| City: | Watrous, New Mexico |
| County: | Mora County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:29:33 PM |
| Population: | 182 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 35.9178, -104.9525 |
| Land Area: | 182.967 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Watrous sits in northeastern New Mexico's Mora County, a small rural community spanning 50 square miles. With 182 residents across 85 households, this is one of the state's quieter settlements. The median age of 56.7 years indicates an older, established population rather than a growing or family-oriented town.
The Watrous post office maintains 87 PO Boxes for the community's 85 households, yielding an adoption rate of 1.02. While street delivery exists through one rural carrier route and one highway contract route, most residents use PO Boxes. This isn't a PO Box Only Zone, but the rural character and scattered settlement pattern make boxes the practical choice for many.
Street names tell the story of a historic settlement. Railroad Avenue and Bridge Street anchor what appears to be an old railroad town, while numbered streets (2nd Avenue, 2nd Street) suggest an early grid layout. State Highway 161 runs through the area with the most delivery points (9 records), connecting Watrous to the wider region. County roads C017 and C018 extend service into the surrounding countryside.
The housing stock reflects the town's age. Of the 108 total housing units, 27 were built before 1939. That's a quarter of the housing dating back at least 85 years. Twelve mobile homes add more recent affordable options. With 73% of occupied units owner-occupied (62 of 85), this is a community of long-term residents rather than transient renters. Thirteen units stand vacant for seasonal or occasional use, about 12% of total housing.
Watrous doesn't appear in the Census Bureau's business establishment data, showing zero recorded businesses. The eight business delivery points at the post office suggest very small-scale local commerce. This is primarily a residential settlement where people likely commute elsewhere for work or are retired. The population-to-household ratio of 2.1 people per household is typical of older couples or smaller families.
Watrous is classified as a PO Box ZIP code, though rural route delivery is available for some addresses. For reliable mail service, a PO Box is recommended.
Street names point to a historic railroad settlement with early numbered grid streets and modern highway routes extending into surrounding rural areas.
ZIP Code 87753 has 182 residents and 85 households (average 2.14 persons per household). The median age is 56.7 years, significantly older than the state (39.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 52.2% male and 47.8% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (69.8%) and White (53.8%, much lower than the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 69.8%, which is much higher than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 182Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 0Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1.0 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 85Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.14Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.97Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 187 | 194 | 164 | 274 | 98 | 169 | 130 | 174 | 130 | 98 | 46 | 59 | 0 |
| Decennial Census | 254 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 182 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56.7
Male Median Age: 54.1
Female Median Age: 57.6
| 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 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| Female | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 3 |
| Total | 7 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 29 | 10 | 17 | 21 | 2 | 5 |
| White: | 98 | 38.43% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 127 | 49.80% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.78% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 28 | 10.98% |
| Total: | 255 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 95 | 52.20% | 54.1 years |
| Females: | 87 | 47.80% | 57.6 years |
| Total: | 182 | 100% | 56.7 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 0 | 0% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Population: | 0 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($62,125), is down $24,866 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $25,859. 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 narrowed from 2011 to 2023.
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 | $24,866 | $23,264 | $21,691 | $21,938 | $27,321 | $26,667 | $25,313 | $26,354 | $25,859 | $27,875 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $39,286 | $0 | $27,292 | $27,321 | $0 | $0 | $25,521 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $24,554 | $22,569 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $24,318 | $0 | $0 | $16,250 | $0 | $35,556 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 0 | 0% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 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 $0, which is considerably lower than the state median ($232,200), is down $103,700 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. 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. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
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 | $103,700 | $105,600 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 0 | 0% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 0 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 27 | 100.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 27 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 9 | 33.33% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 6 | 22.22% |
| Other Units: | 12 | 0% |
| Total Housing Units: | 27 | 100% |
ZIP Code 87753 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available. USPS data shows 0 residential mailboxes and 1 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 96Source: 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 87753 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 0.58% of whom live in ZIP Code 87753. It covers 182.967 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.408 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: | 182.967 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.408 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: | 3583830Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Watrous CDP; New MexicoSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 87753 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.