| City: | Many Farms, Arizona |
| City Alias: | Chinle |
| County: | Apache County |
| Timezone: | Mountain (GMT -07:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:22:33 AM |
| Population: | 2,355 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 928 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 36.4799, -109.6013 |
| Land Area: | 140.356 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Many Farms sits on Navajo Nation land in Apache County, Arizona. Of the 2,355 residents, 97% are Native American (2,282 people). This is one of the larger Navajo communities with PO Box classification, spread across 219 square miles of high desert terrain between Chinle and the New Mexico border.
The community post office maintains 483 PO Boxes for 706 occupied households. That's an adoption rate of 68%, meaning roughly two out of every three households rely on a PO Box for mail. This ZIP isn't designated as a PO Box Only Zone, but the limited addressing infrastructure across the vast territory means most residents use the post office.
Mail delivery here follows an unusual pattern. There's one Highway Contract route along Highway 191 that runs through the area, plus General Delivery service. No city or rural carrier routes exist. For most of the 219 square miles, residents travel to the post office in Many Farms to pick up mail, packages, and government documents.
Household structure here differs from typical American patterns. With 2,355 people in 706 households, that's 3.3 people per household. This ratio indicates extended family living arrangements, common in Navajo communities where multiple generations often share homes.
The median age is 32.1 years, younger than the national average. Educational attainment stands at 13.2% with bachelor's degrees or higher among adults. Median household income is $25,234, with per capita income at $14,372. About 70% of housing is owner-occupied (492 of 706 occupied units).
Employment patterns show the importance of government and institutions in the local economy. Of workers, 208 are employed in public administration, and 205 work in educational services and healthcare. Transportation and warehousing employs 142 workers. The area has 5 business establishments employing 135 people total.
Interestingly, 28% of workers work from home, higher than many rural areas. This likely includes traditional activities like weaving, silverwork, and livestock management that happen at or near home sites across the reservation.
Chinle is listed as an acceptable mailing name for this ZIP, linking Many Farms to the larger regional hub to the west. Both the Many Farms and Chinle post offices serve the eastern portion of the Navajo Nation.
Only one street appears in ZIP+4 data: Highway 191, the main corridor through the area.
ZIP Code 86538 has 2,355 residents and 706 households (average 3.34 persons per household). The median age is 32.1 years, younger than the state (38.9) and younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 49.3% male and 50.7% female, which is about the same as the national male share (49.1%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (96.9%, much higher than the state average of 4.5% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (1.8%, much lower than the state average of 60.4% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 0.8%, 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: | 2,355Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,714Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 16.8 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $30,268Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 706Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $45,600Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 3.34Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.27Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 2,270 | 2,410 | 2,552 | 2,563 | 2,570 | 2,432 | 2,080 | 2,026 | 1,825 | 1,649 | 1,491 | 1,603 | 1,545 | 1,714 |
| Decennial Census | 2,338 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 2,355 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 32.1
Male Median Age: 31
Female Median Age: 32.8
| 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 | 106 | 114 | 105 | 98 | 77 | 60 | 67 | 59 | 63 | 77 | 78 | 62 | 58 | 47 | 37 | 25 | 22 | 6 |
| Female | 87 | 75 | 109 | 106 | 89 | 86 | 76 | 69 | 52 | 60 | 48 | 72 | 79 | 62 | 50 | 37 | 17 | 20 |
| Total | 193 | 189 | 214 | 204 | 166 | 146 | 143 | 128 | 115 | 137 | 126 | 134 | 137 | 109 | 87 | 62 | 39 | 26 |
| White: | 42 | 1.79% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 19 | 0.81% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 2,282 | 97.11% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 7 | 0.30% |
| Total: | 2,350 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 1,161 | 49.30% | 31.0 years |
| Females: | 1,194 | 50.70% | 32.8 years |
| Total: | 2,355 | 100% | 32.1 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,687 | 98.42% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 12 | 0.70% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 15 | 1.58% |
| Total Population: | 1,714 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,687 | 98.42% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 27 | 1.58% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $30,268, which is far less than the national median ($80,734), is down $3,303 (9.8%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $5,216. Family households earn a median of $37,417 versus $13,088 for nonfamily households (a difference of $24,329). By gender, male median income is $42,500 and female is $41,786, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $714 that has widened from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 39.6%, which is far less than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 15.9%, which is considerably above the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (35.3%).
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 | $33,571 | $31,938 | $34,000 | $35,750 | $32,969 | $26,897 | $26,304 | $25,714 | $25,052 | $25,446 | $24,457 | $27,500 | $25,234 | $30,268 |
| Median Family Income | $33,864 | $34,531 | $37,891 | $37,917 | $37,237 | $36,518 | $36,615 | $39,583 | $40,893 | $36,250 | $36,154 | $36,563 | $34,417 | $37,417 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $28,500 | $21,000 | $15,750 | $18,750 | $12,361 | $13,750 | $10,066 | $11,071 | $10,946 | $11,667 | $12,411 | $14,356 | $14,022 | $13,088 |
| Median Male Income | $33,750 | $27,448 | $31,375 | $33,438 | $34,375 | $34,250 | $44,375 | $45,250 | $52,500 | $55,795 | $55,114 | $61,136 | $43,125 | $42,500 |
| Median Female Income | $36,042 | $36,343 | $36,346 | $35,114 | $35,039 | $32,300 | $30,962 | $31,354 | $35,491 | $33,839 | $34,500 | $37,500 | $37,266 | $41,786 |
| Employed: | 419 | 33.28% |
| Unemployed: | 79 | 6.27% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 761 | 60.44% |
| Total: | 1,259 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 148 | 35.32% |
| Service: | 88 | 21.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 92 | 21.96% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 43 | 10.26% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 48 | 11.46% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 419 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $45,600, which is far less than the national median ($332,700), is down $16,500 (26.57%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $100. The median gross rent is $920, which is considerably lower than the national median ($1,413), is up $544 (144.68%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $529. Of occupied housing, owners make up 78.28% (2.68% with a mortgage, 97.32% free-and-clear) and renters 21.72% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 21.35%, which is much 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 | $62,100 | $47,300 | $47,700 | $49,400 | $53,700 | $56,300 | $49,800 | $38,500 | $45,700 | $35,800 | $23,900 | $44,300 | $54,600 | $45,600 |
| Less than $500: | 6 | 4.84% |
| $500 to $999: | 59 | 47.58% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 26 | 20.97% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 15 | 12.10% |
| $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: | 18 | 14.52% |
| Total: | 124 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $376 | $422 | $426 | $433 | $396 | $413 | $395 | $414 | $391 | $429 | $476 | $479 | $600 | $920 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 12 | 2.10% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 435 | 76.18% |
| Renter Occupied: | 124 | 21.72% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 571 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 571 | 78.65% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 155 | 21.35% |
| Total Housing Units: | 726 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 422 | 58.13% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 87 | 11.98% |
| Other Units: | 217 | 29.89% |
| Total Housing Units: | 726 | 100% |
In 2024, 14.40% 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 87.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 33.50%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.40%). Private coverage is 24.60%, which is far lower than the national rate (67.10%). The share of people in poverty is 32.40%, which is far higher than the national rate (8.80%), up 2.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 6.10 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (53.04%). College enrollment is 11.13%, 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: | 50 | 4.89% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 75 | 7.34% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 398 | 38.94% |
| Some college, no degree: | 212 | 20.74% |
| Associate's degree: | 140 | 13.70% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 73 | 7.14% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 74 | 7.24% |
| Total: | 1,022 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 897 | 87.77% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 147 | 14.38% |
| Private Insurance: | 422 | 24.48% |
| Public Insurance: | 728 | 42.23% |
| No Insurance: | 574 | 33.29% |
| Total: | 1,724 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,150 | 66.71% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 32.7% | 31.5% | 31.0% | 29.6% | 32.4% | 33.5% | 30.4% | 28.5% | 29.3% | 33.2% | 34.3% | 35.3% | 35.4% | 32.4% |
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 | 2.43% |
| Kindergarten: | 11 | 2.23% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 262 | 53.04% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 154 | 31.17% |
| College or graduate school: | 55 | 11.13% |
| Total: | 494 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 23 | 4.66% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 427 | 86.44% |
ZIP Code 86538 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 6 business establishments, employing about 144 people with an annual payroll of $6,108,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 475Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 6Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $1,389,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $6,108,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 144Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 86538 is located in Apache County, Arizona, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Arizona's 2nd Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 86538. It covers 140.356 sq mi of land and a water area of 2.551 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: | 140.356 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 2.551 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 02Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 7838.12 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 0444200Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Many Farms CDP; ArizonaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 86538 is in the Chinle Unified District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. There are 3 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.