| City: | Lovington, New Mexico |
| Names to Avoid: | Buckeye |
| County: | Lea County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:50:36 PM |
| Population: | 15,569 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 575 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 32.8496, -103.4384 |
| Land Area: | 814.915 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 88260 has 15,569 residents and 5,081 households (average 3.01 persons per household). The median age is 32.7 years, younger than the state (39.2) and younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.0% male and 49.0% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (68.0%) and White (43.3%, much lower than the state average of 51.0% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 68.0%, 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: | 15,569Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 15,410Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 15,450Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 19.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $75,197Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 5,081Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $174,200Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.01Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.98Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 14,260 | 14,341 | 14,770 | 14,883 | 14,861 | 15,082 | 15,288 | 15,142 | 14,869 | 14,836 | 15,314 | 15,498 | 15,410 |
| Decennial Census | 14,343 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 15,569 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 32.7
Male Median Age: 31.6
Female Median Age: 33.8
| 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 | 604 | 635 | 767 | 722 | 543 | 523 | 523 | 605 | 506 | 457 | 424 | 414 | 380 | 305 | 222 | 153 | 90 | 70 |
| Female | 532 | 627 | 702 | 605 | 475 | 466 | 545 | 549 | 474 | 446 | 411 | 400 | 396 | 328 | 275 | 162 | 127 | 106 |
| Total | 1,136 | 1,262 | 1,469 | 1,327 | 1,018 | 989 | 1,068 | 1,154 | 980 | 903 | 835 | 814 | 776 | 633 | 497 | 315 | 217 | 176 |
| White: | 6,736 | 29.19% |
| Black: | 267 | 1.16% |
| Hispanic:* | 10,582 | 45.86% |
| Asian: | 99 | 0.43% |
| American Indian: | 188 | 0.81% |
| Hawaiian: | 2 | 0.01% |
| Other: | 5,200 | 22.54% |
| Total: | 23,074 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 7,943 | 51.02% | 31.6 years |
| Females: | 7,626 | 48.98% | 33.8 years |
| Total: | 15,569 | 100% | 32.7 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 12,104 | 78.55% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 139 | 0.90% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 754 | 4.89% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2,413 | 20.55% |
| Total Population: | 15,410 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 12,243 | 79.45% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 3,167 | 20.55% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $75,197, which is far above the state median ($62,125), is up $27,493 (57.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $21,513. Family households earn a median of $75,163 versus $67,917 for nonfamily households (a difference of $7,246). By gender, male median income is $67,014 and female is $40,088, which is well under the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $26,926 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 62.1%, which is well above the state rate (57.8%). The unemployment rate is 5.8%, which is slightly higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (33.3%).
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 | $47,704 | $45,958 | $46,414 | $49,740 | $51,892 | $51,368 | $54,293 | $53,444 | $53,684 | $62,815 | $65,203 | $72,510 | $75,197 |
| Median Family Income | $53,522 | $54,811 | $57,350 | $57,902 | $61,207 | $59,876 | $59,993 | $60,639 | $60,992 | $64,464 | $66,794 | $73,987 | $75,163 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $27,738 | $25,363 | $26,406 | $27,880 | $28,242 | $33,750 | $40,216 | $35,313 | $31,047 | $35,357 | $34,183 | $61,168 | $67,917 |
| Median Male Income | $46,755 | $46,308 | $44,727 | $46,782 | $51,404 | $53,412 | $53,962 | $55,172 | $60,972 | $63,852 | $65,513 | $64,703 | $67,014 |
| Median Female Income | $26,869 | $28,225 | $30,988 | $31,671 | $27,312 | $27,177 | $30,378 | $29,666 | $29,980 | $31,630 | $34,360 | $38,125 | $40,088 |
| Employed: | 6,321 | 57.94% |
| Unemployed: | 394 | 3.61% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 4,195 | 38.45% |
| Total: | 10,910 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 2,106 | 33.32% |
| Service: | 746 | 11.80% |
| Sales and Office: | 1,066 | 16.86% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,311 | 20.74% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 1,092 | 17.28% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 6,321 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $174,200, which is well under the national median ($303,400), is up $82,400 (89.76%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $52,200. The median gross rent is $1,081, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,348), is up $475 (78.38%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $240. Of occupied housing, owners make up 74.28% (35.21% with a mortgage, 64.79% free-and-clear) and renters 25.72% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 14.93%, which is markedly above 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 | $91,800 | $87,500 | $91,200 | $91,000 | $99,300 | $103,100 | $109,200 | $115,400 | $122,000 | $128,000 | $142,400 | $161,400 | $174,200 |
| Less than $500: | 108 | 9.02% |
| $500 to $999: | 358 | 29.88% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 544 | 45.41% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 87 | 7.26% |
| $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: | 101 | 8.43% |
| Total: | 1,198 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $606 | $607 | $596 | $627 | $637 | $709 | $731 | $801 | $841 | $810 | $895 | $932 | $1,081 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 1,218 | 26.15% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 2,241 | 48.12% |
| Renter Occupied: | 1,198 | 25.72% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 4,657 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 4,657 | 85.07% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 817 | 14.93% |
| Total Housing Units: | 5,474 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 4,038 | 73.77% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 230 | 4.20% |
| Other Units: | 1,206 | 22.03% |
| Total Housing Units: | 5,474 | 100% |
In 2023, 14.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 74.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 13.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 45.70%, which is falls below the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 49.10%, which is well above the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 16.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), up 3.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 5.50 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (52.23%). College enrollment is 11.70%, 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: | 1,465 | 15.93% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 867 | 9.43% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 2,929 | 31.85% |
| Some college, no degree: | 1,707 | 18.56% |
| Associate's degree: | 875 | 9.51% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 574 | 6.24% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 780 | 8.48% |
| Total: | 9,197 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 6,865 | 74.64% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 1,354 | 14.72% |
| Private Insurance: | 6,885 | 42.25% |
| Public Insurance: | 7,385 | 45.32% |
| No Insurance: | 2,024 | 12.42% |
| Total: | 16,294 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 14,270 | 87.58% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 13.4% | 14.0% | 15.4% | 16.9% | 13.3% | 10.8% | 10.4% | 10.6% | 10.9% | 10.2% | 14.1% | 14.7% | 16.4% |
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: | 168 | 3.81% |
| Kindergarten: | 435 | 9.86% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 2,304 | 52.23% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 988 | 22.40% |
| College or graduate school: | 516 | 11.70% |
| Total: | 4,411 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 603 | 13.67% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 3,727 | 84.49% |
ZIP Code 88260 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 324 business establishments, employing about 3,663 people with an annual payroll of $246,291,000. USPS data shows 5,133 residential mailboxes and 358 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 5,133Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 358Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 6,359Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 4,352Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 138Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 324Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $57,890,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $246,291,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 3,663Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 88260 is located in Lea County, New Mexico, within the Hobbs, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 26020) and New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 73,154 people, about 21.28% of whom live in ZIP Code 88260. It covers 814.915 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.376 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Hobbs, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 26020Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 73,154Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 814.915 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.376 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: | 3544490Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Lovington city; New MexicoSource: Census |
ZIP Code 88260 is in the Lovington Public Schools, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 10 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 October 1, 2025.