Local servicesHospitalClark Fork Valley Hospital5.6 miPost officePlains Post Office5.9 miTown hallPlains Town Hall5.9 miPolicePlains Police Department5.9 miFire stationPlains - Paradise Rural Fire District5.8 miSource: USGS National Structures Dataset
Getting aroundAirportMissoula Montana Airport MSO53 miMajor airportSpokane International Airport GEG128 miInterstateI-9021 miUS highwayUS 9329 miAmtrakWhitefish, MT WFH65 miSources: OurAirports; US Census Bureau TIGER roads; Bureau of Transportation Statistics NTAD
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 59859 ZIP area.
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Local Information
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the 59859 ZIP area.
Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 15 h 59 min5:41 am – 9:40 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 8 h 26 min8:24 am – 4:50 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People4,360 residentsin the ZIP code areaMedian age 55.21,854 householdsMedian household income $64,846Median home value $429,200Median rent $865 a month78% of homes owner-occupiedMedian property tax $2,045 a yearSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Work and commuting10.4% unemployment rate42% of adults are in the labour force, 1,382 employedMain industries: education and health care 26%, construction 14%, farming, forestry and mining 11%Average commute 19 minutes60% drive alone, 9% car-pool, 14% walk or cycle, 13% work from homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
Education and languages21% of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher92% finished high school, 8% hold a graduate degreeLanguages at home: English only 92%, German or Dutch 5%, Spanish 1%Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024, ZIP area
ClimateWarmest month August: highs 87°F, lows 45°FColdest month December: highs 33°F, lows 21°F16 in of rain a year, on about 56 dayswettest month June15 in of snow a year, on about 11 days29 days above 90°F, 191 nights below freezing in a typical yearSource: NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, Saint Regis 1 Ne station, 20 mi away; rain from Superior; snow from Thompson Falls Ph
Parks and public landsLolo National Forestnational forest · within reach · 2,271,493 acresParadise Crossing Fishing Access Sitestate recreation area · 9.4 miFull Curl Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.7 mi · 441 acresRoundhorn Wildlife Management Areastate conservation land · 11.9 miFlathead National Forestnational forest · 24.5 mi · 2,414,171 acresThompson Falls State Parkstate park · 28.4 miSource: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US)
Earthquakes71 of magnitude 3 or more within 50 miles since 19707 of magnitude 4+, 0 of magnitude 5+Largest: magnitude 4.7 on 22 Dec 199838 mi away, Idaho-Montana border regionMost recent: magnitude 3.3 on 11 Feb 202547 mi awaySource: USGS Earthquake Catalog
Natural hazardsOverall risk Relatively LowSanders County, MT, compared with all US countiesHigher-risk hazardsWinter weather Relatively HighSource: FEMA National Risk Index (county level)
Air quality82% of days had good air in 2025283 of 345 days measured62 moderate daysMedian index 16, worst day 85main pollutant: coarse particles (PM10)Source: US EPA Air Quality Index, Sanders County monitors, MT
Internet at home87% of households have a broadband subscription71% have cable, fibre or DSL11% rely on a mobile data plan alone5% have no internet at homeSource: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Drinking waterTown of Plainsserves 1,700 people from ground waterNo health-based violations since 20212 monitoring or reporting violations since 2021Source: US EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System, largest system serving the town
Elevation3,600 ft1,097 m above sea levelSource: USGS 3D Elevation Program
