| City: | Paradise, Montana |
| County: | Sanders County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:01:18 AM |
| Population: | 238 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 406 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 47.3895, -114.8014 |
| Land Area: | 19.42 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Paradise sits in Sanders County, Montana, along what was once a Northern Pacific Railway corridor. With 238 residents spread across 21.4 square miles of mountainous terrain, this is a quiet community with a median age of 55.3 years. Small household size (1.9 people per home) and high homeownership (81% of occupied units) suggest couples and retirees rather than families with children.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the territory. The Paradise post office maintains 161 PO Boxes for 125 households, an adoption rate of 1.29. That means the post office serves not just local residents but also people from surrounding areas without carrier delivery. Two rural routes provide limited street delivery to 45 addresses, mostly along main roads like Railroad Avenue and Central Avenue.
Street names tell the story of Paradise's evolution. Railroad Avenue, with 7 addresses and apartment units, marks the historic town center. Tie Plant Road references the railroad timber industry that once operated here. Numbered streets (1st, 3rd, 5th) show a small-town grid. Beyond the town center, creek roads like McLaughlin Creek Road, Upper Lamaraux Creek Road, and Lower Lamaraux Creek Road serve scattered homes in the surrounding valleys.
Median home values of $500,000 indicate this isn't an inexpensive place to live, despite its small population and remote location. The community has 7 business establishments employing 163 people, a surprisingly high employment count that suggests commuters or seasonal work patterns. With virtually no children (only 3 residents under 18) and few young adults, Paradise functions as a retirement and second-home community in western Montana's mountains.
All mail should be addressed to:
Recipient Name
PO Box [number]
Paradise, MT 59856Street addresses exist for a limited number of rural route deliveries but aren't available throughout the ZIP code territory.
Street names preserve Paradise's railroad history (Railroad Ave, Tie Plant Rd) alongside a small numbered grid and creek roads serving scattered mountain homes.
ZIP Code 59856 has 238 residents and 125 households (average 1.90 persons per household). The median age is 55.3 years, significantly older than the state (40.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.8% male and 49.2% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (89.5%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (3.8%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.8%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 238Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 130Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 12.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 125Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 1.90Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.96Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 398 | 412 | 385 | 387 | 393 | 365 | 361 | 431 | 449 | 526 | 196 | 226 | 138 | 130 |
| Decennial Census | 347 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 238 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 55.3
Male Median Age: 56.5
Female Median Age: 54.9
| 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 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Female | 4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 7 | 15 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 26 | 9 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 21 | 33 | 25 | 7 | 14 | 3 |
| White: | 213 | 93.83% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 9 | 3.96% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 2 | 0.88% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 1.32% |
| Total: | 227 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 121 | 50.84% | 56.5 years |
| Females: | 117 | 49.16% | 54.9 years |
| Total: | 238 | 100% | 55.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 130 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 130 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 130 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is well under the national median ($80,734), is down $24,250 (100.0%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $34,183. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%).
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 | $24,250 | $31,042 | $32,946 | $34,750 | $33,947 | $34,265 | $34,519 | $35,938 | $34,183 | $34,103 | $38,646 | $43,750 | $47,500 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $41,964 | $38,125 | $36,000 | $37,292 | $36,964 | $46,250 | $44,205 | $38,750 | $36,875 | $34,786 | $38,281 | $43,000 | $47,500 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $14,141 | $16,500 | $19,375 | $26,563 | $19,250 | $18,438 | $18,750 | $0 | $16,923 | $17,083 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $31,250 | $24,167 | $25,536 | $26,250 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $37,813 | $22,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $31,250 | $40,156 | $40,357 | $19,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $19,286 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 130 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 130 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 0 | 0% |
| Service: | 0 | 0% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 0 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is much lower than the national median ($332,700), is down $112,000 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $140,600. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $428 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $679. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
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 | $112,000 | $153,800 | $139,300 | $126,600 | $122,500 | $146,600 | $123,600 | $133,000 | $140,600 | $193,800 | $0 | $438,600 | $500,000 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $428 | $492 | $511 | $538 | $532 | $525 | $675 | $447 | $679 | $1,012 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 46 | 100.00% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 46 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 46 | 100.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 46 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 46 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 46 | 100% |
In 2024, 0.00% 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 72.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 20.80%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). Public coverage is 100.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), up 8.40 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 10.60 percentage points. This signals a sharp increase in hardship - a shrinking consumer base, heavy pressure on public services, and job-market contraction risks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 36 | 27.69% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 67 | 51.54% |
| Some college, no degree: | 27 | 20.77% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 130 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 94 | 72.31% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 27 | 17.20% |
| Public Insurance: | 130 | 82.80% |
| No Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 157 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 157 | 100.00% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 10.1% | 9.3% | 9.2% | 7.1% | 11.0% | 1.3% | 4.8% | 9.9% | 7.9% | 12.0% | 22.8% | 18.8% | 18.5% | 0.0% |
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% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 59856 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 7 business establishments, employing about 155 people with an annual payroll of $5,838,000.
| # 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: | 7Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,416,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $5,838,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 155Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 59856 is located in Sanders County, Montana, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Montana's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 59856. It covers 19.42 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.677 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: | 19.42 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.677 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 0 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3056425Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Paradise CDP; MontanaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 59856 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. 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 March 1, 2026.