Zip code 86503: Chinle, Arizona

Q: What city is zip code 86503?

86503 is assigned to Chinle, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 86503 in?

86503 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 86503?

About 9,911 people live in 86503, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 86503?

The median household income in 86503 is $36,321.

Q: What zip codes are near 86503?

The closest zip codes to 86503 are 86538, 86520, 86540, 86547, 86556.

Residential delivery areaApache CountyMountain Time

Population

9,911

Median household income

$36K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$38K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$581/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

35.6

U.S. 38.9

Land area

991 sq mi

10 people/sq mi

Boundary is the Census Bureau's ZIP Code Tabulation Area, which closely tracks the postal delivery area.

About 86503

86503 is a rural zip code in Chinle, Arizona (Apache County), covering 991 sq mi of land. About 9,911 people live here, or 10 per square mile. The median resident is 35.6 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $36,321 a year, about 45% of the national median of $80,734. 32.5% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $37,800, or 1.0 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 73% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $581 a month.

16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 24.6 minutes each way, and 6% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; office and administrative support; and education. 89% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often another language, such as Arabic or a Native American language.

How 86503 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Healthcare workers21.1%
99th
U.S. 9.7% · AZ 9.3%6th of 393 in AZ
Government workers65.7%
99th
U.S. 14.5% · AZ 13.9%10th of 393 in AZ
Uninsured rate25.1%
98th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · AZ 10.5%40th of 392 in AZ
Poverty rate32.5%
97th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · AZ 12.5%49th of 392 in AZ
Income inequality (Gini)0.522
94th
WeaknessU.S. 0.483 · AZ 0.46435th of 388 in AZ
Housing vacancy19.2%
93rd
U.S. 10.1% · AZ 10.5%117th of 390 in AZ
Residents under 1828.8%
93rd
U.S. 22% · AZ 21.6%52nd of 394 in AZ
Unemployment rate9.1%
91st
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · AZ 5.1%83rd of 393 in AZ
Tech workers4.2%
71st
U.S. 3.8% · AZ 3.7%82nd of 393 in AZ
Homeownership rate72.8%
61st
U.S. 65.2% · AZ 67.4%224th of 390 in AZ
Average commute24.6 min
40th
U.S. 26.4 min · AZ 25.4 min217th of 373 in AZ
Median age35.6
25th
U.S. 38.9 · AZ 39272nd of 394 in AZ
Residents 65 and older13%
23rd
U.S. 17.2% · AZ 18.9%285th of 394 in AZ
Median earnings per worker$40,257
22nd
U.S. $49,666 · AZ $48,427260th of 387 in AZ
Foreign-born residents2.8%
17th
U.S. 14.1% · AZ 13%298th of 394 in AZ
Population9,911
15th
U.S. 334,922,499 · AZ 7,378,838202nd of 394 in AZ
Veterans3%
15th
U.S. 6.2% · AZ 7.9%349th of 394 in AZ
Bachelor's degree or higher16.1%
12th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · AZ 33.3%268th of 394 in AZ
Diversity index19.4
12th
U.S. 61.4 · AZ 61.9325th of 394 in AZ
Work from home5.5%
9th
U.S. 15.1% · AZ 18.4%323rd of 393 in AZ
Median household income$36,321
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · AZ $79,964345th of 374 in AZ
Per capita income$19,434
2nd
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · AZ $42,503341st of 394 in AZ
Rent-burdened renters19.2%
2nd
StrengthU.S. 51.1% · AZ 51.4%321st of 372 in AZ
Population density10/sq mi
1st
U.S. 95/sq mi · AZ 65/sq mi290th of 394 in AZ
Median home value$37,800
1st
U.S. $332,700 · AZ $394,500359th of 366 in AZ
Median gross rent$581
1st
U.S. $1,413 · AZ $1,543313th of 327 in AZ
Broadband access46.7%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 91% · AZ 91.5%370th of 390 in AZ
Self-employed workers2.5%
1st
U.S. 10% · AZ 9.9%345th of 393 in AZ

Measure	86503	Apache	AZ	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in AZ
Healthcare workers	21.1%	13.6%	9.3%	9.7%	99th	6th of 393
Government workers	65.7%	48.2%	13.9%	14.5%	99th	10th of 393
Uninsured rateWeakness	25.1%	18.2%	10.5%	8.4%	98th	40th of 392
Poverty rateWeakness	32.5%	30.5%	12.5%	12.5%	97th	49th of 392
Income inequality (Gini)Weakness	0.522	0.518	0.464	0.483	94th	35th of 388
Housing vacancy	19.2%	27.2%	10.5%	10.1%	93rd	117th of 390
Residents under 18	28.8%	26%	21.6%	22%	93rd	52nd of 394
Unemployment rateWeakness	9.1%	10.7%	5.1%	5.2%	91st	83rd of 393
Tech workers	4.2%	1.8%	3.7%	3.8%	71st	82nd of 393
Homeownership rate	72.8%	79.4%	67.4%	65.2%	61st	224th of 390
Average commute	24.6 min	28.1 min	25.4 min	26.4 min	40th	217th of 373
Median age	35.6	36.6	39	38.9	25th	272nd of 394
Residents 65 and older	13%	16.8%	18.9%	17.2%	23rd	285th of 394
Median earnings per worker	$40,257	$39,361	$48,427	$49,666	22nd	260th of 387
Foreign-born residents	2.8%	1.6%	13%	14.1%	17th	298th of 394
Population	9,911	65,341	7,378,838	334,922,499	15th	202nd of 394
Veterans	3%	5%	7.9%	6.2%	15th	349th of 394
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	16.1%	16.6%	33.3%	35.7%	12th	268th of 394
Diversity index	19.4	45.6	61.9	61.4	12th	325th of 394
Work from home	5.5%	9.1%	18.4%	15.1%	9th	323rd of 393
Median household incomeWeakness	$36,321	$41,438	$79,964	$80,734	2nd	345th of 374
Per capita incomeWeakness	$19,434	$20,885	$42,503	$44,673	2nd	341st of 394
Rent-burdened rentersStrength	19.2%	24.1%	51.4%	51.1%	2nd	321st of 372
Population density	10/sq mi	6/sq mi	65/sq mi	95/sq mi	1st	290th of 394
Median home value	$37,800	$63,700	$394,500	$332,700	1st	359th of 366
Median gross rent	$581	$647	$1,543	$1,413	1st	313th of 327
Broadband accessWeakness	46.7%	60%	91.5%	91%	1st	370th of 390
Self-employed workers	2.5%	5.1%	9.9%	10%	1st	345th of 393

The percentile is the share of Americans who live in a zip code with a lower value, so the 50th percentile is typical. Rank 1 is the highest value in the state. Both include zip codes with at least 100 residents. Strengths and weaknesses mark measures in the best or worst fifth nationally, where higher or lower is clearly better (income, poverty, education, commute, broadband, insurance and similar). Measures like age or density are left unmarked.

People

Age

Under 5

23%

5–17

18–24

12%

25–34

15%

35–44

12%

45–54

12%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

35.6

Under 18

28.8%

65 and over

13%

Race and ethnicity

White2%
Black1%
Hispanic2%
Asian2%
Native American90%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial3%

Diversity index

19.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

2.8%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

87.3%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

11%

Spanish

Other Indo-European

0.1%

Asian / Pacific

Other

86%

Households

Households: 3,206
Average household size: 3
Family households: 65.3%
Married couples: 35.3%
Living alone: 33%
Veterans (of adults): 3%
Male / female: 52% / 48%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

36%

$25–50k

25%

$50–75k

13%

$75–100k

11%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

86503

$36,321

Apache Co.

$41,438

Arizona

$79,964

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$19,434

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

32.5%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

6.2%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.522

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

86503

$37,800

Apache Co.

$63,700

Arizona

$394,500

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

86503

$581

Apache Co.

$647

Arizona

$1,543

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

68%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

19%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 3,966
Owner-occupied: 72.8%
Vacant: 19.2%
Median year built: 1990
Median rooms: 4.2
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 19.2%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 15.7%
Home value to income: 1.0× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

86%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

0.9%

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

13%

10–19

46%

20–29

30–44

20%

45–59

60+

10%

Average commute

24.6 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

9.1%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

42.4%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

21%

Office and admin

16%

Education

10%

Construction and repair

10%

Transportation and moving

Police and fire

Food service

Computer and math

Management

Cleaning and personal care

Sales

Production

Legal and social services

Engineering and science

Business and finance

Arts, media and sports

0.7%

Farming, fishing and forestry

Industries

Health care and social assistance

35%

Education

25%

Public administration

Construction

Retail

Restaurants and hotels

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Information

Admin, support and management

Arts and recreation

Other services

0.9%

Manufacturing

0.8%

Professional and technical services

0.7%

Finance, insurance and real estate

0.5%

Wholesale

Agriculture and mining

Median earnings per worker

$40,257

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

2.5%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

65.7%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	86503	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$57,321	$74,888
Service	$31,382	$26,804
Sales and office	$35,444	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$41,397	$49,199
Production and transportation	$32,665	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

18%

High school

32%

Some college

25%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 81.7%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 16.1%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.1%
Households with broadband: 46.7%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 36.2%
No internet access: 49.3%
Without health insurance: 25.1%
Limited-English households: 24.8%

Geography

City (USPS): Chinle
State: Arizona
County: Apache County
Center point: 36.2169° N, 109.6824° W
Land area: 991 sq mi
Water area: 0.4 sq mi
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

86503 spans 2 counties

Apache County95% of land
Navajo County5% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Chinle (unincorporated)2% of zip
Rough Rock (unincorporated)1% of zip

Census places overlapping the zip's area. Mail may use a different city name than the municipality.

Zip codes near 86503

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
86538	Many Farms, AZ	14 mi	1,714	$30,268	$45,600
86520	Blue Gap, AZ	20 mi	2,293	$15,417	$55,800
86540	Nazlini, AZ	23 mi	1,220	$24,271	$30,500
86547	Round Rock, AZ	26 mi	896	$39,000	$56,500
86556	Tsaile, AZ	26 mi	2,795	$27,875	$31,800
86507	Lukachukai, AZ	26 mi	2,207	$35,924	$50,000
86510	Pinon, AZ	33 mi	4,074	$29,211	$80,600
86545	Rock Point, AZ	36 mi	780	$26,071	$47,100
86511	Saint Michaels, AZ	37 mi	3,583	$41,000	$45,300
86544	Red Valley, AZ	38 mi	1,472	$23,068	$47,000
87328	Navajo, NM	39 mi	3,043	$33,906	$65,000
86504	Fort Defiance, AZ	39 mi	5,760	$46,573	$45,000

Zip codes like 86503 elsewhere

Matched on income, home values, age, density, education, housing and commuting

Questions about 86503

What city is zip code 86503?

86503 is assigned to Chinle, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 86503 in?

86503 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 86503?

About 9,911 people live in 86503, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 86503 in?

86503 is in Mountain Time.

What is the median household income in 86503?

The median household income in 86503 is $36,321.

What zip codes are near 86503?

The closest zip codes to 86503 are 86538, 86520, 86540, 86547, 86556.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 86503, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.