ZIP Code 86042 in Polacca, AZ

Community Overview

Polacca serves the Hopi villages of First Mesa in northern Arizona. This ZIP covers 185 square miles of Navajo County, where 98% of the 1,493 residents are Native American (1,459 people). The post office serves the historic mesa-top pueblos of Walpi, Sichomovi, and Hano, though these village names aren't valid for mailing addresses.

Geographic Context and Why PO Boxes Are Essential

This is a PO Box Only Zone. No alternative mail delivery exists across the 185 square mile territory. The Polacca post office maintains 431 PO Boxes for 470 households, giving an adoption rate of 92%. Residents from the mesa-top villages and surrounding areas collect their mail in Polacca, the central access point at the base of First Mesa.

The lack of street addressing infrastructure shows the geographic challenge. ZIP+4 data lists just one street: State Route 264, the main highway corridor. Highway contract delivery (H route) serves this corridor, while PO Boxes handle everything else. General Delivery is also available, common in remote communities.

Population and Demographics

Household size averages 3.18 people, typical of extended family structures in Hopi communities. Median age is 38.6 years. About 70% of homes are owner-occupied (330 of 470 occupied units). The community maintains 637 total housing units, with 128 held for seasonal or occasional use.

Economic Context

The economy centers on public administration, with 524 workers in this sector. This includes tribal government, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Indian Health Service. Federal government employs 58 workers directly. Transportation and warehousing employ 228 people. Median household income is $64,107, above many rural tribal communities. Per capita income is $21,380.

Educational services and health care employ 524 workers, the same count as public administration, suggesting overlap in tribal government health and education roles. About 27% of workers work from home (97 of 366 workers). Bachelor's degree attainment is 9.9% among adults 25 and over, lower than the national average but typical for reservation communities.

Housing Characteristics

Median home value is $61,000. Median gross rent is $1,088 for the 140 renter-occupied units. The community includes 61 mobile homes. Notably, 825 housing units were built before 1939, showing the area's deep history and the age of pueblo structures on the mesas above Polacca.

Postal History

The post office has operated since before October 2004, when ZIP tracking began. Given the historic nature of these communities, postal service likely dates back much earlier. Mail addressed to Polacca, AZ 86042 reaches residents across First Mesa, maintaining connection to the outside world for one of America's oldest continuously inhabited communities.

Mailing to Polacca

Correct format:

[Name]
PO Box [Number]
Polacca, AZ 86042

Important: Village names like Walpi, Sichomovi, Hano, and First Mesa are recognized but not valid for mailing. All mail must use Polacca as the city name.

Street Name Patterns

Only State Route 264 appears in ZIP+4 data, the main highway passing through First Mesa territory.