 98% are Native American (1,291 people). This makes Sanostee one of the most homogeneous tribal communities in the Four Corners region.
The community post office operates as a Community Post Office (facility code C) and maintains 232 PO Boxes for 457 occupied households. That's an adoption rate of 51%. About half of households rely on PO Boxes while the other half receives mail via a single rural route and one highway contract route. The numbered roads (Road 8550, Road 8607, Road 8603) and State Highway 491 form the sparse street network across this vast territory.
Sanostee households average 2.9 people, slightly higher than the national average but typical for Navajo communities where extended families often share homes. Median age is 40.8 years. The community includes 352 owner-occupied homes and 105 renter-occupied homes. Median household income stands at $31,375, and median home values are $29,400.
Work centers on public administration (113 workers) and transportation (251 workers), likely including positions with the Navajo Nation government and trucking along the highway corridors. About 53% of workers work from home or nearby. Education attainment shows only 3% of adults hold bachelor's degrees, and 69% of residents were born outside the United States (many in surrounding Navajo Nation communities).
Mail addressed to Sanostee must use either a PO Box number or a rural route designation. Street delivery isn't available for most addresses across this 297-square-mile service area. The post office serves as a gathering point where residents collect mail, packages, and stay connected to the broader community.
Numbered reservation roads and highway corridors form the minimal addressing infrastructure across 297 square miles.
ZIP Code 87461 has 1,313 residents and 457 households (average 2.87 persons per household). The median age is 40.8 years, slightly older than the state (39.2) and slightly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.7% male and 49.3% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (98.3%, much higher than the state average of 10.0% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (1.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.1%, 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: | 1,313Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,307Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 5.5 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $32,981Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 457Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $31,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.87Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.71Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,314 | 1,464 | 1,400 | 1,259 | 1,239 | 1,220 | 1,326 | 1,264 | 1,384 | 1,395 | 1,481 | 1,394 | 1,374 | 1,307 |
| Decennial Census | 1,315 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,313 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 40.8
Male Median Age: 37.3
Female Median Age: 45.6
| 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 | 26 | 43 | 51 | 61 | 38 | 35 | 60 | 45 | 39 | 29 | 40 | 49 | 55 | 34 | 24 | 16 | 11 | 10 |
| Female | 25 | 34 | 55 | 47 | 38 | 22 | 31 | 32 | 35 | 27 | 29 | 57 | 61 | 34 | 44 | 23 | 22 | 31 |
| Total | 51 | 77 | 106 | 108 | 76 | 57 | 91 | 77 | 74 | 56 | 69 | 106 | 116 | 68 | 68 | 39 | 33 | 41 |
| White: | 1 | 0.08% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.08% |
| Hispanic:* | 14 | 1.07% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.08% |
| American Indian: | 1,291 | 98.70% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 1,308 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 666 | 50.72% | 37.3 years |
| Females: | 647 | 49.28% | 45.6 years |
| Total: | 1,313 | 100% | 40.8 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,307 | 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: | 1,307 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,307 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $32,981, which is far less than the national median ($80,734), is up $9,814 (42.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $8,455. Family households earn a median of $40,469 versus $11,786 for nonfamily households (a difference of $28,683). By gender, male median income is $36,875 and female is $40,179, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $3,304 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 39.3%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 15.6%, which is far worse than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Service (36.4%).
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 | $23,167 | $21,938 | $21,134 | $20,395 | $20,216 | $19,605 | $21,211 | $22,763 | $24,526 | $27,386 | $27,125 | $31,053 | $31,375 | $32,981 |
| Median Family Income | $26,328 | $27,250 | $27,581 | $22,813 | $23,906 | $24,091 | $26,667 | $27,212 | $31,705 | $24,531 | $24,840 | $29,375 | $30,536 | $40,469 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $8,903 | $8,995 | $8,625 | $8,333 | $8,438 | $9,028 | $9,073 | $9,837 | $13,125 | $13,854 | $12,500 | $10,114 | $12,159 | $11,786 |
| Median Male Income | $26,920 | $27,500 | $35,341 | $38,125 | $39,000 | $32,019 | $33,409 | $33,523 | $33,000 | $26,136 | $26,625 | $38,000 | $32,500 | $36,875 |
| Median Female Income | $25,192 | $25,208 | $24,917 | $24,659 | $24,722 | $22,303 | $21,875 | $26,250 | $24,773 | $27,188 | $33,125 | $38,438 | $38,750 | $40,179 |
| Employed: | 357 | 33.15% |
| Unemployed: | 66 | 6.13% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 654 | 60.72% |
| Total: | 1,077 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 64 | 17.93% |
| Service: | 130 | 36.41% |
| Sales and Office: | 35 | 9.80% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 50 | 14.01% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 78 | 21.85% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 357 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $31,200, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is down $56,400 (64.38%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $19,000. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $577 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $617. Of occupied housing, owners make up 93.03% (9.60% with a mortgage, 90.40% free-and-clear) and renters 6.97% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 32.89%, 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 | $87,600 | $90,400 | $86,600 | $80,600 | $72,500 | $55,300 | $52,000 | $49,800 | $50,200 | $43,100 | $40,100 | $29,600 | $29,400 | $31,200 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 32 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 32 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $577 | $585 | $0 | $0 | $875 | $1,036 | $1,016 | $586 | $617 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 41 | 8.93% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 386 | 84.10% |
| Renter Occupied: | 32 | 6.97% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 459 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 459 | 67.11% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 225 | 32.89% |
| Total Housing Units: | 684 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 550 | 80.41% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 134 | 19.59% |
| Total Housing Units: | 684 | 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 76.40%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 12.70%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 14.90%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 75.80%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 37.80%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.80%), up 10.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 9.90 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 (46.98%). College enrollment is 6.98%, 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: | 102 | 11.18% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 113 | 12.39% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 421 | 46.16% |
| Some college, no degree: | 201 | 22.04% |
| Associate's degree: | 60 | 6.58% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 5 | 0.55% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 10 | 1.10% |
| Total: | 912 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 697 | 76.43% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 15 | 1.64% |
| Private Insurance: | 195 | 14.42% |
| Public Insurance: | 991 | 73.30% |
| No Insurance: | 166 | 12.28% |
| Total: | 1,352 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,186 | 87.72% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 29.1% | 35.7% | 39.7% | 42.8% | 41.1% | 38.2% | 34.3% | 34.2% | 29.9% | 40.0% | 42.7% | 39.9% | 39.8% | 37.8% |
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: | 8 | 2.54% |
| Kindergarten: | 14 | 4.44% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 148 | 46.98% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 123 | 39.05% |
| College or graduate school: | 22 | 6.98% |
| Total: | 315 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 22 | 6.98% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 285 | 90.48% |
ZIP Code 87461 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: | 234Source: 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 87461 is located in San Juan County, New Mexico, within the Farmington, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 22140) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 130,044 people, about 1.01% of whom live in ZIP Code 87461. It covers 239.975 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.072 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Farmington, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 22140Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 130,044Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 239.975 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: | 3569620Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Sanostee CDP; New MexicoSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 87461 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. 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.