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Thoreau, NM
Census-designated place in McKinley County, New Mexico. ZIP codes: 87323.
Population
1,973
Land area
39.5sq mi
People per sq mi
50
ZIP codes
1
Thoreau and its ZIP codes
Thoreau at a glance
- Thoreau is about 2.9 times as dense as New Mexico as a whole.
- By population, it ranks 97th among 495 cities and towns in New Mexico.
- The median household income is $45,469, 29% below the New Mexico median of $64,059.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $95,200 (62% below New Mexico) and median rent is $483 a month.
Local data for Thoreau, NM
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Thoreau, NM, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$45,469
Poverty rate
27.5%
Median home value
$95,200
Median rent
$483/mo
Homeownership
80.2%
Bachelor's or higher
4.2%
Median age
34.8
Average commute
46.5 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Mexican Americans (78), German Americans (73), Filipino Americans (26).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for McKinley County. PPP loans are for Thoreau.
Unemployment rate
6.9%
Aug 2026, +1.2 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$49,177
19,353 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$37,085
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$561M
FY 2026, $7,688 per person
PPP loans
$697K
18 loans, 130 jobs reported
How people get to work
Thoreau, NM, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone78.9%
- Carpooled4.7%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked1.7%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home14.6%
Average one-way commute: 46.5 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Thoreau, NM, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: lightning
Storm events since 1996
552
Countywide, mostly drought
Flood insurance policies
35
0.2% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
89° / 12°F
12.2 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone1 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Thoreau, NM, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
41.4%
U.S. 33.3% +8.1 pts
Diabetes
18.3%
U.S. 12.1% +6.2 pts
Smoking
29.6%
U.S. 12.8% +16.8 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
15.9%
U.S. 11.1% +4.8 pts
ZIP codes in Thoreau
1 in or overlapping Thoreau. Population shown
Cities near Thoreau
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| Continental DivideCensus-designated place | 7.3 mi | 2.7 |
| BluewaterCensus-designated place | 7.3 mi | 12.3 |
| PrewittCensus-designated place | 8.5 mi | 13.8 |
| Red Rock RanchCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 4.8 |
| Homer C JonesCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 0.2 |
| StoneridgeCensus-designated place | 10 mi | 0.8 |
| Las TusasCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 3 |
| JamestownCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 2.7 |
| Borrego PassCensus-designated place | 14 mi | 13.2 |
| HaystackCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 4.3 |
| Bluewater VillageCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 7.5 |
| PinedaleCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 10.3 |
| IyanbitoCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 9.5 |
| McGaffeyCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.8 |
| Fort WingateCensus-designated place | 20 mi | 2 |
| CrownpointCensus-designated place | 21 mi | 67.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Thoreau, NM in?
- Thoreau is in McKinley County, New Mexico.
- What ZIP codes are in Thoreau, NM?
- ZIP codes in or overlapping Thoreau include 87323.
- What is the population of Thoreau, NM?
- About 1,973 people live in Thoreau, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Thoreau?
- Nearby places include Continental Divide (7.3 mi), Bluewater (7.3 mi), Prewitt (8.5 mi), Red Rock Ranch (10 mi), Homer C Jones (10 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023