| City: | Lookout, California |
| County: | Modoc County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 11:27:27 PM |
| Population: | 288 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 530 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 41.3391, -120.9749 |
| Land Area: | 117.784 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Lookout sits in the northeastern corner of California, covering 104 square miles of Modoc County high desert and pine country. This isn't a retirement community in the traditional sense. It's a working ranching area where people have aged in place. The median age of 55.3 years tells part of the story, but it's the low education rate (only 10% with bachelor's degrees) and high homeownership (84%) that show this is a community of long-term rural residents.
The Lookout post office maintains 138 PO Boxes for 131 occupied homes. This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. While most delivery happens via one rural carrier route serving the numbered county roads (County Road 90, 91, 87, 94), PO Boxes remain the primary address for nearly every household. The slight surplus of boxes (1.05 per household) suggests some residents maintain separate boxes for ranching operations or seasonal properties.
Lookout's economy runs on transportation and government work. Of the small workforce, 66 work in transportation, warehousing, and utilities. That's unusually high and likely connected to the area's role as a rural crossroads in Modoc County. Another 25 work in public administration. Just 3 business establishments operate here, employing 12 people total. What's striking: 34.1% of workers work from home. In a community with almost no college graduates, that suggests ranchers, remote caretakers, and others whose workplace is their property.
Housing stock is old and affordable. The median home value of $144,000 is low even for rural California. Of 210 total housing units, 79 sit vacant. Of those vacant homes, 35 are seasonal. That 44% seasonal rate among vacant properties points to hunting cabins, summer retreats, and second homes scattered across the pine forests and rangeland. The community is 86% white, with small Hispanic (13%) and Native American (4%) populations. It's overwhelmingly native-born (97%) and owner-occupied.
Mail arrives via numbered county roads that define the settlement pattern. County Road 90 has the most addresses (10 delivery points), followed by Cedar Drive (8) and County Roads 91 and 87 (7 each). Main Street exists but only has 2 delivery points. Nature-themed street names like Acorn Way and Artemesia Way appear sporadically, likely from small subdivisions. But the dominant pattern is county roads spreading across a vast, sparsely populated landscape where distances are measured in miles and neighbors are few.
Use PO Box addresses. While some rural route delivery exists for numbered county roads, the post office is the central mail hub for this 104-square-mile territory. Most residents maintain PO Boxes as their primary mailing address.
Numbered county roads dominate the address system, with only a minimal town center (Main Street has just 2 delivery points) and scattered nature-themed streets from small subdivisions.
ZIP Code 96054 has 288 residents and 131 households (average 2.20 persons per household). The median age is 55.3 years, significantly older than the state (37.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 54.2% male and 45.8% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (86.5%, much higher than the state average of 41.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (6.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 6.6%, which is much lower than the state average (39.4%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 288Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 242Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 2.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $71,917Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 131Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $144,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.20Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.27Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 332 | 291 | 250 | 294 | 276 | 260 | 269 | 339 | 319 | 265 | 237 | 269 | 242 |
| Decennial Census | 366 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 288 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 55.3
Male Median Age: 54.7
Female Median Age: 55.4
| 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 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 6 | 7 |
| Female | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 17 | 15 | 6 | 19 | 1 | 8 | 3 |
| Total | 17 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 30 | 13 | 14 | 10 |
| White: | 249 | 86.76% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 19 | 6.62% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.35% |
| American Indian: | 12 | 4.18% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 6 | 2.09% |
| Total: | 287 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 156 | 54.17% | 54.7 years |
| Females: | 132 | 45.83% | 55.4 years |
| Total: | 288 | 100% | 55.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 235 | 97.11% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 7 | 2.89% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 2.89% |
| Total Population: | 242 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 235 | 97.11% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 7 | 2.89% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $71,917, which is much lower than the state median ($96,334), is up $38,479 (115.1%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $30,250. Family households earn a median of $72,500 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $72,500). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($61,569), with a current gap of $0 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 44.2%, which is much lower than the state rate (63.9%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the state rate (6.4%). The largest occupation group is Service (50.0%).
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 | $33,438 | $41,806 | $16,944 | $21,875 | $22,019 | $28,906 | $35,208 | $39,231 | $41,667 | $42,386 | $56,875 | $67,823 | $71,917 |
| Median Family Income | $42,917 | $40,972 | $27,188 | $28,523 | $35,703 | $38,333 | $39,231 | $48,024 | $52,361 | $52,083 | $63,077 | $68,672 | $72,500 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $18,958 | $16,591 | $5,313 | $6,667 | $8,438 | $8,542 | $9,408 | $0 | $16,146 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $16,750 | $190,417 | $0 | $36,154 | $0 | $21,810 | $23,333 | $0 | $50,625 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $40,313 | $21,429 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,000 | $37,375 | $0 | $41,719 | $0 |
| Employed: | 102 | 44.16% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 129 | 55.84% |
| Total: | 231 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 2 | 1.96% |
| Service: | 51 | 50.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 13 | 12.75% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 23 | 22.55% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 13 | 12.75% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 102 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $144,000, which is much lower than the state median ($695,400), is down $16,400 (10.22%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $144,000. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,956), is down $482 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 94.96% (53.98% with a mortgage, 46.02% free-and-clear) and renters 5.04% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 47.81%, which is considerably higher than the state rate (7.55%).
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 | $160,400 | $89,200 | $151,000 | $132,500 | $153,700 | $161,000 | $260,900 | $252,300 | $0 | $156,800 | $124,600 | $146,600 | $144,000 |
| Less than $500: | 2 | 33.33% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 4 | 66.67% |
| Total: | 6 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $482 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 61 | 51.26% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 52 | 43.70% |
| Renter Occupied: | 6 | 5.04% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 119 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 119 | 52.19% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 109 | 47.81% |
| Total Housing Units: | 228 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 168 | 73.68% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 60 | 26.32% |
| Total Housing Units: | 228 | 100% |
In 2023, 10.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is markedly below the state rate (36.50%). High school or higher is 77.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 14.50%, which is on par with the state rate (8.40%), down 11.10 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 2.10 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (100.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is on par with the state rate (30.00%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 7 | 3.03% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 46 | 19.91% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 74 | 32.03% |
| Some college, no degree: | 40 | 17.32% |
| Associate's degree: | 41 | 17.75% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 17 | 7.36% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 6 | 2.60% |
| Total: | 231 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 178 | 77.06% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 23 | 9.96% |
| Private Insurance: | 126 | 47.01% |
| Public Insurance: | 142 | 52.99% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 268 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 268 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 25.6% | 26.0% | 26.2% | 16.5% | 9.4% | 1.2% | 2.3% | 11.3% | 12.4% | 13.2% | 8.8% | 12.5% | 14.5% |
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): | 11 | 100.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 11 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 11 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 96054 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 3 business establishments, employing about 16 people with an annual payroll of $773,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 201Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 3Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $118,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $773,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 16Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 96054 is located in Modoc County, California, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and California's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 96054. It covers 117.784 sq mi of land and a water area of 1.745 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: | 117.784 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 1.745 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 28089.47 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0643126Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Lookout CDP; CaliforniaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 96054 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.