ZIP Code 88081

ZIP code 88081 is classified by USPS as a standard delivery area and covers roughly 1026.7 square miles in Chaparral, Otero County, New Mexico. The area is home to 15,708 residents, producing a population density of 15 people per square mile, and falls within the Denver time zone. These USPS and Census boundary values drive every downstream statistic on this page, including the benchmarks that compare 88081 against New Mexico and the nation.

On the economic side, the median household income for ZIP 88081 sits at $46,017 (22% below the New Mexico average), while per-capita income is $19,261. The poverty rate stands at 27.4% and the unemployment rate at 6.2%. On housing, the median home value is $109,300 (49% below the state average) with median rent at $853 per month, and 69.4% of occupied units are owner-occupied, a direct signal of whether 88081 behaves more like a homeowner neighborhood or a renter-heavy ZIP.

Education and household profile round out the picture: 9.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 32.4, and the average commute is 30 minutes. Use the benchmarks above to see where 88081 sits relative to New Mexico and the national baseline rather than viewing the numbers in isolation. Every figure is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, HUD Fair Market Rents, and FHFA Home Price Index data, no estimates, no proprietary scoring. Verify with HUD →