Zip code 86504: Fort Defiance, Arizona

Q: What city is zip code 86504?

86504 is assigned to Fort Defiance, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 86504 in?

86504 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 86504?

About 5,760 people live in 86504, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 86504?

The median household income in 86504 is $46,573.

Q: What zip codes are near 86504?

The closest zip codes to 86504 are 87328, 86515, 86511, 87320, 86540.

Residential delivery areaApache CountyMountain Time

Population

5,760

Median household income

$47K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$45K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$844/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

U.S. 38.9

Land area

202 sq mi

29 people/sq mi

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

About 86504

86504 is a rural zip code in Fort Defiance, Arizona (Apache County), covering 202 sq mi of land. About 5,760 people live here, or 29 per square mile. The median resident is 33 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $46,573 a year, 42% below the national median of $80,734. 25.8% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $45,000, or 1.0 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes relatively affordable for local earners. 67% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $844 a month.

14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 22.3 minutes each way, and 5% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in healthcare; office and administrative support; and transportation and moving goods. 78% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often another language, such as Arabic or a Native American language.

How 86504 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Unemployment rate14.6%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · AZ 5.1%38th of 393 in AZ
Uninsured rate31.4%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · AZ 10.5%19th of 392 in AZ
Government workers53.1%
99th
U.S. 14.5% · AZ 13.9%23rd of 393 in AZ
Healthcare workers17.8%
98th
U.S. 9.7% · AZ 9.3%17th of 393 in AZ
Poverty rate25.8%
93rd
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · AZ 12.5%74th of 392 in AZ
Housing vacancy18.5%
92nd
U.S. 10.1% · AZ 10.5%123rd of 390 in AZ
Income inequality (Gini)0.465
73rd
U.S. 0.483 · AZ 0.464113th of 388 in AZ
Residents under 1824.3%
69th
U.S. 22% · AZ 21.6%127th of 394 in AZ
Homeownership rate67%
46th
U.S. 65.2% · AZ 67.4%260th of 390 in AZ
Residents 65 and older15.5%
42nd
U.S. 17.2% · AZ 18.9%242nd of 394 in AZ
Average commute22.3 min
25th
U.S. 26.4 min · AZ 25.4 min266th of 373 in AZ
Veterans3.9%
25th
U.S. 6.2% · AZ 7.9%325th of 394 in AZ
Diversity index20.8
13th
U.S. 61.4 · AZ 61.9320th of 394 in AZ
Median earnings per worker$36,381
12th
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · AZ $48,427304th of 387 in AZ
Median age33
11th
U.S. 38.9 · AZ 39317th of 394 in AZ
Foreign-born residents1.9%
11th
U.S. 14.1% · AZ 13%313th of 394 in AZ
Population5,760
9th
U.S. 334,922,499 · AZ 7,378,838225th of 394 in AZ
Median gross rent$844
9th
U.S. $1,413 · AZ $1,543267th of 327 in AZ
Bachelor's degree or higher14.4%
8th
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · AZ 33.3%284th of 394 in AZ
Work from home4.9%
7th
U.S. 15.1% · AZ 18.4%330th of 393 in AZ
Median household income$46,573
6th
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · AZ $79,964314th of 374 in AZ
Population density29/sq mi
4th
U.S. 95/sq mi · AZ 65/sq mi250th of 394 in AZ
Rent-burdened renters18.1%
2nd
StrengthU.S. 51.1% · AZ 51.4%322nd of 372 in AZ
Per capita income$18,028
1st
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · AZ $42,503352nd of 394 in AZ
Median home value$45,000
1st
U.S. $332,700 · AZ $394,500358th of 366 in AZ
Broadband access59.6%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 91% · AZ 91.5%350th of 390 in AZ
Tech workers0%
1st
U.S. 3.8% · AZ 3.7%291st of 393 in AZ
Self-employed workers1.3%
1st
U.S. 10% · AZ 9.9%352nd of 393 in AZ

Measure	86504	Apache	AZ	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in AZ
Unemployment rateWeakness	14.6%	10.7%	5.1%	5.2%	99th	38th of 393
Uninsured rateWeakness	31.4%	18.2%	10.5%	8.4%	99th	19th of 392
Government workers	53.1%	48.2%	13.9%	14.5%	99th	23rd of 393
Healthcare workers	17.8%	13.6%	9.3%	9.7%	98th	17th of 393
Poverty rateWeakness	25.8%	30.5%	12.5%	12.5%	93rd	74th of 392
Housing vacancy	18.5%	27.2%	10.5%	10.1%	92nd	123rd of 390
Income inequality (Gini)	0.465	0.518	0.464	0.483	73rd	113th of 388
Residents under 18	24.3%	26%	21.6%	22%	69th	127th of 394
Homeownership rate	67%	79.4%	67.4%	65.2%	46th	260th of 390
Residents 65 and older	15.5%	16.8%	18.9%	17.2%	42nd	242nd of 394
Average commute	22.3 min	28.1 min	25.4 min	26.4 min	25th	266th of 373
Veterans	3.9%	5%	7.9%	6.2%	25th	325th of 394
Diversity index	20.8	45.6	61.9	61.4	13th	320th of 394
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$36,381	$39,361	$48,427	$49,666	12th	304th of 387
Median age	33	36.6	39	38.9	11th	317th of 394
Foreign-born residents	1.9%	1.6%	13%	14.1%	11th	313th of 394
Population	5,760	65,341	7,378,838	334,922,499	9th	225th of 394
Median gross rent	$844	$647	$1,543	$1,413	9th	267th of 327
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	14.4%	16.6%	33.3%	35.7%	8th	284th of 394
Work from home	4.9%	9.1%	18.4%	15.1%	7th	330th of 393
Median household incomeWeakness	$46,573	$41,438	$79,964	$80,734	6th	314th of 374
Population density	29/sq mi	6/sq mi	65/sq mi	95/sq mi	4th	250th of 394
Rent-burdened rentersStrength	18.1%	24.1%	51.4%	51.1%	2nd	322nd of 372
Per capita incomeWeakness	$18,028	$20,885	$42,503	$44,673	1st	352nd of 394
Median home value	$45,000	$63,700	$394,500	$332,700	1st	358th of 366
Broadband accessWeakness	59.6%	60%	91.5%	91%	1st	350th of 390
Tech workers	0%	1.8%	3.7%	3.8%	1st	291st of 393
Self-employed workers	1.3%	5.1%	9.9%	10%	1st	352nd 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

19%

5–17

15%

18–24

12%

25–34

11%

35–44

45–54

12%

55–64

65–74

75+

Median age

Under 18

24.3%

65 and over

15.5%

Race and ethnicity

White2%
Black0.4%
Hispanic3%
Asian1%
Native American89%
Pacific Islander0.0%
Other0%
Multiracial5%

Diversity index

20.8

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

1.9%

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

75.8%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

22%

Spanish

0.6%

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

76%

Households

Households: 1,709
Average household size: 3.4
Family households: 71.8%
Married couples: 25.1%
Living alone: 26.6%
Veterans (of adults): 3.9%
Male / female: 44% / 56%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

29%

$25–50k

24%

$50–75k

20%

$75–100k

11%

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

Median household income

86504

$46,573

Apache Co.

$41,438

Arizona

$79,964

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$18,028

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

25.8%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

6.4%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.465

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

86504

$45,000

Apache Co.

$63,700

Arizona

$394,500

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

86504

$844

Apache Co.

$647

Arizona

$1,543

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

75%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

18%

Boat, RV, van

0.2%

Housing units: 2,096
Owner-occupied: 67%
Vacant: 18.5%
Median year built: 1980
Median rooms: 4.7
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 18.1%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 6.6%
Home value to income: 1.0× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

88%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

16%

10–19

49%

20–29

30–44

12%

45–59

60+

Average commute

22.3 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

14.6%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

45.1%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Healthcare

18%

Office and admin

15%

Transportation and moving

13%

Management

Food service

Construction and repair

Cleaning and personal care

Sales

Education

Police and fire

Legal and social services

Business and finance

Engineering and science

Production

0.9%

Arts, media and sports

0.4%

Computer and math

Farming, fishing and forestry

Industries

Health care and social assistance

29%

Public administration

21%

Restaurants and hotels

10%

Education

Retail

Construction

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

Finance, insurance and real estate

Admin, support and management

Other services

Information

Agriculture and mining

Manufacturing

0.9%

Professional and technical services

0.7%

Arts and recreation

0.4%

Wholesale

0.1%

Median earnings per worker

$36,381

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

1.3%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

53.1%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

2.3%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	86504	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$47,823	$74,888
Service	$24,665	$26,804
Sales and office	$31,713	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$40,846	$49,199
Production and transportation	$35,216	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

13%

High school

35%

Some college

29%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 86.8%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 14.4%
Graduate or professional degree: 5.4%
Households with broadband: 59.6%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 37.7%
No internet access: 36.6%
Without health insurance: 31.4%
Limited-English households: 3.7%

Geography

City (USPS): Fort Defiance
State: Arizona
County: Apache County
Center point: 35.8604° N, 109.1394° W
Land area: 202 sq mi
Water area: 0.2 sq mi
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

86504 spans 2 counties

Apache County99% of land
McKinley County1% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Fort Defiance (unincorporated)3% of zip
Sawmill (unincorporated)3% of zip

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

Zip codes near 86504

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
87328	Navajo, NM	13 mi	3,043	$33,906	$65,000
86515	Window Rock, AZ	14 mi	3,433	$47,336	$57,100
86511	Saint Michaels, AZ	15 mi	3,583	$41,000	$45,300
87320	Mexican Springs, NM	15 mi	597	$43,125	$61,100
86540	Nazlini, AZ	18 mi	1,220	$24,271	$30,500
87375	Yatahey, NM	24 mi	4,481	$40,735	$36,600
86556	Tsaile, AZ	26 mi	2,795	$27,875	$31,800
87319	Mentmore, NM	29 mi	2,496	$41,452	$28,000
87317	Gamerco, NM	29 mi	1,753	$53,589	$98,700
87364	Sheep Springs, NM	30 mi	1,632	$32,500	$81,700
87301	Gallup, NM	32 mi	21,755	$58,772	$168,500
87310	Brimhall, NM	32 mi	977	$39,896	$67,600

Zip codes like 86504 elsewhere

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

Questions about 86504

What city is zip code 86504?

86504 is assigned to Fort Defiance, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 86504 in?

86504 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 86504?

About 5,760 people live in 86504, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 86504 in?

86504 is in Mountain Time.

What is the median household income in 86504?

The median household income in 86504 is $46,573.

What zip codes are near 86504?

The closest zip codes to 86504 are 87328, 86515, 86511, 87320, 86540.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 86504, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.