| City: | Medanales, New Mexico |
| Names to Avoid: | Medalanes, Medenales |
| County: | Rio Arriba County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:24:53 AM |
| Population: | 650 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 505 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.1755, -106.1508 |
| Land Area: | 4.672 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Medanales sits in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, covering 7.9 square miles of rural terrain between the Rio Chama and the high desert. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The 650 residents receive mail exclusively through the Medanales post office, which maintains 345 PO Boxes for 283 households.
With 1.22 PO Boxes per household, the post office serves beyond its immediate borders. Residents from surrounding rural areas travel to Medanales for mail service. The post office operates one rural carrier route and one highway contract route for limited delivery, but most residents rely on PO Boxes.
County Road 142 carries the most delivery points with 15 addresses, followed by US Highway 84 with 7. Street names like Calle Azul, Camino Sabinal, and Rio Chama reflect the area's Spanish heritage, while Monument Valley Trail and Indian Ridge Boulevard reference the broader landscape of Northern New Mexico.
This is a settled rural community. Of 319 housing units, 248 are owner-occupied (87.6%). The median age of 46.4 years indicates an established population. Mobile homes account for 260 of the housing stock, typical of rural New Mexico communities where land is plentiful but construction costs are high.
Work from home rates reach 48.4%, well above national averages. In a place where the nearest services may be miles away, remote work makes rural living practical. The median household income of $68,750 suggests a middle-class community that balances rural character with modern economic participation.
Due to the PO Box Only designation, mail should be addressed to a PO Box number. The post office serves as the central mail access point for the community and surrounding areas.
Street names reflect Spanish cultural heritage with Calle Azul, Camino Sabinal, and Rio Chama, alongside Western and regional references like Monument Valley Trail and Indian Ridge Boulevard.
ZIP Code 87548 has 650 residents and 283 households (average 2.30 persons per household). The median age is 46.4 years, significantly older than the state (39.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.2% male and 48.8% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (79.1%) and White (37.5%, much lower than the state average of 51.0% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 79.1%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%), and Other / Two or More Races share is much higher than both the state (15.0%) and national averages (8.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 650Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,024Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 139.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $72,788Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 283Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.30Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.93Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,158 | 1,066 | 1,067 | 1,145 | 1,084 | 904 | 833 | 1,341 | 1,295 | 1,036 | 376 | 944 | 921 | 1,024 |
| Decennial Census | 928 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 650 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 46.4
Male Median Age: 46.6
Female Median Age: 46.1
| 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 | 11 | 14 | 27 | 21 | 20 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 27 | 23 | 36 | 26 | 13 | 32 | 4 | 12 | 5 |
| Female | 7 | 11 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 28 | 15 | 22 | 16 | 23 | 20 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 24 | 5 | 12 |
| Total | 18 | 25 | 47 | 41 | 39 | 26 | 44 | 35 | 37 | 43 | 46 | 56 | 52 | 31 | 48 | 28 | 17 | 17 |
| White: | 244 | 25.23% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.10% |
| Hispanic:* | 514 | 53.15% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 15 | 1.55% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 193 | 19.96% |
| Total: | 967 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 333 | 51.23% | 46.6 years |
| Females: | 317 | 48.77% | 46.1 years |
| Total: | 650 | 100% | 46.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 948 | 92.58% |
| 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: | 76 | 7.42% |
| Total Population: | 1,024 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 948 | 92.58% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 76 | 7.42% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $72,788, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is up $19,633 (36.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $24,594. Family households earn a median of $49,223 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $49,223). By gender, male median income is $41,723 and female is $41,348, which is well under the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $375 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 49.4%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Natural resources (34.9%).
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 | $53,155 | $56,971 | $73,194 | $75,190 | $76,413 | $46,790 | $45,585 | $0 | $48,194 | $0 | $57,460 | $68,445 | $68,750 | $72,788 |
| Median Family Income | $72,606 | $73,750 | $76,402 | $77,283 | $99,018 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $52,415 | $54,176 | $62,804 | $47,031 | $46,154 | $49,223 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $21,214 | $23,580 | $22,938 | $56,339 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $20,128 | $20,066 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $26,781 | $24,414 | $21,250 | $21,094 | $0 | $14,662 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $46,875 | $38,773 | $41,723 |
| Median Female Income | $24,944 | $29,741 | $42,500 | $57,773 | $0 | $62,052 | $47,596 | $0 | $26,833 | $27,079 | $0 | $38,484 | $41,074 | $41,348 |
| Employed: | 352 | 49.44% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 360 | 50.56% |
| Total: | 712 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 99 | 28.13% |
| Service: | 66 | 18.75% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 123 | 34.94% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 64 | 18.18% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 352 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $141,900 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $118,300. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $860 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 74.28% (79.77% with a mortgage, 20.23% free-and-clear) and renters 25.72% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 12.41%, which is markedly above 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 | $141,900 | $159,100 | $158,500 | $158,000 | $160,400 | $138,100 | $145,500 | $162,500 | $118,300 | $113,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 52 | 58.43% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 37 | 41.57% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 89 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $860 | $864 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $933 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 205 | 59.25% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 52 | 15.03% |
| Renter Occupied: | 89 | 25.72% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 346 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 346 | 87.59% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 49 | 12.41% |
| Total Housing Units: | 395 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 93 | 23.54% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 52 | 13.16% |
| Other Units: | 250 | 63.29% |
| Total Housing Units: | 395 | 100% |
In 2024, 9.80% 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 83.50%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 10.10 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 14.30 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (85.87%). College enrollment is 0.00%, 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: | 76 | 11.31% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 35 | 5.21% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 141 | 20.98% |
| Some college, no degree: | 253 | 37.65% |
| Associate's degree: | 101 | 15.03% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 66 | 9.82% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 672 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 561 | 83.48% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 66 | 9.82% |
| Private Insurance: | 601 | 51.54% |
| Public Insurance: | 565 | 48.46% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 1,166 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,166 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 10.1% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | -888,888,888.0% | 14.3% | 14.5% | 22.5% | 11.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
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): | 243 | 85.87% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 40 | 14.13% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 283 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 283 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 87548 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 4 business establishments, employing about 6 people with an annual payroll of $191,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 477Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 4Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $55,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $191,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 6Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 87548 is located in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, within the Espanola, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 21580) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 40,246 people, about 1.62% of whom live in ZIP Code 87548. It covers 4.672 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.067 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Espanola, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 21580Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 40,246Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 4.672 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.067 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: | 3547360Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Medanales CDP; New MexicoSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 87548 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.