| City: | Lame Deer, Montana |
| County: | Rosebud County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 9:54:13 PM |
| Population: | 2,874 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 406 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 45.5330, -106.4986 |
| Land Area: | 340.9 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Lame Deer sits at the heart of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. Of 2,874 residents, 93% are Native American (2,684 people), making this one of the most culturally concentrated Cheyenne communities in the country. With an average of 3.87 residents per household, extended family living arrangements are common here.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the 389 square mile territory. The post office maintains 758 PO Boxes for 742 households, meaning virtually every family relies on a box. Rural carrier routes serve the broader reservation, but many addresses still require PO Box delivery. Mail access isn't just convenience here. It's how families receive government documents, tribal benefits, medical prescriptions, and packages.
Street names honor Cheyenne history and culture. The road network includes Ghost Dancer Drive, Dull Knife Drive, Two Moons Road, Sweet Medicine Drive, and Wooden Legs Drive. These aren't generic designations. They're named for historical Cheyenne leaders and cultural figures. Muddy Creek Road (32 delivery points) and Highway 212 (26 points) handle most of the traffic, with Carl Bement Memorial Highway serving as another main route.
Median household income sits at $31,958, well below the national average. Housing values are modest at $114,500 median. Only 9.7% of adults hold bachelor's degrees. Yet 16% of workers work from home, and major employment comes from transportation and warehousing (327 workers), public administration (286 workers, likely tribal government), and educational services (152 workers). The median age of 25.3 indicates a young population.
The Lame Deer post office has served this community since before 2004, the earliest tracking date. It stands as one of the few consistent federal services on the reservation, operating where carrier delivery infrastructure was never built. For the Northern Cheyenne people, this post office isn't just a mail facility. It's a necessary connection to services, commerce, and communication across vast distances.
Use this format:
Recipient Name
PO Box [Number]
Lame Deer, MT 59043Street names honor Northern Cheyenne leaders and cultural figures: Ghost Dancer, Dull Knife, Two Moons, Sweet Medicine, and Wooden Legs reflect the community's deep connection to Cheyenne history.
ZIP Code 59043 has 2,874 residents and 742 households (average 3.87 persons per household). The median age is 25.3 years, significantly younger than the state (40.5) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.6% male and 50.4% female, which is about the same as the state male share (50.2%). Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (93.4%, much higher than the state average of 6.2% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (3.4%, much lower than the state average of 84.5% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.1%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (6.2%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 2,874Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 2,771Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 8.4 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $31,958Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 742Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $114,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.87Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.25Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 3,252 | 3,206 | 3,193 | 2,964 | 2,968 | 2,927 | 3,017 | 2,995 | 2,990 | 3,140 | 3,313 | 3,038 | 2,771 |
| Decennial Census | 2,950 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,874 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 25.3
Male Median Age: 24
Female Median Age: 26.7
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 138 | 155 | 170 | 147 | 114 | 82 | 83 | 88 | 64 | 75 | 53 | 85 | 56 | 55 | 30 | 17 | 9 | 5 |
| Female | 139 | 144 | 183 | 130 | 102 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 72 | 64 | 65 | 75 | 72 | 62 | 46 | 29 | 8 | 10 |
| Total | 277 | 299 | 353 | 277 | 216 | 164 | 165 | 171 | 136 | 139 | 118 | 160 | 128 | 117 | 76 | 46 | 17 | 15 |
| White: | 97 | 3.41% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.04% |
| Hispanic:* | 60 | 2.11% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.04% |
| American Indian: | 2,684 | 94.24% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 5 | 0.18% |
| Total: | 2,848 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,426 | 49.62% | 24.0 years |
| Females: | 1,448 | 50.38% | 26.7 years |
| Total: | 2,874 | 100% | 25.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,762 | 99.68% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 9 | 0.32% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.32% |
| Total Population: | 2,771 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 2,762 | 99.68% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 9 | 0.32% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $31,958, which is far less than the national median ($78,538), is down $4,637 (12.7%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $18,167. Family households earn a median of $36,792 versus $20,100 for nonfamily households (a difference of $16,692). By gender, male median income is $52,308 and female is $35,909, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $16,399 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 49.6%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 22.8%, which is considerably above the state rate (3.7%). The largest occupation group is Service (32.1%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $36,595 | $30,909 | $32,833 | $27,353 | $30,101 | $31,875 | $37,411 | $43,333 | $50,125 | $49,276 | $40,885 | $36,853 | $31,958 |
| Median Family Income | $39,234 | $38,229 | $38,413 | $32,056 | $32,162 | $32,917 | $40,625 | $48,167 | $54,167 | $47,283 | $42,734 | $39,167 | $36,792 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $14,375 | $13,281 | $15,476 | $15,461 | $15,774 | $18,750 | $19,375 | $24,688 | $30,313 | $0 | $18,194 | $20,885 | $20,100 |
| Median Male Income | $38,125 | $38,042 | $38,060 | $39,032 | $38,348 | $37,566 | $36,477 | $40,132 | $41,458 | $42,237 | $43,816 | $47,969 | $52,308 |
| Median Female Income | $31,400 | $30,566 | $33,636 | $35,441 | $33,092 | $31,027 | $32,050 | $30,339 | $30,963 | $30,337 | $34,198 | $35,625 | $35,909 |
| Employed: | 644 | 37.77% |
| Unemployed: | 193 | 11.32% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 868 | 50.91% |
| Total: | 1,705 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 191 | 29.66% |
| Service: | 207 | 32.14% |
| Sales and Office: | 120 | 18.63% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 95 | 14.75% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 31 | 4.81% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 644 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $114,500, which is much lower than the state median ($338,100), is up $58,900 (105.94%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $49,300. The median gross rent is $500, which is far less than the national median ($1,348), is down $54 (9.75%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $98. Of occupied housing, owners make up 55.27% (13.26% with a mortgage, 86.74% free-and-clear) and renters 44.73% - making this ZIP Code less home ownership than the state and higher than national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 22.94%, which is much higher than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $55,600 | $58,000 | $61,600 | $58,600 | $59,800 | $61,000 | $66,800 | $64,900 | $65,200 | $67,900 | $104,100 | $110,700 | $114,500 |
| Less than $500: | 135 | 46.08% |
| $500 to $999: | 97 | 33.11% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 27 | 9.22% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 11 | 3.75% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 23 | 7.85% |
| Total: | 293 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $554 | $557 | $540 | $512 | $501 | $520 | $552 | $569 | $598 | $585 | $545 | $525 | $500 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 48 | 7.33% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 314 | 47.94% |
| Renter Occupied: | 293 | 44.73% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 655 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 655 | 77.06% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 195 | 22.94% |
| Total Housing Units: | 850 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 609 | 71.65% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 114 | 13.41% |
| Other Units: | 127 | 14.94% |
| Total Housing Units: | 850 | 100% |
In 2023, 9.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 82.90%, which is markedly below the state rate (94.60%). The uninsured rate is 27.60%, which is markedly above the state rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 22.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 52.70%, which is well above the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 38.80%, which is markedly above the state rate (7.10%), up 9.20 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 10.20 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (46.49%). College enrollment is 7.31%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 46 | 3.79% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 161 | 13.26% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 410 | 33.77% |
| Some college, no degree: | 297 | 24.46% |
| Associate's degree: | 182 | 14.99% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 78 | 6.43% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 40 | 3.29% |
| Total: | 1,214 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 1,007 | 82.95% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 118 | 9.72% |
| Private Insurance: | 622 | 21.96% |
| Public Insurance: | 1,451 | 51.24% |
| No Insurance: | 759 | 26.80% |
| Total: | 2,832 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 2,073 | 73.20% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 29.6% | 33.2% | 29.9% | 36.6% | 38.1% | 35.8% | 35.4% | 34.8% | 28.6% | 30.5% | 33.1% | 35.8% | 38.8% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 180 | 17.08% |
| Kindergarten: | 35 | 3.32% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 490 | 46.49% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 272 | 25.81% |
| College or graduate school: | 77 | 7.31% |
| Total: | 1,054 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 215 | 20.40% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 797 | 75.62% |
ZIP Code 59043 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 22 business establishments, employing about 251 people with an annual payroll of $10,460,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 838Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 22Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $2,572,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $10,460,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 251Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 59043 is located in Rosebud County, Montana, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Montana's 2nd Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 59043. It covers 340.9 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.018 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Number: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 0Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 340.9 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.018 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 0 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3042250Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Lame Deer CDP; MontanaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 59043 is part of 2 school districts, including: Lame Deer High School District (Grades 09 thru 12) and Lame Deer Elementary School District (Grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 8th). There are 3 public school(s) in this ZIP Code, and we have located 3 private school(s). It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.