Zip code 86520: Blue Gap, Arizona

Q: What city is zip code 86520?

86520 is assigned to Blue Gap, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

Q: What county is 86520 in?

86520 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

Q: What is the population of 86520?

About 2,293 people live in 86520, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

Q: What is the median household income in 86520?

The median household income in 86520 is $15,417.

Q: What zip codes are near 86520?

The closest zip codes to 86520 are 86503, 86510, 86034, 86042, 86540.

Residential delivery areaApache CountyMountain Time

Population

2,293

Median household income

$15K

U.S. $81K

Median home value

$56K

U.S. $333K

Median rent

$716/mo

U.S. $1,413

Median age

U.S. 38.9

Land area

285 sq mi

8 people/sq mi

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

About 86520

86520 is a rural zip code in Blue Gap, Arizona (Apache County), covering 285 sq mi of land. About 2,293 people live here, or 8 per square mile. The median resident is 33 years old, compared with 38.9 nationally.

The median household earns $15,417 a year, about 19% of the national median of $80,734. 53.6% of residents live below the poverty line (U.S.: 12.5%). A typical home is valued at $55,800, or 3.6 years of median household income (U.S.: 4.1 years), which makes homes about as affordable as the national average for local earners. 88% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners, and renters pay a median of $716 a month.

6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher (U.S.: 36%). Commuters average 35.8 minutes each way, and 16% of workers work from home. The most common jobs among working residents are in transportation and moving goods; construction and repair; and healthcare. 95% of households speak a language other than English at home, most often another language, such as Arabic or a Native American language.

How 86520 compares

Sorted from highest to lowest national percentile

Poverty rate53.6%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 12.5% · AZ 12.5%9th of 392 in AZ
Unemployment rate36.4%
99th
WeaknessU.S. 5.2% · AZ 5.1%3rd of 393 in AZ
Government workers43.4%
99th
U.S. 14.5% · AZ 13.9%41st of 393 in AZ
Income inequality (Gini)0.615
99th
WeaknessU.S. 0.483 · AZ 0.4642nd of 388 in AZ
Housing vacancy21.7%
95th
U.S. 10.1% · AZ 10.5%97th of 390 in AZ
Homeownership rate87.6%
93rd
StrengthU.S. 65.2% · AZ 67.4%85th of 390 in AZ
Average commute35.8 min
93rd
WeaknessU.S. 26.4 min · AZ 25.4 min44th of 373 in AZ
Uninsured rate16.5%
91st
WeaknessU.S. 8.4% · AZ 10.5%83rd of 392 in AZ
Residents under 1826.3%
83rd
U.S. 22% · AZ 21.6%96th of 394 in AZ
Work from home16%
65th
U.S. 15.1% · AZ 18.4%153rd of 393 in AZ
Healthcare workers10%
58th
U.S. 9.7% · AZ 9.3%133rd of 393 in AZ
Residents 65 and older16.4%
49th
U.S. 17.2% · AZ 18.9%227th of 394 in AZ
Tech workers1.5%
23rd
U.S. 3.8% · AZ 3.7%230th of 393 in AZ
Veterans3.3%
18th
U.S. 6.2% · AZ 7.9%346th of 394 in AZ
Median age33
11th
U.S. 38.9 · AZ 39320th of 394 in AZ
Self-employed workers5.9%
9th
U.S. 10% · AZ 9.9%301st of 393 in AZ
Population2,293
4th
U.S. 334,922,499 · AZ 7,378,838280th of 394 in AZ
Median earnings per worker$31,071
4th
WeaknessU.S. $49,666 · AZ $48,427351st of 387 in AZ
Median gross rent$716
3rd
U.S. $1,413 · AZ $1,543287th of 327 in AZ
Population density8/sq mi
1st
U.S. 95/sq mi · AZ 65/sq mi295th of 394 in AZ
Median household income$15,417
1st
WeaknessU.S. $80,734 · AZ $79,964374th of 374 in AZ
Per capita income$11,696
1st
WeaknessU.S. $44,673 · AZ $42,503384th of 394 in AZ
Median home value$55,800
1st
U.S. $332,700 · AZ $394,500343rd of 366 in AZ
Bachelor's degree or higher5.8%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 35.7% · AZ 33.3%358th of 394 in AZ
Diversity index4.4
1st
U.S. 61.4 · AZ 61.9377th of 394 in AZ
Broadband access40.5%
1st
WeaknessU.S. 91% · AZ 91.5%379th of 390 in AZ
Foreign-born residents0%
1st
U.S. 14.1% · AZ 13%390th of 394 in AZ
Rent-burdened renters16.9%
1st
StrengthU.S. 51.1% · AZ 51.4%324th of 372 in AZ

Measure	86520	Apache	AZ	U.S.	National percentile	Rank in AZ
Poverty rateWeakness	53.6%	30.5%	12.5%	12.5%	99th	9th of 392
Unemployment rateWeakness	36.4%	10.7%	5.1%	5.2%	99th	3rd of 393
Government workers	43.4%	48.2%	13.9%	14.5%	99th	41st of 393
Income inequality (Gini)Weakness	0.615	0.518	0.464	0.483	99th	2nd of 388
Housing vacancy	21.7%	27.2%	10.5%	10.1%	95th	97th of 390
Homeownership rateStrength	87.6%	79.4%	67.4%	65.2%	93rd	85th of 390
Average commuteWeakness	35.8 min	28.1 min	25.4 min	26.4 min	93rd	44th of 373
Uninsured rateWeakness	16.5%	18.2%	10.5%	8.4%	91st	83rd of 392
Residents under 18	26.3%	26%	21.6%	22%	83rd	96th of 394
Work from home	16%	9.1%	18.4%	15.1%	65th	153rd of 393
Healthcare workers	10%	13.6%	9.3%	9.7%	58th	133rd of 393
Residents 65 and older	16.4%	16.8%	18.9%	17.2%	49th	227th of 394
Tech workers	1.5%	1.8%	3.7%	3.8%	23rd	230th of 393
Veterans	3.3%	5%	7.9%	6.2%	18th	346th of 394
Median age	33	36.6	39	38.9	11th	320th of 394
Self-employed workers	5.9%	5.1%	9.9%	10%	9th	301st of 393
Population	2,293	65,341	7,378,838	334,922,499	4th	280th of 394
Median earnings per workerWeakness	$31,071	$39,361	$48,427	$49,666	4th	351st of 387
Median gross rent	$716	$647	$1,543	$1,413	3rd	287th of 327
Population density	8/sq mi	6/sq mi	65/sq mi	95/sq mi	1st	295th of 394
Median household incomeWeakness	$15,417	$41,438	$79,964	$80,734	1st	374th of 374
Per capita incomeWeakness	$11,696	$20,885	$42,503	$44,673	1st	384th of 394
Median home value	$55,800	$63,700	$394,500	$332,700	1st	343rd of 366
Bachelor's degree or higherWeakness	5.8%	16.6%	33.3%	35.7%	1st	358th of 394
Diversity index	4.4	45.6	61.9	61.4	1st	377th of 394
Broadband accessWeakness	40.5%	60%	91.5%	91%	1st	379th of 390
Foreign-born residents	0%	1.6%	13%	14.1%	1st	390th of 394
Rent-burdened rentersStrength	16.9%	24.1%	51.4%	51.1%	1st	324th of 372

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

22%

5–17

18–24

19%

25–34

35–44

10%

45–54

13%

55–64

10%

65–74

75+

Median age

Under 18

26.3%

65 and over

16.4%

Race and ethnicity

White0%
Black0.3%
Hispanic1%
Asian0%
Native American98%
Pacific Islander0%
Other0%
Multiracial0.7%

Diversity index

4.4

U.S. 61.4

Foreign-born

U.S. 14.1%

Born in state

92.6%

Language spoken at home (households)

English only

Spanish

Other Indo-European

Asian / Pacific

Other

95%

Households

Households: 844
Average household size: 2.7
Family households: 59.5%
Married couples: 25.7%
Living alone: 38%
Veterans (of adults): 3.3%
Male / female: 47% / 53%

Income and poverty

Household income distribution

<$25k

60%

$25–50k

23%

$50–75k

$75–100k

$100–150k

$150–200k

$200k+

0.4%

Median household income

86520

$15,417

Apache Co.

$41,438

Arizona

$79,964

United States

$80,734

Per capita income

$11,696

U.S. $44,673

Poverty rate

53.6%

U.S. 12.5%

Households earning $150K+

2.6%

U.S. 23%

Income inequality (Gini)

0.615

U.S. 0.483

Housing

Median home value

86520

$55,800

Apache Co.

$63,700

Arizona

$394,500

United States

$332,700

Median gross rent

86520

$716

Apache Co.

$647

Arizona

$1,543

United States

$1,413

Types of housing

Single-family

89%

2–4 units

5–19 units

20+ units

Mobile home

10%

Boat, RV, van

Housing units: 1,078
Owner-occupied: 87.6%
Vacant: 21.7%
Median year built: 1992
Median rooms: 3.8
Renters paying 30%+ of income: 16.9%
Renters paying 50%+ of income: 0%
Home value to income: 3.6× (U.S. 4.1×)

Work and commute

How people get to work

Drove alone

78%

Carpooled

Transit

Walked

Bicycle

Worked from home

16%

Other

Commute time (one way)

<10 min

24%

10–19

20–29

30–44

46%

45–59

60+

21%

Average commute

35.8 min

U.S. 26.4 min

Unemployment

36.4%

U.S. 5.2%

In labor force

36.7%

U.S. 63.5%

Jobs and careers

What employed residents do, wherever they work

Occupations

Transportation and moving

19%

Construction and repair

19%

Healthcare

10%

Cleaning and personal care

10%

Food service

Sales

Management

Arts, media and sports

Education

Office and admin

Computer and math

Legal and social services

Police and fire

Farming, fishing and forestry

Business and finance

Engineering and science

Production

Industries

Health care and social assistance

19%

Education

19%

Construction

14%

Transportation, warehousing and utilities

13%

Public administration

12%

Arts and recreation

11%

Retail

Agriculture and mining

Restaurants and hotels

Admin, support and management

0.7%

Manufacturing

Professional and technical services

Finance, insurance and real estate

Other services

Wholesale

Information

Median earnings per worker

$31,071

U.S. $49,666

Self-employed

5.9%

U.S. 10%

Government workers

43.4%

U.S. 14.5%

Nonprofit workers

3.2%

U.S. 8.8%

Median earnings by type of work

Type of work	86520	U.S.
Management, business, science and arts	$33,125	$74,888
Service	$28,828	$26,804
Sales and office	$23,063	$40,476
Construction and maintenance	$46,429	$49,199
Production and transportation	$30,179	$39,989

Education, internet and health coverage

Highest education (adults 25+)

No diploma

32%

High school

33%

Some college

22%

Associate's

Bachelor's

Graduate

High school graduate or higher: 67.9%
Bachelor's degree or higher: 5.8%
Graduate or professional degree: 4.2%
Households with broadband: 40.5%
Cable, fiber or DSL: 11.3%
No internet access: 48.1%
Without health insurance: 16.5%
Limited-English households: 25.5%

Geography

City (USPS): Blue Gap
State: Arizona
County: Apache County
Center point: 36.0443° N, 109.9714° W
Land area: 285 sq mi
Water area: under 0.1 sq mi
Time zone: Mountain Time (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Zip type: Residential delivery area

86520 spans 2 counties

Apache County78% of land
Navajo County22% of land

Cities and towns within this zip

Low Mountain (unincorporated)6% of zip

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

Zip codes near 86520

Search by radius

Zip	City	Distance	Population	IncomeMedian income	Home value
86503	Chinle, AZ	20 mi	9,911	$36,321	$37,800
86510	Pinon, AZ	21 mi	4,074	$29,211	$80,600
86034	Keams Canyon, AZ	21 mi	1,983	$37,286	$77,700
86042	Polacca, AZ	26 mi	2,019	$69,940	$49,000
86540	Nazlini, AZ	30 mi	1,220	$24,271	$30,500
86538	Many Farms, AZ	32 mi	1,714	$30,268	$45,600
86505	Ganado, AZ	33 mi	6,779	$28,547	$36,700
86511	Saint Michaels, AZ	40 mi	3,583	$41,000	$45,300
86556	Tsaile, AZ	44 mi	2,795	$27,875	$31,800
86547	Round Rock, AZ	45 mi	896	$39,000	$56,500
86507	Lukachukai, AZ	47 mi	2,207	$35,924	$50,000
86033	Kayenta, AZ	47 mi	7,392	$40,313	$36,200

Zip codes like 86520 elsewhere

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

Questions about 86520

What city is zip code 86520?

86520 is assigned to Blue Gap, Arizona. The city name is the one the Postal Service prefers for mail addressed to this zip code.

What county is 86520 in?

86520 is mostly in Apache County, but it extends into 1 other county.

What is the population of 86520?

About 2,293 people live in 86520, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey.

What time zone is 86520 in?

86520 is in Mountain Time.

What is the median household income in 86520?

The median household income in 86520 is $15,417.

What zip codes are near 86520?

The closest zip codes to 86520 are 86503, 86510, 86034, 86042, 86540.

Demographic figures are 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates for ZIP Code Tabulation Area 86520, from the U.S. Census Bureau. Small areas have wide margins of error. How we build these numbers.