| City: | Sunspot, New Mexico |
| County: | Otero County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:35:41 PM |
| Population: | 22 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 32.7844, -105.8187 |
| Land Area: | 15.045 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The post office maintains 9 PO Boxes serving 8 occupied households, with an adoption rate of 1.12. That rate exceeds the local population, meaning the facility also serves scientists, contractors, or visitors from surrounding areas who need a mailing address at this remote location. There's no street delivery infrastructure. Mail goes to boxes or to the single named building in the postal database: POSTMASTER.
The ZIP's 4 streets include Main Street, Coronal Loop, Hound Dog Hill, and Mearlewo. Coronal Loop takes its name from the sun's corona, the outer atmosphere visible during eclipses. That naming pattern reflects the observatory's scientific mission. The median age is 28.5 years, younger than New Mexico's statewide median of 38.1, consistent with a working-age research population.
Delivery here follows an unusual pattern for such a small population. The ZIP has 3 rural routes, 1 highway contract route, and 1 general delivery route. That infrastructure exists to reach buildings spread across 40 square miles of mountainous terrain. PO Boxes aren't a matter of choice but geographic necessity. When your mail has to travel up a mountain to reach an observatory, boxes become the practical solution.
The 4 streets in Sunspot reflect its identity as a scientific research site. Coronal Loop references the sun's corona, the outer atmosphere studied by astronomers. The minimal street count and single-record delivery points confirm this isn't a conventional town but a specialized facility where buildings serve research rather than residential purposes.
ZIP Code 88349 has 22 residents and 8 households (average 0.63 persons per household). The median age is 28.5 years, significantly younger than the state (39.2) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 63.6% male and 36.4% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (50.0%, much lower than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (22.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 22.7%, which is much lower than the state average (47.7%), and Black or African American share is much higher than the state average (2.2%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 22Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 0Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 1.5 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 8Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 0.63Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 0.83Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 75 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Decennial Census | 70 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 22 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 28.5
Male Median Age: 39.5
Female Median Age: 25.5
| 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 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 11 | 45.83% |
| Black: | 3 | 12.50% |
| Hispanic:* | 5 | 20.83% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 1 | 4.17% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 4 | 16.67% |
| Total: | 24 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 14 | 63.64% | 39.5 years |
| Females: | 8 | 36.36% | 25.5 years |
| Total: | 22 | 100% | 28.5 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 $90,313 (100.0%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. 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.
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 | $90,313 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $90,313 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $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), 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), is down $544 (100.00%) since 2011 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 | $0 | $0 | $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 | $544 | $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): | 48 | 100.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 48 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 48 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Housing Units: | 48 | 100% |
ZIP Code 88349 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: | 121Source: 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 88349 is located in Otero County, New Mexico, within the Alamogordo, NM Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 10460) and New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 68,235 people, about 0.03% of whom live in ZIP Code 88349. It covers 15.045 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.002 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Alamogordo, NMSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 10460Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 68,235Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 15.045 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.002 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 71739.49 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 88349 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 February 1, 2026.