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Area data

Plains, MT — ZIP 59859

Population: 4,360 (Census ACS)

The median home value in ZIP 59859 (Plains, MT) is $468,045 — up 3.8% over the past year. 3 schools serve the area (NCES). FEMA's National Risk Index rates the county's overall natural-hazard risk Relatively Low, with winterweather, coldwave, icestorm the top-rated hazards. Cost of living is 4.5% below the US average (BEA, metro/state-level).

Backed by 25+ public sourcesFEMA · U.S. Census · NOAA · Dept. of Education · EPA · and more

$468,045

Median home value

+3.8%

1-year change

Relatively Low

Hazard risk (county)

Home values & appreciation

Median home value
$468,045
1-year appreciation
+3.8%
3-year appreciation
+15.1%
5-year appreciation
+46.8%
10-year appreciation
+166.4%
All-time peak (2026-07)
$468,045
House Price Index (state)
724.8 (-1.8% YoY)

Sources: home value index (ZIP-level) · FHFA House Price Index (state-level)

Market activity

For-sale inventory
47
New listings (monthly)
11

Source: recent area sales and market data (ZIP-level)

Affordability

Cost of living index (Average)
95.5 (100 = US avg)
Electricity rate (state-level)
13.0¢/kWh
Natural gas rate (state-level)
$9.00/MCF
30-year mortgage rate (national)
6.66%
15-year mortgage rate (national)
6.00%

Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro/state-level) · EIA energy rates (state-level) · Freddie Mac PMMS (national)

Schools

Total schools
3
Elementary schools
1
Middle schools
1
High schools
1
Schools include
Plains Elementary School, Plains High School, Plains 7-8

Source: NCES school directory, 2022-23 (school-address-based)

Natural hazards & flood risk

Overall hazard risk (county)
Relatively Low
Top hazards (county)
winterWeather, coldWave, iceStorm, landslide, wildfire
Notable hazard ratings (county)
avalanche: Relatively Low · coldWave: Relatively Moderate · earthquake: Relatively Low · iceStorm: Relatively Moderate · inlandFlooding: Relatively Low · landslide: Relatively Moderate
Wildfire risk to homes (county)
Higher than 85% of US counties
Buildings in wildfire direct-exposure zone
79.6%
Radon potential (county)
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites within 5 mi
None
EPA recommends radon testing for every home regardless of zone.

Sources: FEMA National Risk Index (county-level) · FEMA flood data (ZIP-level) · USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities (county-level) · EPA radon zones + Superfund NPL

Climate (30-year normals)

Average annual temperature
44.0°F
Average high
57.0°F
Average low
31.0°F
Annual precipitation
38.1 in
USDA plant hardiness zone
6a (extreme annual low -10 to -5°F)

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals (30-year, nearest-station) · USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)

Air quality

Air quality rating
Good
Median AQI (annual)
37
Days with Good air quality
263
Days with Moderate air quality
96
Days with Unhealthy air quality
2
Highest AQI recorded (year)
181

Source: EPA air quality data (nearest monitoring station, annual)

Amenities

Airports within 30 mi
7
Nearest airport
Thompson Falls Airport (THM) (9 mi)
Hospitals nearby (~15 mi)
1
Hospitals include
CLARK FORK VALLEY HOSPITAL
Solar radiation rating
Fair (3.8 kWh/m²/day)

Sources: National Park Service · FAA airport data · CMS hospital data · DOE/NREL (proximity-based)

Migration

Net migration (county)
+239 tax filers

Source: IRS county-to-county migration data (county-level, ~12-month lag)

Housing stock

Median year housing built
1,995
Housing built before 1970
15.2%
Housing built 2000 or later
38.6%
Median annual property tax
$2,045
Households with broadband internet
70.7%

Source: Census ACS 5-year estimates (ZIP-level)

Employment & development

Total county employment
2,686
Average weekly wage
$798
Top industries (by employment)
Health Care, Accommodation & Food, Construction

Sources: BLS QCEW (county-level) · Census Building Permits (county-level)

How it compares

ZIP 59859State medianUS median
Median home value$468,045$425,267$289,727
Median annual property tax$2,045$1,830$2,006

State and US medians are computed across all US ZIP codes with sufficient public-data coverage, from the same sources as the figures above.

Area data compiled from public government, academic, and industry research feeds. Data sources →

Common questions

What is the median home value in ZIP 59859?
$468,045.
What is the natural-hazard risk in ZIP 59859?
Overall risk: Relatively Low (FEMA NRI, county-level). Top hazards: winterWeather, coldWave, iceStorm, landslide, wildfire.
What is the wildfire risk in ZIP 59859?
Risk to homes is higher than 85% of US counties (USDA Forest Service Wildfire Risk to Communities, county-level).
What is the radon potential in ZIP 59859?
High radon potential — EPA Zone 1 of 3, county-level. EPA recommends testing every home regardless of zone.
Are there Superfund sites near ZIP 59859?
No current or proposed National Priorities List sites within 5 miles (EPA).
How many schools serve ZIP 59859?
3 schools (1 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high) (NCES, 2022-23).
What is the air quality in ZIP 59859?
Good. Median AQI: 37. (EPA AQI).
What is the cost of living in ZIP 59859?
Regional Price Parity: 95.5 (100 = US average) (Average) (BEA RPP, metro/state-level).

Nearby ZIP codes

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Data last updated

Most recent source refresh: Sep 2026. See all data sources →

Data compiled by REAIGENT7 — AI listing platform for real estate agents