| City: | Vaughn, New Mexico |
| Names to Avoid: | East Vaughn |
| County: | Guadalupe County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:35:50 PM |
| Population: | 305 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 575 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 34.6691, -105.1023 |
| Land Area: | 495.686 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Vaughn sits at the junction of three US highways in the high plains of east-central New Mexico. This crossroads community of 305 people serves as a regional mail hub for 718 square miles of Guadalupe County ranch country. The numbered street grid (2nd through 12th Streets running east and west) forms the town's core, while US Highways 54, 60, and 285 converge here.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the entire 718 square mile territory. The Vaughn post office maintains 207 PO Boxes for 144 households, an adoption rate of 1.44. That means the post office serves not just local residents but ranchers and communities scattered across the surrounding region. Mail is delivered to local addresses via one rural carrier route and one highway contract route.
Vaughn's 305 residents skew older, with a median age of 49.9 years. Only 10 residents are under 18. Of the 185 total housing units, 144 are occupied and 41 stand vacant. Homeownership is common: 106 owner-occupied units versus 38 rentals. Median household income sits at $26,613, with a per capita income of $13,363. Only 6.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The town's economy is modest. Seven business establishments employ 74 workers. Major employment sectors include transportation and warehousing (220 workers, likely highway-related industries), public administration (89 workers), and educational/healthcare services (22 workers). Commuting patterns are unusual: 53 workers carpool (high for rural areas), while 30 drive alone. About 14% work from home.
Street names mix the utilitarian (numbered grid streets, US Highway routes) with the natural (Cedar Avenue, Oak Street, Yucca Avenue) and the quirky (Jackalope Road, Roadrunner Road). These high plains streets tell the story of a highway town in ranch country. An alias "East Vaughn" appears in postal records but isn't valid for mailing.
Vaughn has served as a regional service point since before October 2004, when ZIP code tracking began. For this remote corner of New Mexico, the post office isn't just where you pick up mail. It's the connection point for communities too dispersed for carrier delivery.
Numbered grid streets form the town core, while US Highway routes and whimsical names like Jackalope Road and Roadrunner Road capture the high plains character.
ZIP Code 88353 has 305 residents and 144 households (average 2.12 persons per household). The median age is 49.9 years, significantly older than the state (39.2) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 45.9% male and 54.1% female, which is lower than the state male share (49.3%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are Hispanic or Latino (76.1%) and White (46.9%, much lower than the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 76.1%, 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: | 305Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 583Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $26,613Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 144Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $45,800Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.12Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.74Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 481 | 532 | 534 | 509 | 437 | 389 | 311 | 152 | 306 | 302 | 383 | 528 | 583 |
| Decennial Census | 473 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 305 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 49.9
Male Median Age: 40.3
Female Median Age: 55.9
| 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 | 10 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 8 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Female | 6 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 7 |
| Total | 16 | 29 | 8 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 7 | 23 | 10 | 14 | 15 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 24 | 16 | 13 | 10 |
| White: | 143 | 31.02% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.43% |
| Hispanic:* | 232 | 50.33% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.65% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.43% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 79 | 17.14% |
| Total: | 461 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 140 | 45.90% | 40.3 years |
| Females: | 165 | 54.10% | 55.9 years |
| Total: | 305 | 100% | 49.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 538 | 92.28% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 26 | 4.46% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 19 | 7.72% |
| Total Population: | 583 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 538 | 92.28% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 45 | 7.72% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $26,613, which is far less than the national median ($78,538), is down $470 (1.7%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $8,696. Family households earn a median of $38,750 versus $11,912 for nonfamily households (a difference of $26,838). By gender, male median income is $25,764 and female is $24,688, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $1,076 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 62.9%, which is above the state rate (57.8%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is far lower than the state rate (5.9%). The largest occupation group is Natural resources (46.6%).
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 | $27,083 | $26,810 | $30,179 | $30,729 | $31,406 | $30,078 | $23,393 | $22,727 | $17,917 | $20,833 | $22,656 | $26,471 | $26,613 |
| Median Family Income | $40,114 | $35,268 | $41,000 | $38,594 | $37,708 | $35,000 | $0 | $33,203 | $33,661 | $36,250 | $37,917 | $49,167 | $38,750 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $17,386 | $17,813 | $18,977 | $18,333 | $21,964 | $21,607 | $20,750 | $16,597 | $13,438 | $17,222 | $13,000 | $11,765 | $11,912 |
| Median Male Income | $44,028 | $27,308 | $61,250 | $54,167 | $0 | $78,750 | $77,500 | $0 | $0 | $21,250 | $25,357 | $27,083 | $25,764 |
| Median Female Income | $16,528 | $16,719 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $14,500 | $14,063 | $14,375 | $0 | $22,188 | $24,688 |
| Employed: | 322 | 62.89% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 190 | 37.11% |
| Total: | 512 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 30 | 9.32% |
| Service: | 53 | 16.46% |
| Sales and Office: | 64 | 19.88% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 150 | 46.58% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 25 | 7.76% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 322 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $45,800, which is well under the national median ($303,400), is up $3,700 (8.79%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $900. The median gross rent is $438, which is far less than the national median ($1,348), is up $213 (94.67%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $63. Of occupied housing, owners make up 61.67% (10.81% with a mortgage, 89.19% free-and-clear) and renters 38.33% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 35.02%, which is far 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 | $42,100 | $43,500 | $45,000 | $45,800 | $44,200 | $45,600 | $43,500 | $45,200 | $46,700 | $49,000 | $48,200 | $48,500 | $45,800 |
| Less than $500: | 23 | 33.33% |
| $500 to $999: | 8 | 11.59% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 4 | 5.80% |
| $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: | 34 | 49.28% |
| Total: | 69 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $225 | $283 | $820 | $825 | $870 | $840 | $0 | $325 | $375 | $392 | $382 | $414 | $438 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 12 | 6.67% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 99 | 55.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 69 | 38.33% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 180 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 180 | 64.98% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 97 | 35.02% |
| Total Housing Units: | 277 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 198 | 71.48% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 29 | 10.47% |
| Other Units: | 50 | 18.05% |
| Total Housing Units: | 277 | 100% |
In 2023, 6.10% 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 68.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 23.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 19.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 67.20%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 41.70%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), up 35.80 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.10 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is high school (58.57%). 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: | 10 | 2.79% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 102 | 28.41% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 161 | 44.85% |
| Some college, no degree: | 56 | 15.60% |
| Associate's degree: | 8 | 2.23% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 14 | 3.90% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 8 | 2.23% |
| Total: | 359 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 247 | 68.80% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 22 | 6.13% |
| Private Insurance: | 111 | 17.32% |
| Public Insurance: | 392 | 61.15% |
| No Insurance: | 138 | 21.53% |
| Total: | 641 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 503 | 78.47% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.9% | 11.1% | 12.3% | 15.6% | 20.7% | 23.1% | 16.3% | 21.6% | 38.6% | 42.3% | 46.8% | 35.7% | 41.7% |
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: | 13 | 9.29% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 45 | 32.14% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 82 | 58.57% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 140 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 13 | 9.29% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 140 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 88353 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 7 business establishments, employing about 70 people with an annual payroll of $1,628,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 533Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 7Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $424,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,628,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 70Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 88353 is located in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 88353. It covers 495.686 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 495.686 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 4600.14 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3582570Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Vaughn town; New MexicoSource: Census |
ZIP Code 88353 is in the Vaughn Municipal Schools, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 2 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 January 1, 2026.