| City: | Carson, New Mexico |
| County: | Taos County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:24:34 AM |
| Population: | 460 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 505 / 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.3213, -105.8143 |
| Land Area: | 80.326 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Carson sits in the high desert plateau of northern New Mexico, about 15 miles southwest of the Colorado border. With a median age of 59.2 years, this is a retirement and artist community spread across 228 square miles of Taos County ranchland. Street names tell the story of people who came here seeking freedom and creativity: Earthship Way, Which Way, Happy Trail, and Good Nuff Road appear alongside traditional Spanish names like Cuatro Ruedas Drive and Montoya Road.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The Carson post office maintains 158 PO Boxes for 255 occupied homes, a 62% adoption rate that shows balanced use of both PO Boxes and rural route delivery. One rural carrier route and one city route serve the scattered properties connected by State Highway 567, US Highway 64, and US Highway 285.
Nearly everyone here owns their home. Of 255 occupied housing units, 218 are owner-occupied (86%). That's high even for rural New Mexico. Education levels stand out too: 67.8% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, well above state and national averages. This isn't a traditional ranching community. It's a place where educated professionals and retirees chose to live in isolation.
The ZIP+4 database lists 106 distinct street names for just 162 street delivery records. That means most roads serve only one or two properties. Names range from practical (North Road, First Street) to whimsical (Poco Loco Road, Fasthorse Road) to cosmic (Milkyway Road, Star Lane). Carson attracts people who want space, solitude, and the freedom to name their own roads.
With 131 vacant housing units out of 386 total (34% vacancy), and 51 marked as seasonal, recreational, or occasional use, Carson serves both year-round residents and part-time inhabitants. The small household size of 1.8 people per home indicates couples and singles rather than families with children. Only 11 residents are under 18.
Address mail to: PO Box [number], Carson, NM 87517. For properties with rural route delivery, use the street address with Carson, NM 87517.
Street names mix Spanish heritage (Cuatro Ruedas, Montoya, Calle Serena) with creative counterculture choices (Earthship Way, Which Way, Good Nuff Road, Happy Trail) and cosmic themes (Milkyway Road, Star Lane).
ZIP Code 87517 has 460 residents and 255 households (average 1.80 persons per household). The median age is 59.2 years, significantly older than the state (39.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 55.7% male and 44.3% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (81.3%, much higher than the state average of 51.0% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (10.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 10.7%, which is much lower than the state average (47.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 460Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 388Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 5.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 255Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.80Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.90Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 178 | 105 | 89 | 149 | 138 | 147 | 216 | 346 | 340 | 253 | 328 | 308 | 150 | 388 |
| Decennial Census | 356 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 460 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 59.2
Male Median Age: 60.8
Female Median Age: 56.7
| 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 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 33 | 36 | 31 | 24 | 7 | 2 |
| Female | 4 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 32 | 29 | 7 | 4 | 5 |
| Total | 8 | 14 | 10 | 19 | 16 | 10 | 19 | 26 | 23 | 32 | 27 | 31 | 48 | 68 | 60 | 31 | 11 | 7 |
| White: | 374 | 80.78% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.22% |
| Hispanic:* | 49 | 10.58% |
| Asian: | 2 | 0.43% |
| American Indian: | 8 | 1.73% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 29 | 6.26% |
| Total: | 463 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 256 | 55.65% | 60.8 years |
| Females: | 204 | 44.35% | 56.7 years |
| Total: | 460 | 100% | 59.2 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 336 | 86.60% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 52 | 13.40% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 388 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 388 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $24,042 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $45,677. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 66.1%, which is edges past the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 26.4%, which is markedly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (100.0%).
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 | $24,042 | $23,875 | $24,861 | $37,794 | $40,179 | $38,824 | $21,217 | $22,339 | $45,677 | $0 | $0 | $99,122 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $79,306 | $0 | $0 | $80,781 | $81,250 | $0 | $0 | $2,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $22,958 | $23,542 | $24,236 | $22,000 | $38,971 | $38,088 | $20,987 | $22,879 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $98,514 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $2,499 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 145 | 48.66% |
| Unemployed: | 52 | 17.45% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 101 | 33.89% |
| Total: | 298 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 145 | 100.00% |
| Service: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 145 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $85,600 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $251,300. 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% (51.21% with a mortgage, 48.79% free-and-clear) and renters 0.00% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 14.11%, which is much 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 | $85,600 | $81,900 | $75,000 | $114,100 | $156,500 | $162,500 | $116,000 | $172,100 | $251,300 | $259,600 | $233,300 | $262,700 | $0 | $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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 106 | 51.21% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 101 | 48.79% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 207 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 207 | 85.89% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 34 | 14.11% |
| Total Housing Units: | 241 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 140 | 58.09% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 101 | 41.91% |
| Total Housing Units: | 241 | 100% |
In 2024, 36.60% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 45.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 100.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 100.00 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 (100.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, 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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 44 | 14.77% |
| Some college, no degree: | 54 | 18.12% |
| Associate's degree: | 91 | 30.54% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 109 | 36.58% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 298 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 298 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 109 | 36.58% |
| Private Insurance: | 219 | 56.44% |
| Public Insurance: | 169 | 43.56% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 388 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 388 | 100.00% |
| 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% | 36.8% | 26.5% | 33.3% | 30.6% | 62.1% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 35.3% | 35.5% | 100.0% | 45.8% |
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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 90 | 100.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 90 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 90 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 87517 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 5 business establishments, employing about 15 people with an annual payroll of $465,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 224Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 5Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $39,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $465,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 15Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 87517 is located in Taos County, New Mexico, within the Taos, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 45340) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 32,937 people, about 1.40% of whom live in ZIP Code 87517. It covers 80.326 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Taos, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 45340Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 32,937Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 80.326 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: 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 87517 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 March 1, 2026.