| City: | Melstone, Montana |
| County: | Musselshell County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 6:57:33 AM |
| Population: | 318 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 406 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 46.5756, -107.9368 |
| Land Area: | 479.872 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Melstone is a small ranching community in central Montana's Musselshell County, where 318 people live across 229 square miles of rolling prairie. The town sits along Highway 12 East, surrounded by ranch roads named for local geography (Musselshell River Rd, Alkali Creek Rd) and longtime families (Harvey Rd, Adams Rd). With a median age of 47.1 years and just 10 children under 18, it's an aging rural town where 76% of residents own their homes.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no street delivery anywhere in the territory. The Melstone post office maintains 147 PO Boxes for 116 households, a 127% adoption rate that accounts for ranches, businesses, and families who keep multiple boxes. Two rural carrier routes serve outlying areas, but all mail goes through the post office.
The economy runs on transportation, agriculture, and government work. Of the 103 workers tracked by the Census, 42% work in transportation (43 workers) or agriculture (43 workers). Another 30% work in public administration, likely county government or school district jobs. One in five workers (19.5%) works from home. Eight local businesses employ 14 people total.
Melstone's numbered street grid (1st St W, 2nd St W) occupies just a few blocks. Beyond town, the address system shifts to rural roads stretching miles between ranches: Queens Point Rd, Mosby Rd, Poole Rd. Median household income sits at $52,708, and median home value is $184,400. Of the 150 total housing units, 34 stand vacant (23%), including 12 used seasonally.
All mail must be addressed to a PO Box. Street addresses are not valid for delivery in this ZIP code.
A small numbered grid in town (1st-6th Streets and Avenues) transitions to rural roads named for local geography and families, typical of Montana ranch country.
ZIP Code 59054 has 318 residents and 116 households (average 2.72 persons per household). The median age is 47.1 years, older than the state (40.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 54.1% male and 45.9% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (92.8%, much higher than the state average of 84.5% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (3.1%, lower than the state average of 6.2%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.8%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 318Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 227Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $54,250Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 116Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $218,400Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.72Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.59Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 358 | 280 | 280 | 214 | 274 | 250 | 276 | 250 | 268 | 253 | 293 | 236 | 236 | 227 |
| Decennial Census | 315 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 318 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 47.1
Male Median Age: 47.3
Female Median Age: 46
| 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 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 8 |
| Female | 7 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 16 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Total | 17 | 22 | 17 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 24 | 19 | 18 | 20 | 28 | 28 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 13 |
| White: | 295 | 93.06% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.63% |
| Hispanic:* | 9 | 2.84% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.32% |
| American Indian: | 10 | 3.15% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 317 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 172 | 54.09% | 47.3 years |
| Females: | 146 | 45.91% | 46.0 years |
| Total: | 318 | 100% | 47.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 226 | 99.56% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 1 | 0.44% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 227 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 227 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $54,250, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is up $25,222 (86.9%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $23,673. Family households earn a median of $59,750 versus $26,250 for nonfamily households (a difference of $33,500). By gender, male median income is $38,125 and female is $39,375, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $1,250 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 68.2%, which is above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 1.5%, which is far lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (52.7%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $29,028 | $37,917 | $45,000 | $40,156 | $31,786 | $25,000 | $31,750 | $31,932 | $30,577 | $32,188 | $35,104 | $50,375 | $52,708 | $54,250 |
| Median Family Income | $41,042 | $48,000 | $56,250 | $60,500 | $58,125 | $41,875 | $58,125 | $43,125 | $39,375 | $39,107 | $51,667 | $55,000 | $57,188 | $59,750 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $15,500 | $12,417 | $19,167 | $18,281 | $20,536 | $20,521 | $20,556 | $14,688 | $21,000 | $21,250 | $21,250 | $24,219 | $25,469 | $26,250 |
| Median Male Income | $26,389 | $25,938 | $63,125 | $57,500 | $0 | $64,375 | $41,250 | $33,750 | $50,000 | $32,344 | $32,500 | $51,250 | $43,125 | $38,125 |
| Median Female Income | $15,938 | $28,750 | $14,583 | $35,625 | $0 | $21,932 | $30,000 | $21,875 | $22,813 | $31,250 | $28,750 | $28,750 | $36,250 | $39,375 |
| Employed: | 131 | 67.18% |
| Unemployed: | 2 | 1.03% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 62 | 31.79% |
| Total: | 195 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 69 | 52.67% |
| Service: | 11 | 8.40% |
| Sales and Office: | 12 | 9.16% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 35 | 26.72% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 4 | 3.05% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 131 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $218,400, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is up $161,900 (286.55%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $65,500. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $488 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $619. Of occupied housing, owners make up 90.20% (38.04% with a mortgage, 61.96% free-and-clear) and renters 9.80% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 27.66%, which is far higher than the national rate (10.12%).
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 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $56,500 | $71,600 | $75,900 | $76,500 | $77,900 | $117,600 | $150,500 | $123,200 | $152,900 | $157,900 | $159,800 | $177,500 | $184,400 | $218,400 |
| Less than $500: | 4 | 40.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 2 | 20.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 4 | 40.00% |
| Total: | 10 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $488 | $350 | $0 | $0 | $384 | $391 | $531 | $563 | $619 | $622 | $675 | $0 | $738 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 35 | 34.31% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 57 | 55.88% |
| Renter Occupied: | 10 | 9.80% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 102 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 102 | 72.34% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 39 | 27.66% |
| Total Housing Units: | 141 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 119 | 84.40% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 22 | 15.60% |
| Total Housing Units: | 141 | 100% |
In 2024, 18.70% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 95.10%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 2.20%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 5.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 27.20 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 7.80 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is kindergarten (33.33%). College enrollment is 9.52%, 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: | 3 | 1.65% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 6 | 3.30% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 71 | 39.01% |
| Some college, no degree: | 44 | 24.18% |
| Associate's degree: | 24 | 13.19% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 24 | 13.19% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 10 | 5.49% |
| Total: | 182 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 173 | 95.05% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 34 | 18.68% |
| Private Insurance: | 168 | 65.63% |
| Public Insurance: | 83 | 32.42% |
| No Insurance: | 5 | 1.95% |
| Total: | 256 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 251 | 98.05% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 29.9% | 16.7% | 8.6% | 5.2% | 9.0% | 13.8% | 8.9% | 9.1% | 10.5% | 9.1% | 2.3% | 2.6% | 2.7% | 5.3% |
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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 14 | 33.33% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 14 | 33.33% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 10 | 23.81% |
| College or graduate school: | 4 | 9.52% |
| Total: | 42 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 14 | 33.33% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 38 | 90.48% |
ZIP Code 59054 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 13 people with an annual payroll of $522,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 171Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $116,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $522,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 13Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 59054 is located in Musselshell 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 59054. It covers 479.872 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.288 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: | 479.872 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.288 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: | 3049000Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Melstone town; MontanaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 59054 is part of 2 school districts, including: Melstone Elementary School District (Grades PK thru 08) and Melstone High School District (Grades 9th thru 12th). 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.