Fort Benton ZIP Code List — Chouteau County, MT

There is one unique ZIP code in Fort Benton, Montana and it is 59442. Area code: 406.

ZIP codes

790.29

sq mi land

9.78

sq mi water

406

area code

Fort Benton, MT ZIP code map

About Fort Benton, MT

Fort Benton is a charming city located in Chouteau County, Montana. Known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, it serves as a gateway to various outdoor adventures in the surrounding area. The community prides itself on its heritage as one of the oldest settlements in Montana, offering a unique blend of services and attractions for both residents and visitors.

Location & geography

Situated in north-central Montana, Fort Benton lies along the banks of the Missouri River. It is roughly 30 miles southwest of Havre and 90 miles northeast of Great Falls, providing convenient access to larger urban centers. The city encompasses a land area of 790.29 square miles, with an additional 9.78 square miles of water, offering a mix of terrain that includes plains and scenic riverfront views.

Community & economy

The character of Fort Benton is deeply rooted in its history as a pivotal trading post during the westward expansion. The local economy is supported by agriculture, tourism, and small businesses, which contribute to a close-knit community atmosphere. Daily life in Fort Benton features various events and activities that celebrate its history, such as the annual Fort Benton River and Plains Days, showcasing local culture and community spirit.

Transportation

Fort Benton is accessible via U.S. Highway 87, which runs north to south and connects to other major roads in the region. The nearest airport is the Great Falls International Airport, located approximately 90 miles to the south, providing regional flight options. Local transit options are limited, but the city’s walkable layout makes it easy to navigate on foot.

History

Fort Benton was founded in 1846 as a fur trading post and became a key supply point for gold miners and settlers. Throughout its history, the city has been central to trade and transportation, especially during the steamboat era along the Missouri River. Notable events include the opening of the historic Fort Benton Museum, which preserves the rich history of the city and its significance in the development of the American West.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Fort Benton is that it was the first city in Montana to be designated as a registered National Historic Landmark. Additionally, it is known for having the longest continuous levee system in the United States, built to protect it from seasonal flooding.

ZIP codes for Fort Benton, MT (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
59442	Fort Benton	Chouteau	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,846

Population

37.2

Median age

$68,194

Median household income

$30,341

Per capita income

$185,900

Median home value

$613

Median monthly rent

78.6%

Home ownership

7.3%

Poverty rate

5.7%

Unemployment

766

Housing units

30.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

108

25–34

111

128

35–44

132

45–54

55–59

60–64

113

65–74

117

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	502	27.2%
18 and over	1,344	72.8%
65 and over	450	24.4%
Median age	37.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.7%

Two or more races 5.3%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.7%

Asian 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	1,728	92.7%
Two or more races	99	5.3%
Hispanic or Latino	18	1%
American Indian / Alaska Native	13	0.7%
Asian	6	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 1.6%

$10k–$15k 6.9%

$15k–$25k 10.3%

$25k–$35k 6.6%

$35k–$50k 14.4%

$50k–$75k 15.7%

$75k–$100k 19.4%

$100k–$150k 17.7%

$150k–$200k 4.0%

$200k+ 3.5%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.6%
$10k–$15k	6.9%
$15k–$25k	10.3%
$25k–$35k	6.6%
$35k–$50k	14.4%
$50k–$75k	15.7%
$75k–$100k	19.4%
$100k–$150k	17.7%
$150k–$200k	4.0%
$200k+	3.5%
Median income	$68,194

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.3%

$50k–$100k 8.8%

$100k–$150k 8.8%

$150k–$200k 35.3%

$200k–$300k 26.3%

$300k–$500k 9.1%

$500k–$1M 3.2%

$1M+ 1.3%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$185,900
Median rent / month	$613
Owner occupied	78.6%
Renter occupied	21.4%
Vacant	25.2%
Single-family detached	73.6%
Large apartment buildings	2.7%
Mobile homes	12.3%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.83

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	4.8%
2000–2009	5.2%
1990–1999	6.5%
1980–1989	9.3%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	7.3%
1950–1959	18.3%
1940–1949	5.3%
1939 or earlier	29.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	5.2%
1 bedroom	7.3%
2 bedrooms	25.4%
3 bedrooms	38.0%
4 bedrooms	16.6%
5+ bedrooms	7.5%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.2%
1 vehicle	21.7%
2 vehicles	49.0%
3 or more	27.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	65.7%
Electricity	13.9%
Propane / LP gas	13.6%
Fuel oil	1.6%
Wood	4.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	328	48.1%
Cohabiting couple	7	1.0%
Male householder, no spouse	189	27.7%
Female householder, no spouse	158	23.2%
Households with children under 18	203	29.8%
Households with seniors (65+)	296	43.4%
Average household size	2.64

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	33.6%	32.4%
Married	47.6%	45.3%
Separated	3.3%	0.8%
Widowed	9.6%	16.7%
Divorced	6.0%	4.8%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.5%

Some HS, no diploma 1.6%

HS graduate 38.9%

Some college, no degree 19.7%

Associate's degree 7.7%

Bachelor's degree 21.0%

Graduate / professional 9.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.9%
Bachelor's or higher	30.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	35	9.5%
Kindergarten	54	14.7%
Elementary school	180	49.0%
High school	93	25.3%
College / grad school	5	1.4%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 28.8%

Agriculture & mining 19.4%

Construction 8.8%

Public administration 7.8%

Professional & management 6.8%

Wholesale trade 5.4%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.2%

Retail trade 5.0%

Manufacturing 3.6%

Other services 3.4%

Finance & real estate 2.6%

Transportation & utilities 1.9%

Information 1.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	40.2%
Service	26.2%
Sales & office	14.2%
Natural resources & construction	10.3%
Production & transportation	9.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	71.8%
Government	18.0%
Self-employed	10.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	72.4%
Carpool	12.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	10.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	16.8

Poverty

All people 7.3%

Under 18 years 4.1%

18 and over 8.6%

Married-couple families 2.7%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	42.1%
Retirement income	31.5%
Supplemental Security	0.9%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.5%
High cholesterol	34.0%
Heart disease	8.3%
Stroke	3.7%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	32.0%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	9.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	22.4%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	29.5%
Fair or poor health	13.4%
Poor mental health	11.7%
Poor physical health	11.2%
No health insurance	10.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.0%
Visited dentist	65.3%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	12.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	100	7.5%

Disability	%
Any disability	10.7%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	6.8%
65 and over	31.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	62.5%
Public insurance	46.4%
Uninsured under 19	1.6%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,699	92.0%
Spanish	6	0.4%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	6	0.4%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,834	99.3%
Born in same state	1,809	98.0%
Born in different state	1,073	58.1%
Foreign born	25	1.4%
Naturalized citizen	12	0.7%
Not a US citizen	6	50.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	362	19.6%
Italian	319	17.3%
French	309	16.7%
Polish	111	6%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	24	1.3%
English	10	0.5%
German	4	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	36.9%
Internet access	85.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What is the ZIP code for Fort Benton, MT?

Fort Benton, MT has one ZIP code: 59442.

What is the main ZIP code for Fort Benton, MT?

The primary ZIP code for Fort Benton, MT is 59442. The city uses area code 406 for phone service.

What county is Fort Benton, MT in?

Fort Benton is located in Chouteau County, Montana.

How many ZIP codes are in Fort Benton, MT?

Fort Benton, MT has 1 ZIP code.

What ZIP code should I use for mailing packages to businesses in downtown Fort Benton along Main Street?

All addresses in downtown Fort Benton, including those along Main Street, use the ZIP code 59442.

What is the ZIP code for the Fort Benton riverfront area near the Missouri River?

The Fort Benton riverfront area and all other locations within the city use ZIP code 59442, as it is the only ZIP code serving the city.