| City: | Buena Vista, New Mexico |
| Names to Avoid: | Golondrinas |
| County: | Mora County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:28:58 PM |
| Population: | 232 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 35.8845, -105.2095 |
| Land Area: | 70.535 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Buena Vista sits in the high country of Mora County, New Mexico, where 232 residents are spread across 94 square miles of rural terrain. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across this territory. State Highway 161 and State Highway 518 cut through the area, connecting scattered homes and ranches.
The Buena Vista post office maintains 127 PO Boxes for 108 households. That's an adoption rate of 1.18, meaning the post office serves not just local residents but people from surrounding areas who have no other mail access. In rural New Mexico, the post office is often the only reliable connection to essential services.
This is a working community with a median household income of $12,297 and a median age of 49.6 years. Most homes (94%) are owner-occupied. Street names like Martinez Road, El Queso Road, and La Rama Road show the area's Spanish heritage. An alias, Golondrinas, is recognized by USPS but isn't valid for mailing addresses.
Rural carrier routes handle delivery to the handful of addresses that qualify. Most mail goes to PO Boxes at the post office. With just 8 business delivery points and no registered business establishments, this is primarily a residential area where people drive to town for packages, prescriptions, and government mail.
All mail should be addressed to PO Boxes in Buena Vista, NM 87712. Street delivery isn't available for most locations in this ZIP code.
Highway corridors and county roads connect scattered rural properties with Spanish-heritage names.
ZIP Code 87712 has 232 residents and 108 households (average 2.15 persons per household). The median age is 49.6 years, significantly older than the state (39.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.9% male and 49.1% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (72.0%) and White (56.9%, higher than the state average of 51.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 72.0%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 232Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 185Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $12,297Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 108Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $10,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.15Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.88Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 79 | 80 | 134 | 406 | 387 | 305 | 267 | 309 | 296 | 434 | 300 | 364 | 185 |
| Decennial Census | 283 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 232 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 49.6
Male Median Age: 43.8
Female Median Age: 54.3
| 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 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 12 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Female | 10 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| Total | 16 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 21 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 29 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 4 |
| White: | 132 | 37.93% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.57% |
| Hispanic:* | 167 | 47.99% |
| Asian: | 4 | 1.15% |
| American Indian: | 3 | 0.86% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 40 | 11.49% |
| Total: | 348 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 118 | 50.86% | 43.8 years |
| Females: | 114 | 49.14% | 54.3 years |
| Total: | 232 | 100% | 49.6 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 185 | 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: | 185 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 185 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $12,297, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $12,297. 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 well under the state female median ($47,122), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 0.0%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $81,111 | $83,724 | $0 | $40,795 | $98,071 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $12,297 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $40,227 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $23,679 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $61,179 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 185 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 185 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0% |
| Service: | 0 | 0% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 0 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $9,999, which is well under the national median ($303,400), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,999. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,021), 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 more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 21.78%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.43%).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $99,600 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $211,400 | $0 | $9,999 | $9,999 | $0 | $9,999 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 158 | 100.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 158 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 158 | 78.22% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 44 | 21.78% |
| Total Housing Units: | 202 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 74 | 36.63% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 128 | 63.37% |
| Total Housing Units: | 202 | 100% |
In 2023, 16.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 100.00%, which is on par with the state rate (87.70%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is on par with the state rate (9.50%). Public coverage is 77.30%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), 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. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
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): | 86 | 46.49% |
| Some college, no degree: | 42 | 22.70% |
| Associate's degree: | 27 | 14.59% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 30 | 16.22% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 185 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 185 | 100.00% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 30 | 16.22% |
| Private Insurance: | 99 | 40.91% |
| Public Insurance: | 143 | 59.09% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 242 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 242 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 28.4% | 100.0% |
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% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 87712 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: | 204Source: 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 87712 is located in Mora County, New Mexico, within the Las Vegas, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 29780) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 31,212 people, about 0.74% of whom live in ZIP Code 87712. It covers 70.535 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.819 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Las Vegas, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 29780Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 31,212Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 70.535 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.819 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 87712 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 January 1, 2026.