PlainZIP

Plains, MT · standard

ZIP Code 59859

Sanders County, Montana — Census ACS demographics, housing tenure, and business patterns, benchmarked against every US ZIP.

3,270
2/sq mi
$64,846
Median income
$429,200
Median home value
20.7%
Bachelor's or higher

The verdict

Plains pairs a below-median household income with upper-quartile home values, in a rural, homeowner-dominated area.

38th pct
household income, US ZIPs
Top 18%
home value, US ZIPs
2
people per sq mi
78%
owner-occupied homes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023). Percentiles rank ZIP 59859 against every reporting US ZIP.

ZIP code 59859 is classified by USPS as a standard delivery area and covers roughly 1816.7 square miles in Plains, Sanders County, Montana. The area is home to 3,270 residents, producing a population density of 2 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 59859 against Montana and the nation.

On the economic side, the median household income for ZIP 59859 sits at $64,846 (7% below the Montana average), while per-capita income is $37,706. The poverty rate stands at 13.9% and the unemployment rate at 10.4%. On housing, the median home value is $429,200 (31% above the state average) with median rent at $865 per month, and 78.2% of occupied units are owner-occupied, a direct signal of whether 59859 behaves more like a homeowner neighborhood or a renter-heavy ZIP.

Education and household profile round out the picture: 20.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, the median age is 55.2, and the average commute is —. Use the benchmarks above to see where 59859 sits relative to Montana 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 →

Top industries in ZIP 59859

Top 5 sectors by establishment count

Which industries have the most business establishments in ZIP 59859.

establishments

What this shows Establishment counts come from the Census ZIP Code Business Patterns program, which counts physical business locations rather than employees or revenue.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) As of 2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates + ZIP Code Business Patterns + HUD FMR + FHFA HPI ACS demographics, ZBP business establishments, HUD Fair Market Rents, FHFA HPI for ZIP 59859, Plains, MT · 2023 Census ACS 5-Year Estimates use a rolling 60-month sample for stable small-geography estimates; ZBP updated annually; HUD FMR + FHFA HPI updated quarterly/annually.

Quick Facts

3,270

Population

1816.7

Area (sq mi)

2

People / sq mi

Denver

Time Zone

standard

ZIP Type

Neighborhood Scorecard
Get an A-F grade across income, safety, housing, rent, education, commute, and childcare for this ZIP code.
View Scorecard →

Who lives in ZIP 59859?

55.2

Median Age

49.7%

Male

50.3%

Female

1.7%

Foreign-Born

White 92.9%
African American 0.5%
Asian 1.0%
American Indian or Alaska Native 1.7%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.0%
Two or More Ethnicities 3.8%
Hispanic or Latino 3.2%

Hispanic or Latino is an ethnicity category from the Census Bureau and may overlap with other categories above.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)

How much do residents earn?

$64,846

Median Household Income

-7% vs state

$37,706

Per Capita Income

13.9%

Poverty Rate

10.4%

Unemployment Rate

How ZIP 59859 ranks nationally

Household income vs. every US ZIP code

Median household income — the full national distribution, with this ZIP marked

$64,846 38th percentile higher than 38% of 30,318 US ZIPs

$0–$20,000: 118 US ZIPs (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$40,000: 1,573 US ZIPs (5%). Below this entry. $40,000–$60,000: 7,092 US ZIPs (23%). Below this entry. $60,000–$80,000: 9,980 US ZIPs (33%). This entry sits in this band. $80,000–$100,000: 5,778 US ZIPs (19%). Above this entry. $100,000–$120,000: 2,855 US ZIPs (9%). Above this entry. $120,000–$140,000: 1,362 US ZIPs (4%). Above this entry. $140,000–$160,000: 686 US ZIPs (2%). Above this entry. $160,000–$180,000: 364 US ZIPs (1%). Above this entry. $180,000–$200,000: 186 US ZIPs (1%). Above this entry. $200,000–$220,000: 324 US ZIPs (1%). Above this entry. This ZIP $0 $200K+ every reporting US ZIP, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US ZIPs. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2019–2023

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)

What is the education profile here?

High School Graduate or Higher 50.8%
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 20.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)

What does housing look like?

2,180

Total Housing Units

1,854

Occupied Units

326

Vacant Units

2.31

Avg Household Size

Occupancy Type

Owner 78.2%
Renter 21.8%

$429,200

Median Home Value

+31% vs state

$865

Median Rent

1995

Median Year Built

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023)

How have home values changed over time?

FHFA House Price Index, annual appreciation data based on repeat sales and appraisals

-5.3%

YoY Change (2024)

375

HPI Index (2000 = 100)

+275%

Total Change Since 2000

Home values in ZIP 59859 have decreased 5.3% over the past year (2024). Since 2000, this ZIP has seen +275% cumulative appreciation.

Year Annual Change HPI Index
2020 +9.0% 237
2021 +15.2% 273
2022 +16.1% 317
2023 +25.2% 396
2024 -5.3% 375

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) House Price Index, All-Transactions, Five-Digit ZIP Codes (Developmental Index). Index base = 100 in year 2000. Data through 2024. ZIP codes with few transactions may show missing values.

What businesses operate in this ZIP?

Census Bureau data shows 111 business establishments in ZIP 59859, employing approximately 909 people with a combined annual payroll of $35,956,000.

111

Businesses

909

Employees

$36.0M

Annual Payroll

13

Industry Sectors

Industry Establishments % of Total
Construction 22 19.8%
Retail trade 16 14.4%
Health care and social assistance 12 10.8%
Accommodation and food services 11 9.9%
Other services (except public administration) 10 9.0%
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction 5 4.5%
Manufacturing 5 4.5%
Transportation and warehousing 4 3.6%
Finance and insurance 4 3.6%
Real estate and rental and leasing 4 3.6%
Professional, scientific, and technical services 4 3.6%
Arts, entertainment, and recreation 4 3.6%
Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services 3 2.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP), 2023. Employment figures may include noise for disclosure avoidance.

More ZIP Codes in Sanders County

59873 standard
Thompson Falls, MT
Pop: 3,085
59874 standard
Trout Creek, MT
Pop: 1,568
59845 standard
Hot Springs, MT
Pop: 1,186
59844 standard
Heron, MT
Pop: 736
59853 standard
Noxon, MT
Pop: 699
59831 standard
Dixon, MT
Pop: 454

Related Areas

Sanders County Plains, MT Montana

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is ZIP code 59859 in? ▼
ZIP code 59859 (Plains) is located in Sanders County, Montana. Sanders County contains multiple ZIP codes, see the full list at /counties/sanders-mt.
What is the population of ZIP code 59859? ▼
ZIP code 59859 in Plains, MT has a population of 3,270 according to the Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.
What is the median household income in ZIP 59859? ▼
The median household income in ZIP 59859 is $64,846, which is 15% below the national average of $76,288.
What is the average home value in ZIP 59859? ▼
The median home value in ZIP 59859 is $429,200, which is 54% above the national average of $278,155.
What is the demographic makeup of ZIP 59859? ▼
The largest racial group in ZIP 59859 is White at 92.9%. Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.2% of the population.
How many businesses are in ZIP code 59859? ▼
ZIP code 59859 has 111 business establishments employing approximately 909 people, according to Census Bureau ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZBP) 2023 data.
What are the main industries in ZIP code 59859? ▼
The top industries by establishment count in ZIP 59859 are: Construction (22), Retail trade (16), Health care and social assistance (12). There are 13 industry sectors represented in total.
How have home values changed in ZIP code 59859? ▼
According to the FHFA House Price Index, home values in ZIP 59859 decreased by 5.3% in 2024. Since 2000, home values in this ZIP have appreciated by approximately 275%. This is a developmental index based on repeat sales and appraisal data from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
What is the education level in ZIP code 59859? ▼
In ZIP code 59859, 50.8% of residents aged 25+ have a high school diploma or higher, and 20.7% hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These figures come from the Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2023).
What percentage of residents own vs. rent in ZIP 59859? ▼
In ZIP code 59859, approximately 78.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied and 21.8% are renter-occupied, based on Census ACS 2023 data.
What is the poverty rate in ZIP code 59859? ▼
The poverty rate in ZIP code 59859 is 13.9% according to Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. This measures the percentage of the population living below the federal poverty threshold.

ZIP Code Research Guides

Reading Census Demographics
How to interpret population, income, and education data from the Census Bureau.
Understanding ZIP Code Data
What ZIP codes are, how ZCTAs differ, and what the data reveals.
Best ZIP Codes for Families
Key factors to evaluate when choosing a family-friendly neighborhood.
ZIP Codes for Relocation
Data-driven tips for evaluating ZIP codes before a move.

Official Data Resources for Plains, MT

Verify and explore additional data for this area using these official government sources.

U.S. Census Bureau
Official demographic, economic, and housing data from the American Community Survey.
HUD Fair Market Rents
Department of Housing and Urban Development rental cost estimates by metropolitan area.
FBI Uniform Crime Reports
Official crime statistics compiled from law enforcement agencies nationwide.
FHFA House Price Index
Federal Housing Finance Agency home value trends based on repeat sales and appraisals.

Read our methodology to see how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.