Thoreau (Navajo: Dlǫ́ʼí Yázhí) is a census-designated place (CDP) in McKinley County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,863 at the 2000 census. It is majority Native American, primarily of the Navajo Nation, as this community 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." A history of the town was compiled by local author in her book Thoreau, Where the Trails Cross!, published in 1982.The ZIP code for Thoreau is 87323.