| City: | Colstrip, Montana |
| County: | Rosebud County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 6:58:42 AM |
| Population: | 2,129 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 406 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 45.9221, -106.6851 |
| Land Area: | 53.351 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Colstrip is a small Montana town of 2,129 residents in Rosebud County, where mail service combines rural carrier delivery with a busy post office serving 871 PO Boxes. With 838 households but 1.04 PO Boxes per household, the post office serves not just local residents but also surrounding areas without carrier delivery.
This isn't a typical small town. Employment numbers tell the story: 1,011 jobs at 54 business establishments means more jobs than half the population. Transportation, warehousing, and utilities dominate the economy with 772 workers (38% of the workforce), while public administration employs another 251 people. The median household income of $86,000 is well above Montana's average, reflecting industrial employment.
Mail arrives via two rural carrier routes covering 52 square miles. Street names mix nature themes (Larkspur Dr, Ash St, Cherry St, Willow Ave, Cottonwood Dr) with Western town names (Cheyenne Dr, Durango St, Laramie Cir) and references to Montana geography (Pinebutte Dr, Castle Rock Lake Dr, Bozeman Ct). Power Dr and Power Rd hint at the town's economic foundation.
The population is 77% White, with 12% identifying as American Indian and 9% as two or more races. Median age is 38.3 years. Of 978 total housing units, 635 are owner-occupied and 203 are renter-occupied, with a median home value of $193,700. The town doesn't have city carrier delivery, despite its population size, maintaining its rural character through PO Box and rural route service.
Street names blend nature themes with Western town names and Montana geographic references, while Power Dr and Power Rd hint at the industrial character.
ZIP Code 59323 has 2,129 residents and 838 households (average 2.54 persons per household). The median age is 38.3 years, slightly younger than the state (40.5) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.9% male and 48.1% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (76.6%, much lower than the state average of 84.5% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and American Indian & Alaska Native (12.2%, much higher than the national average of 1.1%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 5.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than the national average (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 2,129Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 2,101Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 39.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $82,500Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 838Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $194,900Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.54Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.73Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 2,407 | 2,512 | 2,413 | 2,315 | 2,375 | 2,376 | 2,336 | 2,520 | 2,510 | 2,375 | 2,094 | 2,327 | 2,156 | 2,101 |
| Decennial Census | 2,294 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,129 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 38.3
Male Median Age: 37.9
Female Median Age: 38.9
| 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 | 76 | 103 | 89 | 59 | 54 | 61 | 62 | 75 | 69 | 88 | 66 | 76 | 97 | 70 | 38 | 9 | 7 | 5 |
| Female | 63 | 92 | 82 | 68 | 31 | 63 | 71 | 59 | 80 | 62 | 55 | 81 | 101 | 58 | 32 | 9 | 7 | 11 |
| Total | 139 | 195 | 171 | 127 | 85 | 124 | 133 | 134 | 149 | 150 | 121 | 157 | 198 | 128 | 70 | 18 | 14 | 16 |
| White: | 1,631 | 79.87% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.10% |
| Hispanic:* | 106 | 5.19% |
| Asian: | 19 | 0.93% |
| American Indian: | 259 | 12.68% |
| Hawaiian: | 1 | 0.05% |
| Other: | 24 | 1.18% |
| Total: | 2,042 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,104 | 51.86% | 37.9 years |
| Females: | 1,025 | 48.14% | 38.9 years |
| Total: | 2,129 | 100% | 38.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,089 | 99.43% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 11 | 0.52% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 1 | 0.57% |
| Total Population: | 2,101 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 2,089 | 99.43% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 12 | 0.57% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $82,500, which is a touch higher than the national median ($80,734), is up $6,467 (8.5%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $2,656. Family households earn a median of $120,313 versus $30,035 for nonfamily households (a difference of $90,278). By gender, male median income is $102,431 and female is $47,346, which is far less than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $55,085 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 68.6%, which is higher than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 8.2%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (32.4%).
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 | $76,033 | $81,750 | $76,000 | $80,526 | $82,143 | $87,688 | $85,833 | $85,556 | $85,156 | $88,636 | $81,424 | $87,321 | $86,000 | $82,500 |
| Median Family Income | $80,513 | $83,690 | $83,214 | $87,109 | $87,434 | $96,154 | $95,268 | $91,684 | $93,417 | $97,188 | $98,043 | $110,110 | $109,583 | $120,313 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $61,776 | $67,604 | $67,900 | $70,625 | $71,083 | $70,338 | $55,917 | $60,050 | $61,509 | $60,726 | $63,603 | $53,571 | $56,495 | $30,035 |
| Median Male Income | $70,639 | $73,359 | $70,500 | $72,372 | $0 | $70,489 | $68,214 | $60,789 | $71,548 | $73,125 | $80,972 | $86,228 | $92,438 | $102,431 |
| Median Female Income | $30,817 | $41,364 | $44,457 | $49,063 | $0 | $34,375 | $37,222 | $32,875 | $34,063 | $30,250 | $33,906 | $43,750 | $55,380 | $47,346 |
| Employed: | 1,000 | 62.97% |
| Unemployed: | 89 | 5.60% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 499 | 31.42% |
| Total: | 1,588 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 324 | 32.40% |
| Service: | 179 | 17.90% |
| Sales and Office: | 155 | 15.50% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 234 | 23.40% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 108 | 10.80% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 1,000 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $194,900, which is well under the national median ($332,700), is up $71,300 (57.69%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $76,200. The median gross rent is $659, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is up $32 (5.10%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $151. Of occupied housing, owners make up 82.79% (40.21% with a mortgage, 59.79% free-and-clear) and renters 17.21% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 14.68%, which is considerably 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 | $123,600 | $130,000 | $146,600 | $142,400 | $135,500 | $118,800 | $129,100 | $117,400 | $118,700 | $115,200 | $123,700 | $147,500 | $193,700 | $194,900 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 126 | 91.30% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 7 | 5.07% |
| $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: | 5 | 3.62% |
| Total: | 138 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $627 | $614 | $601 | $618 | $676 | $685 | $818 | $883 | $810 | $791 | $848 | $638 | $632 | $659 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 267 | 33.29% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 397 | 49.50% |
| Renter Occupied: | 138 | 17.21% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 802 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 802 | 85.32% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 138 | 14.68% |
| Total Housing Units: | 940 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 463 | 49.26% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 161 | 17.13% |
| Other Units: | 316 | 33.62% |
| Total Housing Units: | 940 | 100% |
In 2024, 25.90% 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 95.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 7.20%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 8.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 4.00 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 5.60 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 (66.93%). College enrollment is 7.33%, 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: | 39 | 2.74% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 27 | 1.89% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 422 | 29.61% |
| Some college, no degree: | 324 | 22.74% |
| Associate's degree: | 244 | 17.12% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 275 | 19.30% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 94 | 6.60% |
| Total: | 1,425 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 1,359 | 95.37% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 369 | 25.89% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,527 | 66.62% |
| Public Insurance: | 615 | 26.83% |
| No Insurance: | 150 | 6.54% |
| Total: | 2,292 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 2,142 | 93.46% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.0% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 5.8% | 6.7% | 3.5% | 4.9% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 3.5% | 3.8% | 4.4% | 9.0% | 8.7% |
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: | 25 | 4.95% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 338 | 66.93% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 105 | 20.79% |
| College or graduate school: | 37 | 7.33% |
| Total: | 505 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 25 | 4.95% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 443 | 87.72% |
ZIP Code 59323 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 56 business establishments, employing about 974 people with an annual payroll of $82,121,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 945Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 56Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $19,814,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $82,121,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 974Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 59323 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 59323. It covers 53.351 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.286 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: | 53.351 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.286 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: | 3016525Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Colstrip city; MontanaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 59323 is part of 2 school districts, including: Colstrip Elementary School District (Grades PK thru 08) and Colstrip 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.