| City: | Dennehotso, Arizona |
| City Alias: | Teec Nos Pos |
| County: | Apache County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:20:45 PM |
| Population: | 1,051 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 928 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.7091, -109.8159 |
| Land Area: | 217.112 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Dennehotso sits in the far northeastern corner of Arizona, where the Navajo Nation extends across 357 square miles of high desert terrain. The community is also known as Teec Nos Pos, which refers to the area where Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado meet. Of the 1,051 residents, 99% are Native American, making this one of the most culturally cohesive Navajo communities in Apache County.
The Dennehotso post office maintains 326 PO Boxes for 306 occupied homes. This 1.065 adoption rate means that nearly every household relies on a PO Box, plus the post office serves scattered residences and hogans throughout the territory. Mail delivery happens via Highway Contract Route along State Highway 160, which is the only street listed in the ZIP+4 database. General Delivery is also available for those who don't maintain a box. This isn't classified as a PO Box Only Zone, but street addressing simply doesn't exist across most of the territory.
With 3.43 people per household, Dennehotso has larger family sizes than typical American communities. Extended families often live together, which is common across the Navajo Nation. The median age of 35.4 years indicates a younger population than most of rural Arizona. About 85% of occupied homes are owner-occupied (260 of 306), showing strong ties to the land.
Economic conditions are challenging. Median household income is $22,981, and per capita income is just $11,697. About 159 workers are employed in public administration, mostly tribal government positions. Another 161 work in educational services and healthcare. The combination of low incomes and remote location means the post office plays a critical role in delivering government assistance, medical prescriptions, and essential supplies.
The territory spans from high desert plateaus to canyon country near the Four Corners region. With only one single-family dwelling unit counted in the spatial data versus 327 residential delivery points, it's clear that most homes are traditional hogans or housing not classified in standard census categories. The post office has served this community since before October 2004, when USPS tracking began, making it a long-established hub for mail access.
Mail can be addressed to either DENNEHOTSO or TEEC NOS POS, AZ 86535. Both names are valid for mailing. Given the limited street addressing, a PO Box is recommended for reliable mail delivery.
Only State Highway 160 appears in the ZIP+4 database, serving as the main mail route through this remote Navajo Nation territory.
ZIP Code 86535 has 1,051 residents and 306 households (average 3.43 persons per household). The median age is 35.4 years, younger than the state (38.9) and younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 53.5% male and 46.5% female, which is higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (98.9%, much higher than the state average of 4.5% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (0.4%, much lower than the state average of 60.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.2%, 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: | 1,051Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,116Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 4.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $22,981Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 306Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $44,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.43Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.91Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 1,097 | 1,112 | 1,149 | 1,105 | 1,127 | 1,174 | 1,260 | 1,298 | 1,391 | 1,459 | 1,428 | 1,250 | 1,116 |
| Decennial Census | 1,199 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,051 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 35.4
Male Median Age: 33.4
Female Median Age: 37.8
| 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 | 32 | 46 | 45 | 63 | 37 | 42 | 27 | 33 | 25 | 49 | 30 | 42 | 30 | 25 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 5 |
| Female | 26 | 29 | 38 | 34 | 26 | 39 | 35 | 35 | 19 | 30 | 46 | 26 | 29 | 20 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 11 |
| Total | 58 | 75 | 83 | 97 | 63 | 81 | 62 | 68 | 44 | 79 | 76 | 68 | 59 | 45 | 32 | 26 | 19 | 16 |
| White: | 4 | 0.38% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 2 | 0.19% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 1,039 | 99.24% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 2 | 0.19% |
| Total: | 1,047 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 562 | 53.47% | 33.4 years |
| Females: | 489 | 46.53% | 37.8 years |
| Total: | 1,051 | 100% | 35.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,116 | 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: | 1,116 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,116 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $22,981, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $5,481 (31.3%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $5,962. Family households earn a median of $33,777 versus $10,875 for nonfamily households (a difference of $22,902). By gender, male median income is $30,568 and female is $41,513, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $10,945 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 36.8%, which is markedly below the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 15.3%, which is markedly higher than the state rate (5.1%). The largest occupation group is Service (32.0%).
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 | $17,500 | $20,357 | $22,361 | $22,386 | $20,556 | $20,700 | $21,029 | $16,500 | $17,019 | $27,848 | $25,625 | $22,000 | $22,981 |
| Median Family Income | $20,625 | $21,786 | $22,750 | $26,528 | $25,521 | $26,375 | $29,464 | $34,375 | $29,318 | $29,672 | $30,313 | $31,790 | $33,777 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $9,297 | $9,750 | $9,063 | $8,889 | $8,938 | $8,750 | $8,984 | $8,958 | $9,280 | $9,234 | $9,412 | $11,375 | $10,875 |
| Median Male Income | $30,595 | $32,426 | $34,375 | $40,750 | $41,111 | $26,923 | $31,111 | $28,929 | $29,063 | $29,444 | $28,125 | $27,981 | $30,568 |
| Median Female Income | $21,929 | $21,985 | $22,375 | $22,868 | $24,583 | $26,563 | $27,143 | $35,694 | $38,563 | $34,181 | $36,118 | $39,408 | $41,513 |
| Employed: | 272 | 31.16% |
| Unemployed: | 49 | 5.61% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 552 | 63.23% |
| Total: | 873 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 69 | 25.37% |
| Service: | 87 | 31.99% |
| Sales and Office: | 57 | 20.96% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 28 | 10.29% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 31 | 11.40% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 272 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $44,000, which is far less than the state median ($358,900), is up $19,100 (76.71%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $700. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,431), is down $742 (100.00%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Of occupied housing, owners make up 96.35% (0.00% with a mortgage, 100.00% free-and-clear) and renters 3.65% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 15.64%, which is markedly above the national rate (10.43%).
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 | $24,900 | $33,300 | $43,500 | $55,700 | $61,500 | $58,900 | $52,000 | $49,500 | $43,300 | $34,600 | $41,100 | $47,000 | $44,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $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: | 12 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 12 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $742 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 317 | 96.35% |
| Renter Occupied: | 12 | 3.65% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 329 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 329 | 84.36% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 61 | 15.64% |
| Total Housing Units: | 390 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 295 | 75.64% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 3 | 0.77% |
| Other Units: | 92 | 23.59% |
| Total Housing Units: | 390 | 100% |
In 2023, 5.80% 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 83.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 45.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.60%). Private coverage is 21.10%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.30%). The share of people in poverty is 32.30%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.70%), down 17.00 percentage points since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 8.10 percentage points. This points to a pronounced improvement in local conditions - rising incomes, firmer consumer demand, and a stronger tax base. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (48.39%). College enrollment is 4.30%, 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: | 80 | 10.27% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 46 | 5.91% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 339 | 43.52% |
| Some college, no degree: | 201 | 25.80% |
| Associate's degree: | 68 | 8.73% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 40 | 5.13% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 5 | 0.64% |
| Total: | 779 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 653 | 83.83% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 45 | 5.78% |
| Private Insurance: | 235 | 21.06% |
| Public Insurance: | 374 | 33.51% |
| No Insurance: | 507 | 45.43% |
| Total: | 1,116 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 609 | 54.57% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 49.3% | 49.5% | 49.5% | 40.0% | 40.9% | 38.0% | 35.9% | 37.9% | 40.4% | 27.9% | 31.3% | 31.0% | 32.3% |
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: | 44 | 15.77% |
| Kindergarten: | 35 | 12.54% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 135 | 48.39% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 53 | 19.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 12 | 4.30% |
| Total: | 279 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 79 | 28.32% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 223 | 79.93% |
ZIP Code 86535 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: | 325Source: 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 86535 is located in Apache County, Arizona, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Arizona's 1st Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 86535. It covers 217.112 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.03 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: | 217.112 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.03 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 55039.61 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0418580Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Dennehotso CDP; ArizonaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 86535 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.