| City: | Kaibeto, Arizona |
| City Alias: | Tonalea |
| County: | Coconino County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:17:42 PM |
| Population: | 2,025 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 928 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.4950, -111.3174 |
| Land Area: | 624.052 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Kaibeto sits on Navajo Nation land in northern Arizona, serving one of the most distinctly Native American communities in the United States. Of the 2,025 residents, 1,986 are Native American. That's 98%. This makes Kaibeto one of the largest Navajo communities with PO Box classification.
The post office territory covers 335 square miles of Coconino County, bridging the region between Lake Powell and the central Navajo Nation. Residents also know this area as Tonalea, a name USPS recognizes as a valid mailing address. The road network includes Navajo routes like N Navajo 16, S Navajo 16, and dozens of numbered Navajo routes, plus roads labeled "TBK" that serve different parts of the community.
The Kaibeto post office maintains 661 PO Boxes for 497 households. That's a 1.33 adoption rate, meaning PO Boxes serve not just immediate residents but surrounding areas as well. While this isn't classified as a PO Box Only Zone (rural carrier delivery does exist here), the high box count shows how many families rely on the post office as a central gathering point. Mail reaches homes through one rural carrier route and one highway contract route across the vast territory.
Households here average 4.07 people, well above the national norm. This pattern is typical on Navajo land, where extended families often live together across multiple generations. Median age is 27.5 years, indicating a relatively young population. Homeownership is strong: 380 of the 497 occupied homes are owner-occupied, a 76% rate.
Economically, the median household income is $42,134. The largest employment sector is transportation, warehousing, and utilities (461 workers), followed by educational services and healthcare (185 workers), and public administration (155 workers, likely tribal government). Educational attainment is low, with only 6.2% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value is $48,500, and median rent is $677.
To mail something to Kaibeto, you can use either "Kaibeto, AZ 86053" or "Tonalea, AZ 86053." Both names are valid. Because of the wide geographic spread and multiple delivery routes, a PO Box address is often the most reliable way to ensure delivery.
The road network consists almost entirely of Navajo routes and TBK roads, showing the tribal infrastructure that serves this community across 335 square miles.
ZIP Code 86053 has 2,025 residents and 497 households (average 4.07 persons per household). The median age is 27.5 years, significantly younger than the state (38.9) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 47.2% male and 52.8% female, which is slightly lower than the state male share (49.5%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (98.1%, much higher than the state average of 4.5% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and Hispanic or Latino (1.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.0%, which is much lower than the state average (30.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (4.5%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 2,025Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 2,204Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 3.2 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $42,134Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 497Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $48,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 4.07Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.27Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 2,611 | 2,611 | 2,530 | 2,388 | 2,311 | 2,403 | 2,441 | 2,287 | 2,547 | 2,865 | 2,498 | 2,286 | 2,204 |
| Decennial Census | 2,311 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,025 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 27.5
Male Median Age: 26.9
Female Median Age: 27.9
| 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 | 77 | 106 | 95 | 121 | 61 | 59 | 45 | 63 | 41 | 44 | 59 | 54 | 52 | 24 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 9 |
| Female | 81 | 119 | 113 | 101 | 72 | 63 | 60 | 49 | 62 | 49 | 54 | 62 | 66 | 34 | 28 | 25 | 20 | 11 |
| Total | 158 | 225 | 208 | 222 | 133 | 122 | 105 | 112 | 103 | 93 | 113 | 116 | 118 | 58 | 43 | 42 | 34 | 20 |
| White: | 7 | 0.35% |
| Black: | 1 | 0.05% |
| Hispanic:* | 21 | 1.04% |
| Asian: | 1 | 0.05% |
| American Indian: | 1,986 | 98.37% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 0.15% |
| Total: | 2,019 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 956 | 47.21% | 26.9 years |
| Females: | 1,069 | 52.79% | 27.9 years |
| Total: | 2,025 | 100% | 27.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 2,204 | 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: | 2,204 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 2,204 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $42,134, which is far less than the national median ($78,538), is up $9,670 (29.8%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $75. Family households earn a median of $49,231 versus $11,016 for nonfamily households (a difference of $38,215). By gender, male median income is $46,087 and female is $34,946, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $11,141 that has widened from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 47.0%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 21.8%, which is markedly higher than the state rate (5.1%). The largest occupation group is Service (33.9%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $32,464 | $30,000 | $28,239 | $28,792 | $28,750 | $33,672 | $41,806 | $42,222 | $42,059 | $51,103 | $47,955 | $42,802 | $42,134 |
| Median Family Income | $39,750 | $33,906 | $30,391 | $29,583 | $29,348 | $35,865 | $44,000 | $48,359 | $47,656 | $55,068 | $53,000 | $46,691 | $49,231 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $9,412 | $9,185 | $9,896 | $9,554 | $10,341 | $10,526 | $9,931 | $9,866 | $11,417 | $11,354 | $12,283 | $12,151 | $11,016 |
| Median Male Income | $23,508 | $27,102 | $46,094 | $40,714 | $36,406 | $38,523 | $40,761 | $34,605 | $41,765 | $41,250 | $42,125 | $45,579 | $46,087 |
| Median Female Income | $26,397 | $24,276 | $24,375 | $24,500 | $23,516 | $23,843 | $23,636 | $26,632 | $26,939 | $26,793 | $31,510 | $33,598 | $34,946 |
| Employed: | 616 | 36.71% |
| Unemployed: | 172 | 10.25% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 890 | 53.04% |
| Total: | 1,678 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 88 | 14.29% |
| Service: | 209 | 33.93% |
| Sales and Office: | 108 | 17.53% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 81 | 13.15% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 130 | 21.10% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 616 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $48,500, which is much lower than the state median ($358,900), is down $10,700 (18.07%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $4,300. The median gross rent is $677, which is well under the state median ($1,431), is up $237 (53.86%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $108. Of occupied housing, owners make up 79.28% (16.03% with a mortgage, 83.97% free-and-clear) and renters 20.72% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 10.40%, which is much lower than the state rate (11.00%).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $59,200 | $57,900 | $57,600 | $57,300 | $57,300 | $53,900 | $53,300 | $53,700 | $52,800 | $50,200 | $49,300 | $49,900 | $48,500 |
| Less than $500: | 28 | 18.67% |
| $500 to $999: | 74 | 49.33% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 13 | 8.67% |
| $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: | 35 | 23.33% |
| Total: | 150 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $440 | $454 | $532 | $535 | $531 | $558 | $540 | $513 | $569 | $594 | $568 | $633 | $677 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 92 | 12.71% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 482 | 66.57% |
| Renter Occupied: | 150 | 20.72% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 724 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 724 | 89.60% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 84 | 10.40% |
| Total Housing Units: | 808 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 600 | 74.26% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 13 | 1.61% |
| Other Units: | 195 | 24.13% |
| Total Housing Units: | 808 | 100% |
In 2023, 6.20% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 72.50%, which is far lower than the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 23.00%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 24.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 57.10%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.30%). The share of people in poverty is 24.60%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), down 3.20 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 3.10 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 (56.48%). College enrollment is 11.99%, 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: | 192 | 14.37% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 176 | 13.17% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 583 | 43.64% |
| Some college, no degree: | 196 | 14.67% |
| Associate's degree: | 106 | 7.93% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 59 | 4.42% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 24 | 1.80% |
| Total: | 1,336 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 968 | 72.46% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 83 | 6.21% |
| Private Insurance: | 542 | 23.49% |
| Public Insurance: | 1,258 | 54.53% |
| No Insurance: | 507 | 21.98% |
| Total: | 2,307 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,800 | 78.02% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 27.8% | 37.2% | 43.3% | 44.2% | 44.9% | 39.3% | 34.8% | 26.3% | 27.7% | 22.2% | 21.0% | 21.0% | 24.6% |
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: | 12 | 2.32% |
| Kindergarten: | 20 | 3.87% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 292 | 56.48% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 131 | 25.34% |
| College or graduate school: | 62 | 11.99% |
| Total: | 517 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 32 | 6.19% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 443 | 85.69% |
ZIP Code 86053 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 652Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 86053 is located in Coconino County, Arizona, within the Flagstaff, AZ Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 22380) and Arizona's 1st and 2nd Congressional Districts. This Metro area has a population of 144,643 people, about 1.40% of whom live in ZIP Code 86053. It covers 624.052 sq mi of land and a water area of 2.955 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Flagstaff, AZSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 22380Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 144,643Source: Census |
| MSA: | Flagstaff, AZ-UT MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 624.052 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 2.955 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01,02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 55039.61, 7838.12 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 86053 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. 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 January 1, 2026.