| City: | West Glacier, Montana |
| Names to Avoid: | Apgar |
| County: | Flathead County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 7:01:50 AM |
| Population: | 392 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 406 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 48.4742, -113.7757 |
| Land Area: | 1480.076 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
West Glacier sits at the western entrance to Glacier National Park, serving both a small permanent population and the seasonal communities inside the park boundaries. The post office maintains 397 PO Boxes for just 181 year-round households, a 2.19 adoption rate that signals its role as a regional service point. Park employees, seasonal workers, and businesses across the 100-square-mile territory depend on this location for mail access.
The permanent population is remarkably small: just 392 residents with a median age of 56. That's much older than Montana's state median. Nearly half of all housing units (43%) sit vacant seasonally, occupied during summer months when Glacier National Park sees millions of visitors. During winter, the community shrinks dramatically as lodges close and park roads shut down.
Street names tell the story of place. Going to the Sun Road is the famous scenic highway that crosses the Continental Divide through the park. Lake McDonald Road serves the largest lake on the west side. Apgar, recognized as an alternate name but not valid for mailing, refers to the village area at the foot of Lake McDonald where many park facilities cluster.
Mail delivery follows a rural route pattern with limited street delivery. Most addresses receive mail through PO Boxes rather than roadside delivery. With 35 business establishments employing 111 people, this isn't a traditional town. It's a service community built around park access, where the post office functions as an essential hub for scattered residences, lodges, and National Park Service operations across a vast mountain territory.
Streets named for Glacier National Park's most famous features: the Going to the Sun Road, Lake McDonald, and the Apgar village area.
ZIP Code 59936 has 392 residents and 181 households (average 2.16 persons per household). The median age is 56.0 years, significantly older than the state (40.5) and significantly older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.0% male and 51.0% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (50.2%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (90.6%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (3.3%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 3.3%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 392Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 690Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 0.3 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $85,455Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 181Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $532,300Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.16Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.85Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 486 | 512 | 519 | 507 | 487 | 426 | 421 | 401 | 431 | 491 | 485 | 514 | 679 | 690 |
| Decennial Census | 367 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 392 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 56
Male Median Age: 54.3
Female Median Age: 57.4
| 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 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 21 | 15 | 7 | 39 | 15 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| Female | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 16 | 14 | 34 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 8 |
| Total | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 10 | 8 | 25 | 34 | 31 | 21 | 73 | 37 | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| White: | 355 | 93.42% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 13 | 3.42% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.26% |
| American Indian: | 4 | 1.05% |
| Hawaiian: | 3 | 0.79% |
| Other: | 4 | 1.05% |
| Total: | 380 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 192 | 48.98% | 54.3 years |
| Females: | 200 | 51.02% | 57.4 years |
| Total: | 392 | 100% | 56.0 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 656 | 95.07% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 34 | 4.93% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 4.93% |
| Total Population: | 690 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 656 | 95.07% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 34 | 4.93% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $85,455, which is well above the national median ($80,734), is up $31,169 (57.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $35,177. Family households earn a median of $96,985 versus $74,141 for nonfamily households (a difference of $22,844). By gender, male median income is $40,096 and female is $62,188, which is considerably higher than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $22,092 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 56.5%, which is tends to be lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.7%, which is far lower than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (56.2%).
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 | $54,286 | $54,444 | $55,139 | $51,111 | $50,000 | $47,330 | $48,472 | $49,141 | $50,278 | $63,750 | $54,583 | $74,583 | $87,031 | $85,455 |
| Median Family Income | $66,071 | $67,583 | $70,083 | $69,375 | $68,036 | $63,750 | $49,018 | $48,295 | $48,667 | $61,250 | $62,813 | $83,750 | $120,357 | $96,985 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $53,333 | $52,708 | $42,500 | $42,083 | $45,781 | $43,750 | $47,031 | $52,857 | $53,929 | $66,667 | $41,875 | $68,250 | $73,125 | $74,141 |
| Median Male Income | $46,667 | $48,015 | $43,929 | $41,964 | $0 | $30,893 | $30,179 | $30,481 | $0 | $50,446 | $0 | $0 | $60,313 | $40,096 |
| Median Female Income | $30,156 | $35,104 | $28,929 | $27,857 | $0 | $46,250 | $44,375 | $49,821 | $48,125 | $52,679 | $39,063 | $51,354 | $54,821 | $62,188 |
| Employed: | 329 | 55.02% |
| Unemployed: | 9 | 1.51% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 260 | 43.48% |
| Total: | 598 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 185 | 56.23% |
| Service: | 62 | 18.84% |
| Sales and Office: | 16 | 4.86% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 52 | 15.81% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 14 | 4.26% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 329 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $532,300, which is markedly greater than the national median ($332,700), is up $306,300 (135.53%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $97,700. The median gross rent is $1,055, which is much lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $421 (66.40%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $384. Of occupied housing, owners make up 77.27% (27.45% with a mortgage, 72.55% free-and-clear) and renters 22.73% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 44.54%, 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 | $226,000 | $212,000 | $250,600 | $269,100 | $269,300 | $293,800 | $354,500 | $400,000 | $434,600 | $445,200 | $506,000 | $569,000 | $562,500 | $532,300 |
| Less than $500: | 11 | 18.33% |
| $500 to $999: | 14 | 23.33% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 16 | 26.67% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 2 | 3.33% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 14 | 23.33% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 3 | 5.00% |
| Total: | 60 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $634 | $640 | $767 | $811 | $638 | $819 | $938 | $638 | $671 | $650 | $656 | $763 | $798 | $1,055 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 56 | 21.21% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 148 | 56.06% |
| Renter Occupied: | 60 | 22.73% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 264 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 264 | 55.46% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 212 | 44.54% |
| Total Housing Units: | 476 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 391 | 82.14% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 56 | 11.76% |
| Other Units: | 29 | 6.09% |
| Total Housing Units: | 476 | 100% |
In 2024, 46.30% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.70%). High school or higher is 98.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 1.40%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.40%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 3.90 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.90 percentage points. This suggests a positive shift in the local economic and social landscape - higher incomes, steadier consumer demand, and a strengthening tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (100.00%). College enrollment is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (26.70%), meaning the community mirrors broader higher-education participation.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 5 | 0.97% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 3 | 0.58% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 149 | 28.76% |
| Some college, no degree: | 86 | 16.60% |
| Associate's degree: | 35 | 6.76% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 162 | 31.27% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 78 | 15.06% |
| Total: | 518 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 510 | 98.46% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 240 | 46.33% |
| Private Insurance: | 545 | 66.71% |
| Public Insurance: | 262 | 32.07% |
| No Insurance: | 10 | 1.22% |
| Total: | 817 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 807 | 98.78% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 5.3% | 0.0% | 2.8% | 2.5% | 1.9% | 3.4% | 4.6% | 0.0% | 2.3% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.4% | 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 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 30 | 100.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 30 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 30 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 59936 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 33 business establishments, employing about 89 people with an annual payroll of $8,054,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 454Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 33Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $655,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $8,054,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 89Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 59936 is located in Flathead County, Montana, within the Kalispell, MT Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 28060) and Montana's 1st Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 90,928 people, about 0.43% of whom live in ZIP Code 59936. It covers 1480.076 sq mi of land and a water area of 17.782 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Kalispell, MTSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 28060Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 90,928Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 1480.076 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 17.782 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: | 3079075Source: Census |
| Place Name: | West Glacier CDP; MontanaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 59936 is in the West Glacier Elementary School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 8th. There are 1 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.