| City: | Index, Washington |
| County: | Snohomish County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:15:09 AM |
| Population: | 446 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 360 / 564 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 47.8440, -121.4392 |
| Land Area: | 75.563 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Index sits deep in the Cascade Mountains of Snohomish County, Washington, about 50 miles northeast of Seattle. This remote mountain community spans 145 square miles along the North Fork of the Skykomish River, with a year-round population of just 446 people.
The Index post office maintains 210 PO Boxes for 159 occupied homes. That's a 1.32 adoption rate, meaning the post office serves beyond just local residents. Seasonal homeowners and people from surrounding areas rely on Index for mail service. This is a PO Box Only Zone, and carrier delivery isn't available across this mountain territory.
Of the 321 total housing units, 134 are used seasonally. That's 42% of all housing. The seasonal vacancy pattern points to a recreational community where cabins and vacation homes account for nearly half the housing stock. These properties serve as weekend retreats and mountain getaways for people from the Seattle metro area.
Mail arrives via rural route delivery to scattered homes and PO Boxes. Two rural carrier routes (R routes) serve the area, covering 72 delivery points across mountain roads. General Delivery is also available (G001 route), common in remote mountain areas where addressing can be inconsistent.
Street names tell the story of this mountain community. Index-Galena Road (25 delivery records) is the main corridor, connecting to the former mining town of Galena upriver. Nature-inspired names like River Park Drive, Agate Lane, and Jasper Lane reference the area's geology. The community sits near popular recreation areas, including the Skykomish River for whitewater kayaking and nearby hiking trails.
The median age is 45.5 years, and the median household income is $91,406. Most workers commute long distances. 58% work from home, a high rate that suggests remote workers and retirees who've chosen this isolated mountain setting. Per capita income is $35,905. Median home value is $379,500, and there are 50 mobile homes in the area.
Index has just 5 business establishments employing 4 people. This isn't a commercial center. It's a residential and recreational community where people come for solitude, outdoor access, and distance from urban life. The post office works as a gathering point, one of the few public services in this mountain territory.
All mail goes to PO Boxes. Use this format:
Recipient Name
PO Box [Number]
Index, WA 98256Street names reference the area's mining past (Index-Galena Road), natural features (River Park, Agate Lane, Jasper Lane), and mountain geography.
ZIP Code 98256 has 446 residents and 159 households (average 2.81 persons per household). The median age is 45.5 years, significantly older than the state (38.1) and older than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.2% male and 49.8% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%). Largest groups are White (78.3%, much higher than the state average of 66.6% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (7.0%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 7.0%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 446Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 368Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 5.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $94,375Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 159Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $430,000Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.81Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 3.67Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 448 | 390 | 462 | 510 | 406 | 407 | 377 | 328 | 348 | 369 | 328 | 318 | 409 | 368 |
| Decennial Census | 420 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 446 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 45.5
Male Median Age: 47.3
Female Median Age: 45
| 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 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 22 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 20 | 22 | 26 | 13 | 2 | 7 | 9 |
| Female | 8 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 26 | 16 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 7 | 4 |
| Total | 19 | 17 | 17 | 24 | 20 | 28 | 38 | 29 | 29 | 27 | 21 | 35 | 36 | 38 | 24 | 17 | 14 | 13 |
| White: | 349 | 83.29% |
| Black: | 2 | 0.48% |
| Hispanic:* | 31 | 7.40% |
| Asian: | 3 | 0.72% |
| American Indian: | 7 | 1.67% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 27 | 6.44% |
| Total: | 419 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 224 | 50.22% | 47.3 years |
| Females: | 222 | 49.78% | 45.0 years |
| Total: | 446 | 100% | 45.5 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 348 | 94.57% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 20 | 5.43% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 5.43% |
| Total Population: | 368 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 348 | 94.57% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 20 | 5.43% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $94,375, which is much higher than the national median ($80,734), is up $55,125 (140.4%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $31,562. Family households earn a median of $118,636 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $118,636). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $36,125, which is considerably lower than the national female median ($55,274), with a current gap of $36,125 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 53.5%, which is much lower than the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 14.4%, which is much higher than the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (39.6%).
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 | $39,250 | $40,694 | $32,386 | $41,250 | $52,083 | $56,094 | $56,667 | $62,500 | $62,813 | $0 | $0 | $87,188 | $91,406 | $94,375 |
| Median Family Income | $59,091 | $60,568 | $57,500 | $60,096 | $66,875 | $76,094 | $75,000 | $87,500 | $86,250 | $94,688 | $102,083 | $111,875 | $97,273 | $118,636 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $28,977 | $26,667 | $23,229 | $22,708 | $27,000 | $21,944 | $28,333 | $28,333 | $26,250 | $20,000 | $20,962 | $0 | $41,528 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $50,500 | $52,692 | $48,750 | $48,125 | $50,536 | $50,938 | $52,031 | $54,063 | $62,500 | $50,750 | $51,429 | $0 | $79,318 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $34,375 | $65,000 | $41,786 | $41,500 | $41,447 | $41,458 | $41,071 | $44,375 | $0 | $24,643 | $21,563 | $23,000 | $24,931 | $36,125 |
| Employed: | 149 | 45.85% |
| Unemployed: | 25 | 7.69% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 151 | 46.46% |
| Total: | 325 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 59 | 39.60% |
| Service: | 13 | 8.72% |
| Sales and Office: | 11 | 7.38% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 13 | 8.72% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 53 | 35.57% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 149 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $430,000, which is far above the national median ($332,700), is up $236,500 (122.22%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $210,800. The median gross rent is $0, which is well under the national median ($1,413), is down $725 (100.00%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $1,013. Of occupied housing, owners make up 85.90% (35.07% with a mortgage, 64.93% free-and-clear) and renters 14.10% - making this ZIP Code under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 49.68%, which is considerably 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 | $193,500 | $185,000 | $155,500 | $153,200 | $168,800 | $160,100 | $181,700 | $220,000 | $219,200 | $263,900 | $313,800 | $325,000 | $379,500 | $430,000 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 22 | 100.00% |
| $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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 22 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $725 | $735 | $818 | $823 | $900 | $930 | $921 | $794 | $1,013 | $950 | $1,188 | $1,063 | $1,283 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 47 | 30.13% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 87 | 55.77% |
| Renter Occupied: | 22 | 14.10% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 156 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 156 | 50.32% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 154 | 49.68% |
| Total Housing Units: | 310 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 283 | 91.29% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 27 | 8.71% |
| Total Housing Units: | 310 | 100% |
In 2024, 12.50% 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 75.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.60%). The uninsured rate is 11.70%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.40%). Public coverage is 60.10%, which is far higher than the national rate (36.70%). The share of people in poverty is 0.00%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.80%), down 12.90 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.10 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 (78.79%). 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: | 22 | 7.26% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 51 | 16.83% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 144 | 47.52% |
| Some college, no degree: | 48 | 15.84% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 14 | 4.62% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 24 | 7.92% |
| Total: | 303 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 230 | 75.91% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 38 | 12.54% |
| Private Insurance: | 188 | 41.59% |
| Public Insurance: | 221 | 48.89% |
| No Insurance: | 43 | 9.51% |
| Total: | 452 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 409 | 90.49% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 23.1% | 19.4% | 17.9% | 16.3% | 9.5% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 0.0% | 10.1% | 9.2% | 11.7% | 14.5% | 10.2% | 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): | 26 | 78.79% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 7 | 21.21% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 33 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 33 | 100.00% |
ZIP Code 98256 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 7 business establishments, employing about 14 people with an annual payroll of $634,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 225Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 7Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $123,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $634,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 14Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 98256 is located in Snohomish County, Washington, within the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 42660) and Washington's 8th Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 3,439,809 people, about 0.01% of whom live in ZIP Code 98256, and is subdivided into the Everett, WA division. It covers 75.563 sq mi of land and a water area of 0.331 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WASource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 42660Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | Everett, WA (CBSA Div 21794)Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 3,439,809Source: Census |
| MSA: | Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA CMSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 75.563 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 0.331 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 08Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 7359.7 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSASource: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5333175Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Index town; WashingtonSource: Census |
ZIP Code 98256 is in the Index School District, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th. 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.