Americans typically identify with their state or home town. What about your zip code? Within the 40,000-odd zip codes in America are little nuggets of information that can make the difference between a place that’s thriving and one that’s struggling.
So we used Saturday Night Science to rank every zip code in America with at least 1,000 people — more than 22,000 of them — on jobs, incomes, home values, education, commutes, and density. Then we flipped the list.
The worst zip code in America for 2026 is 86535 – Dennehotso, AZ. Like the last time we ran these numbers, the bottom of the list is dominated by rural communities on the Navajo Nation in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, where jobs are scarce, incomes are low, and the nearest job can be an hour’s drive away.
These rankings measure economics, not people or culture. Many of these communities have been dealt a rough hand for a very long time, and the numbers show it.
Dennehotso is a small Navajo Nation community in far northeastern Arizona, near the Utah line. More than one in five workers is unemployed, the median household earns $31,250, and the median home is worth about $50,000. The average commute is almost 50 minutes each way, because the nearest jobs are a long way off.
Sanostee sits on the New Mexico side of the Navajo Nation, southwest of Shiprock. Only 1.6% of adults have a college degree, 42% of residents live below the poverty line, and the median home is worth just $31,200. The typical commute takes 55 minutes.
Indian Wells was on our worst list last time, too. It has the second-longest commute in the top ten at nearly 58 minutes, and 45% of residents live in poverty. The median household earns $32,500.
Nazlini, a chapter community near Ganado, has the highest poverty rate in the bottom ten: 51% of residents live below the poverty line. The median household earns $24,271, and the median home is worth $30,500.
Yes, that Monument Valley — the sandstone buttes you’ve seen in a hundred Westerns. The scenery is world-class, but the economy is rough. 22% of workers are unemployed, only 5.6% of adults have a college degree, and the median household earns $35,250.
Red Valley, near the New Mexico line, has the longest commute of any zip code in the bottom ten: 61 minutes on average. The median household earns $23,068, the second-lowest income in the bottom ten.
Tonalea, northeast of Tuba City, has the highest unemployment rate in the bottom ten at 31.8%. About 42% of residents live in poverty, and the median home is worth $60,800.
Shonto is near Navajo National Monument in northern Arizona. The median household earns $24,063, unemployment is 14.3%, and just 4.8% of adults have a college degree.
The village of Cuba only has a few hundred residents, but the 87013 zip code covers a big rural stretch of Sandoval County with more than 5,000 people. It’s the only zip code in the bottom ten with more than 3,000 people. Unemployment is 18.5%, and the average commute is 51 minutes.
Nageezi, near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, rounds out the bottom ten. Only 0.3% of adults here have a college degree, and the median household earns $19,044 — the lowest income of any zip code on this list.
The receipts
Compare the top ten
Pick a metric. The bars rescale. The red line is the United States’s statewide median.
the United States statewide median: $80,734
the United States statewide median: $332,700
the United States statewide median: 5.2%
On the map
Where the worst zip codes in America are
Saturday Night Science
Methodology: How We Determined The Worst Zip Codes In America
In order to rank the worst zip codes in the United States, we had to decide what people like about a place. It isn’t a stretch to assume people like good jobs, solid incomes, homes that hold their value, an educated neighborhood, and a short drive to work.
We pulled the 2020-2024 American Community Survey for every ZIP Code Tabulation Area in the country — the Census Bureau’s version of a zip code — and ran it through Saturday Night Science using these six criteria:
- Population density (more is better)
- Share of adults with a college degree
- Unemployment rate
- Median household income
- Average commute time
- Median home value
We only looked at zip codes with at least 1,000 residents, which left 22,318 zip codes. Each zip code got ranked from 1 to 22,318 on every criterion, we averaged those six rankings, and the zip code with the worst (highest) average earned the title of “Worst Zip Code In America”.
A word of caution: zip codes are small, and the Census estimates for a few thousand people come with bigger margins of error than a whole city’s. A zip code with 2,000 residents can swing a lot from one survey to the next.
We updated this report for 2026. This report is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment — don’t freak out.
The full list
The 100 Worst Zip Codes To Live In America
Click any column to sort. Search by zip code or town.
| Rank | Zip Code | Population | College Educated | Unemployment | Median Income | Home Value | Commute (Min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 86535 – Dennehotso, AZ | 1,183 | 5.6% | 22.3% | $31,250 | $50,300 | 49.6 |
| 2 | 87461 – Sanostee, NM | 1,307 | 1.6% | 15.6% | $32,981 | $31,200 | 55.0 |
| 3 | 86031 – Indian Wells, AZ | 1,818 | 2.6% | 14.3% | $32,500 | $80,300 | 57.8 |
| 4 | 86540 – Nazlini, AZ | 1,220 | 5.7% | 17.8% | $24,271 | $30,500 | 40.8 |
| 5 | 84536 – Monument Valley, UT | 1,387 | 5.6% | 22.4% | $35,250 | $49,600 | 40.2 |
| 6 | 86544 – Red Valley, AZ | 1,472 | 4.2% | 11.1% | $23,068 | $47,000 | 61.0 |
| 7 | 86044 – Tonalea, AZ | 2,921 | 5.3% | 31.8% | $33,167 | $60,800 | 38.0 |
| 8 | 86054 – Shonto, AZ | 1,467 | 4.8% | 14.3% | $24,063 | $77,800 | 40.5 |
| 9 | 87013 – Cuba, NM | 5,251 | 9.5% | 18.5% | $32,942 | $75,400 | 50.7 |
| 10 | 87037 – Nageezi, NM | 1,481 | 0.3% | 10.2% | $19,044 | $78,000 | 51.2 |
| 11 | 87364 – Sheep Springs, NM | 1,632 | 6.6% | 16.1% | $32,500 | $81,700 | 46.3 |
| 12 | 86053 – Kaibeto, AZ | 2,170 | 5.3% | 18.6% | $40,956 | $52,300 | 38.8 |
| 13 | 86520 – Blue Gap, AZ | 2,293 | 5.8% | 36.4% | $15,417 | $55,800 | 35.8 |
| 14 | 86035 – Leupp, AZ | 1,612 | 10.0% | 21.6% | $45,750 | $62,400 | 53.3 |
| 15 | 39669 – Woodville, MS | 3,929 | 7.7% | 17.3% | $27,364 | $89,900 | 39.8 |
| 16 | 87045 – Prewitt, NM | 2,608 | 2.6% | 18.4% | $19,270 | $75,600 | 39.3 |
| 17 | 85530 – Bylas, AZ | 1,967 | 2.9% | 27.2% | $38,750 | $23,200 | 35.0 |
| 18 | 86510 – Pinon, AZ | 4,074 | 8.8% | 21.2% | $29,211 | $80,600 | 36.2 |
| 19 | 87325 – Tohatchi, NM | 2,178 | 8.5% | 10.8% | $36,800 | $71,000 | 40.3 |
| 20 | 86020 – Cameron, AZ | 1,890 | 6.9% | 13.6% | $35,909 | $51,500 | 34.6 |
| 21 | 39456 – Mc Lain, MS | 1,027 | 4.2% | 22.9% | $41,818 | $83,400 | 37.3 |
| 22 | 86507 – Lukachukai, AZ | 2,207 | 11.9% | 21.2% | $35,924 | $50,000 | 39.2 |
| 23 | 24237 – Dante, VA | 1,064 | 6.2% | 12.4% | $33,095 | $86,500 | 49.9 |
| 24 | 87455 – Newcomb, NM | 1,480 | 12.1% | 10.0% | $38,167 | $22,500 | 49.5 |
| 25 | 85542 – Peridot, AZ | 2,885 | 5.9% | 31.3% | $29,022 | $31,900 | 33.4 |
| 26 | 39146 – Pickens, MS | 2,614 | 11.4% | 20.1% | $31,436 | $61,500 | 43.4 |
| 27 | 86514 – Teec Nos Pos, AZ | 2,519 | 9.5% | 33.9% | $47,917 | $73,300 | 37.3 |
| 28 | 84534 – Montezuma Creek, UT | 2,473 | 9.1% | 22.2% | $47,708 | $62,000 | 36.8 |
| 29 | 72482 – Williford, AR | 1,226 | 6.6% | 23.7% | $35,855 | $72,000 | 35.4 |
| 30 | 71375 – Waterproof, LA | 1,108 | 12.9% | 9.9% | $24,231 | $59,200 | 42.1 |
| 31 | 71726 – Chidester, AR | 1,108 | 12.7% | 11.0% | $31,328 | $68,500 | 37.8 |
| 32 | 38948 – Oakland, MS | 1,818 | 10.4% | 21.1% | $29,400 | $86,200 | 36.9 |
| 33 | 85911 – Cibecue, AZ | 2,273 | 1.8% | 12.9% | $25,510 | $101,800 | 33.5 |
| 34 | 78872 – La Pryor, TX | 1,287 | 13.8% | 11.6% | $39,659 | $78,500 | 43.0 |
| 35 | 75966 – Newton, TX | 4,994 | 7.7% | 13.7% | $40,087 | $102,900 | 39.8 |
| 36 | 87326 – Vanderwagen, NM | 2,489 | 9.1% | 8.0% | $34,773 | $62,300 | 38.2 |
| 37 | 86444 – Meadview, AZ | 1,528 | 11.8% | 22.0% | $26,678 | $76,000 | 32.2 |
| 38 | 36053 – Midway, AL | 2,403 | 8.9% | 11.8% | $49,357 | $104,200 | 42.6 |
| 39 | 39483 – Foxworth, MS | 5,120 | 8.6% | 17.7% | $36,992 | $80,600 | 47.0 |
| 40 | 70441 – Greensburg, LA | 5,685 | 6.8% | 14.6% | $39,438 | $68,900 | 37.2 |
| 41 | 71046 – Keatchie, LA | 1,033 | 10.6% | 16.4% | $52,679 | $84,000 | 51.7 |
| 42 | 39045 – Camden, MS | 1,013 | 14.8% | 35.9% | $39,021 | $98,500 | 43.5 |
| 43 | 72459 – Ravenden, AR | 1,348 | 5.6% | 9.5% | $39,167 | $64,000 | 33.9 |
| 44 | 36759 – Marion Junction, AL | 1,166 | 17.8% | 18.1% | $30,441 | $61,200 | 42.7 |
| 45 | 42259 – Mammoth Cave, KY | 1,090 | 5.0% | 12.7% | $33,566 | $148,100 | 45.4 |
| 46 | 29468 – Pineville, SC | 2,144 | 6.1% | 11.2% | $27,032 | $98,900 | 40.6 |
| 47 | 42634 – Parkers Lake, KY | 1,646 | 7.4% | 7.4% | $31,250 | $68,900 | 42.3 |
| 48 | 29481 – Smoaks, SC | 1,759 | 11.1% | 15.3% | $46,719 | $88,900 | 43.5 |
| 49 | 32336 – Lamont, FL | 1,414 | 5.0% | 8.4% | $45,481 | $109,200 | 39.8 |
| 50 | 31060 – Milan, GA | 1,988 | 10.9% | 19.9% | $49,643 | $80,700 | 47.2 |
| 51 | 87357 – Pinehill, NM | 1,818 | 12.5% | 31.6% | $30,750 | $85,000 | 32.1 |
| 52 | 38039 – Grand Junction, TN | 1,305 | 7.8% | 9.0% | $39,020 | $111,900 | 52.7 |
| 53 | 36769 – Pine Hill, AL | 2,071 | 10.9% | 13.6% | $36,884 | $73,600 | 33.1 |
| 54 | 86511 – Saint Michaels, AZ | 3,583 | 12.6% | 10.2% | $41,000 | $45,300 | 35.3 |
| 55 | 87305 – Gallup, NM | 1,952 | 5.5% | 15.0% | $45,096 | $57,300 | 32.4 |
| 56 | 26448 – Wallace, WV | 1,005 | 5.3% | 8.1% | $32,955 | $77,800 | 39.0 |
| 57 | 26261 – Richwood, WV | 2,760 | 15.6% | 13.0% | $33,750 | $74,700 | 39.8 |
| 58 | 74740 – Haworth, OK | 1,959 | 14.1% | 13.5% | $41,141 | $99,700 | 36.5 |
| 59 | 75980 – Zavalla, TX | 2,539 | 11.8% | 14.3% | $45,439 | $94,500 | 36.5 |
| 60 | 39631 – Centreville, MS | 4,524 | 9.2% | 10.6% | $36,790 | $69,300 | 36.7 |
| 61 | 87311 – Church Rock, NM | 4,659 | 9.3% | 11.9% | $33,641 | $48,400 | 33.0 |
| 62 | 39638 – Gloster, MS | 3,259 | 12.7% | 9.8% | $37,185 | $95,400 | 40.4 |
| 63 | 39362 – State Line, MS | 3,311 | 7.7% | 26.9% | $40,417 | $90,100 | 31.9 |
| 64 | 76834 – Coleman, TX | 4,981 | 13.4% | 10.1% | $46,120 | $89,900 | 40.7 |
| 65 | 31058 – Mauk, GA | 1,929 | 11.7% | 8.4% | $40,655 | $85,200 | 42.5 |
| 66 | 70542 – Gueydan, LA | 3,186 | 11.0% | 11.6% | $41,971 | $93,500 | 34.8 |
| 67 | 85618 – Mammoth, AZ | 1,550 | 6.8% | 24.0% | $51,953 | $102,500 | 32.8 |
| 68 | 39478 – Sandy Hook, MS | 2,043 | 8.9% | 12.6% | $47,686 | $102,300 | 43.3 |
| 69 | 24620 – Hurley, VA | 2,270 | 4.9% | 8.8% | $30,129 | $69,000 | 35.9 |
| 70 | 38963 – Tutwiler, MS | 2,882 | 12.5% | 12.9% | $45,128 | $68,900 | 34.4 |
| 71 | 36524 – Coffeeville, AL | 1,088 | 10.0% | 17.6% | $45,962 | $85,600 | 31.1 |
| 72 | 87016 – Estancia, NM | 2,421 | 10.9% | 24.7% | $55,296 | $122,100 | 39.2 |
| 73 | 71369 – Simmesport, LA | 2,518 | 4.9% | 13.2% | $36,856 | $107,600 | 38.9 |
| 74 | 36343 – Gordon, AL | 1,496 | 6.7% | 16.0% | $47,188 | $98,900 | 32.3 |
| 75 | 88029 – Columbus, NM | 1,198 | 8.2% | 6.3% | $26,090 | $105,600 | 37.6 |
| 76 | 63071 – Richwoods, MO | 1,113 | 5.7% | 18.8% | $44,853 | $122,900 | 37.7 |
| 77 | 36786 – Uniontown, AL | 2,216 | 15.1% | 35.8% | $33,375 | $70,800 | 33.0 |
| 78 | 24565 – Java, VA | 1,098 | 9.2% | 12.6% | $41,683 | $148,800 | 39.4 |
| 79 | 24817 – Bradshaw, WV | 1,931 | 4.3% | 26.5% | $25,363 | $50,800 | 40.9 |
| 80 | 27874 – Scotland Neck, NC | 3,464 | 15.1% | 11.3% | $33,250 | $74,800 | 38.8 |
| 81 | 78881 – Sabinal, TX | 1,283 | 14.6% | 7.9% | $35,104 | $69,800 | 34.6 |
| 82 | 87420 – Shiprock, NM | 10,586 | 10.2% | 15.5% | $36,335 | $103,900 | 32.0 |
| 83 | 41314 – Booneville, KY | 4,049 | 10.0% | 11.2% | $25,911 | $98,500 | 32.5 |
| 84 | 71357 – Newellton, LA | 1,458 | 13.5% | 7.3% | $28,750 | $81,600 | 34.4 |
| 85 | 39169 – Tchula, MS | 2,565 | 17.8% | 20.0% | $36,231 | $48,200 | 38.5 |
| 86 | 41141 – Garrison, KY | 2,438 | 12.5% | 10.7% | $36,508 | $87,500 | 41.0 |
| 87 | 29546 – Gresham, SC | 2,683 | 10.4% | 7.9% | $32,043 | $97,100 | 34.8 |
| 88 | 40145 – Hudson, KY | 1,175 | 1.0% | 6.4% | $34,237 | $78,400 | 48.5 |
| 89 | 37847 – Pioneer, TN | 2,513 | 11.2% | 7.4% | $35,066 | $115,500 | 41.3 |
| 90 | 86506 – Houck, AZ | 1,218 | 6.5% | 5.4% | $31,563 | $48,400 | 35.8 |
| 91 | 29015 – Blair, SC | 1,255 | 10.7% | 13.0% | $43,977 | $106,600 | 31.7 |
| 92 | 36032 – Fort Deposit, AL | 2,444 | 15.3% | 12.4% | $35,256 | $77,800 | 34.9 |
| 93 | 86538 – Many Farms, AZ | 1,714 | 14.4% | 15.9% | $30,268 | $45,600 | 30.8 |
| 94 | 40935 – Flat Lick, KY | 1,748 | 10.3% | 30.6% | $23,157 | $41,700 | 30.7 |
| 95 | 71071 – Sarepta, LA | 2,159 | 9.0% | 11.5% | $36,900 | $100,600 | 36.7 |
| 96 | 36046 – Lapine, AL | 1,371 | 8.4% | 8.9% | $41,974 | $103,400 | 34.3 |
| 97 | 71068 – Ringgold, LA | 3,482 | 9.2% | 7.5% | $33,125 | $118,500 | 40.2 |
| 98 | 87328 – Navajo, NM | 3,043 | 12.1% | 17.3% | $33,906 | $65,000 | 28.9 |
| 99 | 41301 – Campton, KY | 5,953 | 8.4% | 10.7% | $33,984 | $82,100 | 31.8 |
| 100 | 16720 – Austin, PA | 1,261 | 9.7% | 8.3% | $49,479 | $99,900 | 33.0 |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024 (ZCTA level) and the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Zip codes with 1,000+ residents. The Census top-codes median incomes at $250,000 and home values at $2,000,000.
Summary
Summary: The Worst Zip Codes In The United States
If you’re analyzing zip codes with the toughest economic situations — few jobs, low incomes, cheap homes, and long drives to work — this is an accurate list.
The worst zip codes in the United States for 2026 are 86535 – Dennehotso, AZ, 87461 – Sanostee, NM, 86031 – Indian Wells, AZ, 86540 – Nazlini, AZ, 84536 – Monument Valley, UT, 86544 – Red Valley, AZ, 86044 – Tonalea, AZ, 86054 – Shonto, AZ, 87013 – Cuba, NM, and 87037 – Nageezi, NM.
Rural Arizona and New Mexico dominate the bottom of the list, just like they did the last time we ran the numbers. Distance is a big part of the story: when the closest job is 45 minutes away, everything else gets harder.
Questions and answers
Worst Zip Codes In America FAQs
What is the worst zip code in America?
86535 – Dennehotso, AZ is the worst zip code in America for 2026, according to Saturday Night Science. 87461 – Sanostee and 86031 – Indian Wells are next.
What are the 10 worst zip codes in the US?
The ten worst zip codes in the United States for 2026 are 86535 – Dennehotso, AZ, 87461 – Sanostee, NM, 86031 – Indian Wells, AZ, 86540 – Nazlini, AZ, 84536 – Monument Valley, UT, 86544 – Red Valley, AZ, 86044 – Tonalea, AZ, 86054 – Shonto, AZ, 87013 – Cuba, NM, and 87037 – Nageezi, NM.
How did you rank zip codes?
We ranked 22,318 zip codes with at least 1,000 residents on population density, college degrees, unemployment, median household income, commute time, and median home value from the Census’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, then averaged the six rankings.
What is the best zip code in America?
37219 – Nashville, TN tops the other end of the ranking. See our best zip codes in America article for the full breakdown.
