According to the historical population data for the ZIP code 96126 in Sierraville, California, the area has experienced fluctuations in population and population density over the past decade. The population reached a peak of 920 in 2011 but has since declined to 710 in 2022, with a corresponding population density of 2.73 people per square mile.

Given the low population density and the ZIP code's size of 259.71 square miles, the area can be classified as remote rural. This classification is characterized by very sparse populations, minimal infrastructure, and limited services. The lifestyle in such areas is predominantly agricultural or undeveloped, with a focus on privacy and self-sustainability. Residents often engage in outdoor and recreational activities due to the natural environment and the large expanses of land per household, typically more than 5 acres.

The estimated number of housing units corresponding to the 2022 population is approximately 272, based on the national average household size of 2.61. This low number of housing units spread across the vast area further reinforces the remote rural nature of the ZIP code.