| City: | Kirkwood, California |
| City Alias: | Pioneer |
| Names to Avoid: | Amador Station, Black Station, Buckhorn, Hams Station, Iron Mountain, Peddler Hill |
| County: | Alpine County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:59:41 AM |
| Population: | 188 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 530 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 38.6327, -119.9987 |
| Land Area: | 53.386 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Kirkwood sits at high elevation in Alpine County, California, spanning 54.9 square miles of Sierra Nevada mountain territory. This is one of California's most remote ski resort communities, where extreme seasonal patterns shape everything about mail delivery and postal services.
Of the 642 housing units in Kirkwood, 555 are vacant most of the year. That's 86% seasonal occupancy. During ski season, the population swells with skiers, resort workers, and vacation homeowners. Come summer, just 78 households remain year-round.
The Kirkwood post office maintains 104 PO Boxes for these 78 occupied homes, a 1.33 adoption rate that accounts for seasonal property owners who keep boxes year-round even when they're not in residence.
Group quarters house 52 people, about 27% of the year-round population of 188. These are likely resort employee housing units. Census data shows 83.3% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median household income reaches $145,341. These aren't typical small-town numbers. They point to educated professionals who can afford second homes in premium ski country where median property values hit $568,200.
Mail reaches Kirkwood via both city carrier route and rural route, an unusual Urban+Rural delivery pattern for such a small community. The only street in the ZIP+4 data is Kirkwood Meadows Drive.
USPS recognizes seven historical station names as aliases, though they're not valid for mailing: Peddler Hill, Iron Mountain, Hams Station, Buckhorn, Black Station, and Amador Station. Pioneer is also accepted as a mailing name. These names trace back to 19th-century Sierra Nevada mining and logging camps that once dotted this high mountain corridor.
With a median age of 43.5 years and very few children (only 2 residents under 18), Kirkwood functions more as an adult recreation and second-home retreat than a family community.
This isn't a PO Box Only Zone. Street delivery does exist, but the high box adoption rate makes sense for vacation property owners who need year-round mail access regardless of when they're actually on the mountain.
Only one street appears in ZIP+4 data, with minimal addressing infrastructure typical of mountain resort communities.
ZIP Code 95646 has 188 residents and 78 households (average 1.74 persons per household). The median age is 43.5 years, older than the state (37.5) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 63.8% male and 36.2% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (84.0%, much higher than the state average of 41.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (3.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.7%, which is much lower than the state average (39.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 188Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 218Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.5 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 78Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $783,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.74Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 7.24Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 123 | 105 | 66 | 98 | 75 | 64 | 73 | 76 | 80 | 156 | 232 | 249 | 406 | 218 |
| Decennial Census | 158 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 188 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 43.5
Male Median Age: 40.5
Female Median Age: 46.5
| 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 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Female | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 2 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 28 | 18 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| White: | 158 | 85.87% |
| Black: | 6 | 3.26% |
| Hispanic:* | 7 | 3.80% |
| Asian: | 5 | 2.72% |
| American Indian: | 6 | 3.26% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 2 | 1.09% |
| Total: | 184 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 120 | 63.83% | 40.5 years |
| Females: | 68 | 36.17% | 46.5 years |
| Total: | 188 | 100% | 43.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 158 | 72.48% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 42 | 19.27% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 18 | 27.52% |
| Total Population: | 218 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 158 | 72.48% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 60 | 27.52% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $37,813 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $80,227. 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 considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 62.1%, which is modestly under the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (65.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $37,813 | $38,015 | $0 | $39,375 | $0 | $0 | $58,125 | $60,875 | $80,227 | $124,167 | $129,844 | $138,295 | $145,341 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $153,250 | $146,174 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $37,813 | $38,015 | $0 | $39,375 | $0 | $0 | $58,125 | $60,875 | $66,250 | $0 | $55,909 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $21,667 | $35,313 | $29,063 | $0 | $0 | $90,568 | $0 | $170,882 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $81,250 | $85,568 | $0 |
| Employed: | 123 | 62.12% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 75 | 37.88% |
| Total: | 198 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 80 | 65.04% |
| Service: | 31 | 25.20% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 5 | 4.07% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 7 | 5.69% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 123 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $783,300, which is much higher than the national median ($332,700), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $124,200. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $679 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 73.33% (79.55% with a mortgage, 20.45% free-and-clear) and renters 26.67% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 91.61%, which is markedly above the national rate (10.12%).
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 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $659,100 | $364,700 | $393,200 | $529,800 | $568,200 | $783,300 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 16 | 100.00% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 16 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $679 | $679 | $0 | $745 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $675 | $0 | $0 | $3,501 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 35 | 58.33% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 9 | 15.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 16 | 26.67% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 60 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 60 | 8.39% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 655 | 91.61% |
| Total Housing Units: | 715 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 437 | 61.12% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 252 | 35.24% |
| Other Units: | 26 | 3.64% |
| Total Housing Units: | 715 | 100% |
In 2024, 77.90% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far higher than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 98.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 3.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 18.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 8.60 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 8.60 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 elementary (58.82%). College enrollment is 41.18%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 2 | 1.10% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 38 | 20.99% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 50 | 27.62% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 91 | 50.28% |
| Total: | 181 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 179 | 98.90% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 141 | 77.90% |
| Private Insurance: | 181 | 64.41% |
| Public Insurance: | 93 | 33.10% |
| No Insurance: | 7 | 2.49% |
| Total: | 281 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 274 | 97.51% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 13.2% | 8.6% | 18.0% |
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 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 20 | 58.82% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 14 | 41.18% |
| Total: | 34 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 20 | 58.82% |
ZIP Code 95646 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 15 business establishments, employing about 150 people with an annual payroll of $9,136,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 122Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 15Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $2,782,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $9,136,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 150Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 95646 is located in Alpine County, California, within the Gardnerville Ranchos, NV-CA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 23820) and California's 4th Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 46,997 people, about 0.40% of whom live in ZIP Code 95646. It covers 53.386 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.888 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Gardnerville Ranchos, NV-CASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 23820Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 46,997Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 53.386 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.888 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 12836.2 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0638646Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Kirkwood CDP; CaliforniaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 95646 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.