Carter ZIP Code List — Chouteau County, MT

There is one unique ZIP code in Carter, Montana and it is 59420. Area code: 406.
1
ZIP codes
249.01
sq mi land
0.12
sq mi water
406
area code
Carter, MT ZIP code map

About Carter, MT

Carter, Montana is a small unincorporated community located within the scenic Chouteau County. With its quiet charm, this rural area is known for its picturesque landscapes and a close-knit community atmosphere. The ZIP code for Carter is 59420 and it plays a part in the rich tapestry of Montana's history and geography.

Location & geography

Carter is positioned in north-central Montana, approximately 24 miles south of Havre and about 32 miles north of Great Falls. The terrain around Carter consists primarily of rolling hills and open plains, offering stunning views typical of Montana's vast landscape. The community covers a total land area of 249.01 square miles, with a small water area of 0.12 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Carter is defined by its agricultural roots and the friendly demeanor of its residents. The economy is primarily centered on farming and ranching, with local families contributing to the area's agricultural productivity. Daily life in Carter is peaceful, with a strong emphasis on community gatherings and a rural lifestyle that fosters close relationships among neighbors.

Transportation

Carter is accessible via U.S. Route 87, which connects the area to larger cities in Montana. The nearest major airport is Great Falls International Airport, located approximately 32 miles to the north, providing regional and national flight options. Local transit options may be limited due to Carter's rural nature.

History

Carter was founded in the late 19th century during a wave of settlement across Montana, capitalizing on the vast natural resources and fertile land. The community has historically been tied to agriculture, which remains a key industry today, shaping the growth and development of the area. Notable events include the establishment of local farming co-ops that have supported the agricultural community through the years.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Carter is that despite its small size, it encompasses a sprawling area that reflects Montana's rural character. Visitors may be intrigued by the scenic landscapes that offer opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.

ZIP codes for Carter, MT (1)
ZIP code City County Map
59420 Carter Chouteau View map

Demographics & statistics

251
Population
46.9
Median age
$57,969
Median household income
$27,701
Per capita income
$0
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
84.8%
Home ownership
12.7%
Poverty rate
1.6%
Unemployment
83
Housing units
26.9%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
5
Under 5
3
8
5–9
6
4
10–14
3
10
15–19
7
26
20–24
19
9
25–34
6
7
35–44
6
13
45–54
10
10
55–59
8
20
60–64
15
11
65–74
9
17
75–84
12
4
85+
3
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 184417.5%
18 and over20782.5%
65 and over5622.3%
Median age46.9 years

Race & ethnicity

White 90.8%
Two or more races 5%
Hispanic or Latino 4.2%
GroupCount%
White23890.8%
Two or more races135%
Hispanic or Latino114.2%

Household income

Under $10k 2.5%
$10k–$15k 10.1%
$15k–$25k 13.9%
$25k–$35k 7.6%
$35k–$50k 13.9%
$50k–$75k 19.0%
$75k–$100k 11.4%
$100k–$150k 3.8%
$150k–$200k 8.9%
$200k+ 8.9%
Range% of households
Under $10k2.5%
$10k–$15k10.1%
$15k–$25k13.9%
$25k–$35k7.6%
$35k–$50k13.9%
$50k–$75k19.0%
$75k–$100k11.4%
$100k–$150k3.8%
$150k–$200k8.9%
$200k+8.9%
Median income$57,969

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.9%
$50k–$100k 16.4%
$100k–$150k 23.9%
$150k–$200k 11.9%
$200k–$300k 13.4%
$300k–$500k 22.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$0
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied84.8%
Renter occupied15.2%
Vacant16.8%
Single-family detached86.3%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes6.3%
Median rooms6.3
Avg household size (owned)2.30

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20191.1%
2000–20094.2%
1990–19995.3%
1980–19896.3%
1970–197931.6%
1960–19690.0%
1950–19596.3%
1940–194910.5%
1939 or earlier34.7%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom0.0%
2 bedrooms36.8%
3 bedrooms35.8%
4 bedrooms23.2%
5+ bedrooms4.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle5.1%
1 vehicle8.9%
2 vehicles27.8%
3 or more58.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas7.6%
Electricity13.9%
Propane / LP gas67.1%
Fuel oil3.8%
Wood7.6%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family5265.8%
Cohabiting couple22.5%
Male householder, no spouse1113.9%
Female householder, no spouse1417.7%
Households with children under 181721.5%
Households with seniors (65+)3746.8%
Average household size2.86

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married47.4%31.1%
Married44.0%53.8%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed0.0%12.3%
Divorced8.6%2.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%
Some HS, no diploma 7.5%
HS graduate 44.4%
Some college, no degree 12.5%
Associate's degree 8.8%
Bachelor's degree 21.3%
Graduate / professional 5.6%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher92.5%
Bachelor's or higher26.9%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool25.6%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school1952.8%
High school1541.7%
College / grad school00.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 28.3%
Construction 27.5%
Manufacturing 13.3%
Professional & management 6.7%
Transportation & utilities 5.8%
Education & healthcare 5.8%
Public administration 5.0%
Finance & real estate 4.2%
Other services 2.5%
Information 0.8%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts25.0%
Service0.8%
Sales & office12.5%
Natural resources & construction44.2%
Production & transportation17.5%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector64.2%
Government16.7%
Self-employed12.5%
Unpaid family workers6.7%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone38.1%
Carpool33.9%
Public transit0.0%
Walk14.4%
Other means0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)20.0

Poverty

All people 12.7%
Under 18 years 11.4%
18 and over 13.0%
Married-couple families 3.8%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security48.1%
Retirement income20.3%
Supplemental Security0.0%
Cash public assistance10.1%
Food stamps / SNAP1.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure30.8%
High cholesterol31.3%
Heart disease6.8%
Stroke3.0%
Asthma9.6%
Arthritis27.8%
Kidney disease2.9%
Pulmonary disease6.6%
Cancer7.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking21.8%
No physical activity20.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.2%
Fair or poor health11.8%
Poor mental health12.0%
Poor physical health10.0%
No health insurance11.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)70.3%
Visited dentist65.7%
Cholesterol screening89.9%
Teeth loss11.1%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans146.8%
Disability%
Any disability8.4%
Under 186.8%
18–64 years2.6%
65 and over25.0%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance53.0%
Public insurance45.0%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only24396.8%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)24698.0%
Born in same state24196.0%
Born in different state12750.6%
Foreign born52.0%
Naturalized citizen52.0%
Not a US citizen5100.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab4718.7%
French4517.9%
Polish135.2%
Italian83.2%
AncestryCount%
English52%
Dutch41.6%
German10.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access31.5%
Internet access81.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for Carter, MT?
Carter, MT has one ZIP code: 59420.
What is the main ZIP code for Carter, MT?
The primary ZIP code for Carter, MT is 59420. The city uses area code 406 for phone service.
What county is Carter, MT in?
Carter is located in Chouteau County, Montana.
How many ZIP codes are in Carter, MT?
Carter, MT has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for Carter, Montana in Chouteau County?
Carter, Montana uses the single ZIP code 59420 for all mail delivery in the city.
If I'm sending a package to a business in downtown Carter, MT, what ZIP code should I use?
You should use ZIP code 59420, as this is the only ZIP code serving Carter and all its downtown and surrounding areas.
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