Thoreau, New Mexico

Thoreau, New Mexico
Thoreau school and water tower
Location in McKinley County and the state of New Mexico
Thoreau, New Mexico
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 35°24′52″N 108°13′25″W / 35.41444°N 108.22361°W / 35.41444; -108.22361
CountryUnited States
StateNew Mexico
CountyMcKinley
Area
  Total
39.49 sq mi (102.3 km2)
  Land39.49 sq mi (102.3 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation
7,225 ft (2,202 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
2,367
  Density59.94/sq mi (23.14/km2)
Time zoneUTC-7 (MST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
87323
Area code505
FIPS code35-77530
GNIS feature ID2410078

Thoreau (Navajo: Dlǫ́ʼí Yázhí) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 2,367 at the 2020 census, up from 1,865 in 2010. It is majority Native American, primarily of the Navajo Nation, as Thoreau is located within its boundaries.

Practically all residents pronounce the town's name like "thuh-ROO" (similar to "through" or "threw") and not like "thorough" or "throw." The ZIP code for Thoreau is 87323.