| City: | Nespelem, Washington |
| County: | Okanogan County |
| Timezone: | Pacific (GMT -08:00) |
| Local Time: | 12:16:51 AM |
| Population: | 1,257 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 509 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 48.1926, -119.0581 |
| Land Area: | 305.225 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Nespelem sits in the heart of the Colville Indian Reservation in north-central Washington. Of the 1,257 residents, 1,112 (88%) are Native American, making this one of the largest tribal communities served by a single PO Box ZIP code. The post office works as the central mail hub for a territory covering 367 square miles of reservation land in Okanogan County.
This is a PO Box Only Zone. There's no alternative mail delivery across the entire service area. The Nespelem post office maintains 467 PO Boxes for 401 households, meaning nearly every family relies on a box. A few locations receive rural carrier delivery, but the vast majority of residents pick up mail at the post office. That's not a limitation. It's how mail works when homes are scattered across remote terrain without standard street addressing.
The population-to-household ratio of 3.13 people per household indicates extended family living arrangements common in tribal communities. Median age is 35.9 years, younger than the national average. About 66% of homes are owner-occupied, while 34% are rentals. Housing stock includes 76 mobile homes and many homes built before standard addressing systems existed.
Street names show the blend of town center and surrounding territory. In Nespelem itself, numbered streets like 5th Street, 6th Street, and 8th Street form a traditional grid. Beyond town, roads take names from geography and people: Gold Lake Road (15 delivery records), Cache Creek Road, Joe Moses Road, Charlie Williams Road, and Buffalo Lake Road. Highway 155 runs through the area, connecting to the broader reservation.
Government work dominates the local economy. Of 774 adults over 25, public administration employs 224 workers, likely for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Median household income is $44,000, and per capita income is $26,403. Education levels are lower than state averages, with 9.1% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. About 19% of workers work from home, and 49 residents use public transportation for their commute.
The post office has served this community since before October 2004 (when USPS tracking began), but the facility code 'P' indicates it's been the main post office for decades. There are no city aliases or alternative names. Mail is addressed simply to Nespelem, WA 99155, with a PO Box number required for most deliveries.
Streets show dual character: numbered grid in town center (5th, 6th, 8th streets) and roads named for geography and people across the wider reservation (Gold Lake Road, Joe Moses Road, Charlie Williams Road).
ZIP Code 99155 has 1,257 residents and 401 households (average 2.97 persons per household). The median age is 35.9 years, slightly younger than the state (38.1) and slightly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 51.7% male and 48.3% female, which is slightly higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are American Indian & Alaska Native (88.5%, much higher than the state average of 1.6% and well above the national average of 1.1%) and White (7.5%, much lower than the state average of 66.6% and well below the national average of 61.6%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 2.4%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%), and American Indian & Alaska Native share is much higher than both the state (1.6%) and national averages (1.1%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,257Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 996Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 4.1 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $44,000Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 401Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $136,500Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.97Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 4.85Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 964 | 957 | 1,001 | 1,129 | 950 | 1,137 | 1,159 | 1,120 | 1,007 | 1,231 | 1,245 | 977 | 996 |
| Decennial Census | 1,350 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,257 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 35.9
Male Median Age: 35.2
Female Median Age: 37.2
| 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 | 41 | 52 | 55 | 59 | 40 | 38 | 38 | 41 | 42 | 51 | 37 | 40 | 37 | 28 | 25 | 16 | 9 | 1 |
| Female | 43 | 47 | 47 | 21 | 42 | 42 | 45 | 25 | 36 | 34 | 23 | 49 | 42 | 37 | 26 | 28 | 9 | 11 |
| Total | 84 | 99 | 102 | 80 | 82 | 80 | 83 | 66 | 78 | 85 | 60 | 89 | 79 | 65 | 51 | 44 | 18 | 12 |
| White: | 94 | 7.59% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 30 | 2.42% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 1,112 | 89.75% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 3 | 0.24% |
| Total: | 1,239 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 650 | 51.71% | 35.2 years |
| Females: | 607 | 48.29% | 37.2 years |
| Total: | 1,257 | 100% | 35.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 987 | 99.10% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 3 | 0.30% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 1 | 0.10% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 5 | 0.60% |
| Total Population: | 996 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 990 | 99.40% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 6 | 0.60% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $44,000, which is considerably lower than the state median ($94,952), is up $21,955 (99.6%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $13,327. Family households earn a median of $56,607 versus $18,750 for nonfamily households (a difference of $37,857). By gender, male median income is $51,471 and female is $58,056, which is considerably higher than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $6,585 that has narrowed from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 43.8%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (64.7%). The unemployment rate is 12.8%, which is markedly higher than the state rate (4.9%). The largest occupation group is Management (34.9%).
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 | $22,045 | $21,094 | $25,435 | $22,422 | $23,529 | $23,194 | $28,462 | $29,602 | $30,673 | $30,956 | $31,875 | $31,875 | $44,000 |
| Median Family Income | $26,389 | $27,625 | $29,750 | $30,179 | $32,266 | $33,750 | $38,393 | $36,313 | $44,167 | $41,111 | $42,500 | $47,917 | $56,607 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $9,674 | $9,815 | $19,444 | $12,361 | $12,250 | $11,688 | $13,603 | $14,853 | $17,768 | $19,148 | $20,568 | $20,625 | $18,750 |
| Median Male Income | $33,854 | $33,068 | $37,574 | $38,092 | $39,779 | $39,464 | $40,357 | $40,714 | $46,406 | $43,182 | $44,605 | $49,444 | $51,471 |
| Median Female Income | $26,389 | $26,250 | $31,250 | $28,000 | $29,432 | $28,462 | $30,208 | $31,771 | $35,972 | $38,750 | $38,021 | $55,391 | $58,056 |
| Employed: | 301 | 38.25% |
| Unemployed: | 44 | 5.59% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 442 | 56.16% |
| Total: | 787 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 105 | 34.88% |
| Service: | 38 | 12.62% |
| Sales and Office: | 89 | 29.57% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 49 | 16.28% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 20 | 6.64% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 301 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $136,500, which is far less than the state median ($519,800), is up $36,700 (36.77%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $43,200. The median gross rent is $390, which is well under the state median ($1,682), is up $213 (120.34%) since 2011 and below its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $90. Of occupied housing, owners make up 66.58% (38.52% with a mortgage, 61.48% free-and-clear) and renters 33.42% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 10.44%, which is markedly above the state rate (7.42%).
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 | $99,800 | $97,200 | $79,100 | $76,400 | $77,300 | $82,900 | $84,400 | $88,600 | $93,300 | $109,400 | $117,600 | $140,100 | $136,500 |
| Less than $500: | 54 | 41.86% |
| $500 to $999: | 38 | 29.46% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 13 | 10.08% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 1 | 0.78% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0.00% |
| No Rent: | 23 | 17.83% |
| Total: | 129 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $177 | $198 | $452 | $428 | $425 | $417 | $497 | $479 | $480 | $525 | $522 | $400 | $390 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 99 | 25.65% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 158 | 40.93% |
| Renter Occupied: | 129 | 33.42% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 386 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 386 | 89.56% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 45 | 10.44% |
| Total Housing Units: | 431 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 313 | 72.62% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 42 | 9.74% |
| Other Units: | 76 | 17.63% |
| Total Housing Units: | 431 | 100% |
In 2023, 9.10% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is markedly below the state rate (38.80%). High school or higher is 90.90%, which is comparable to the national rate (89.40%). The uninsured rate is 26.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (6.40%). Private coverage is 39.40%, which is generally lower than the state rate (70.90%). Public coverage is 50.70%, which is notably higher than the state rate (35.80%). The share of people in poverty is 32.50%, which is markedly above the state rate (6.40%), down 1.80 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 5.30 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 (45.32%). College enrollment is 24.72%, 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 | 3.19% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 41 | 5.95% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 241 | 34.98% |
| Some college, no degree: | 214 | 31.06% |
| Associate's degree: | 108 | 15.67% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 26 | 3.77% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 37 | 5.37% |
| Total: | 689 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 626 | 90.86% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 63 | 9.14% |
| Private Insurance: | 376 | 33.94% |
| Public Insurance: | 484 | 43.68% |
| No Insurance: | 248 | 22.38% |
| Total: | 1,108 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 860 | 77.62% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 34.3% | 34.4% | 35.1% | 42.9% | 33.0% | 34.6% | 33.1% | 30.5% | 27.2% | 34.5% | 33.0% | 34.9% | 32.5% |
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: | 37 | 13.86% |
| Kindergarten: | 14 | 5.24% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 121 | 45.32% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 29 | 10.86% |
| College or graduate school: | 66 | 24.72% |
| Total: | 267 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 51 | 19.10% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 164 | 61.42% |
ZIP Code 99155 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 67 people with an annual payroll of $3,647,000.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 499Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $863,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $3,647,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 67Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 99155 is located in Okanogan County, Washington, within the Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA ) and Washington's 4th Congressional District. This area has a population of 0 people, about 0.00% of whom live in ZIP Code 99155. It covers 305.225 sq mi of land and a water area of 3.125 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: | 305.225 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 3.125 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 04Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 19250.22 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 5348540Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Nespelem town; WashingtonSource: Census |
ZIP Code 99155 is in the Nespelem 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 January 1, 2026.