Based on the historical population data provided for the ZIP code 12981 in Lyon Mountain, New York, the area has consistently maintained a low population density over the past decade. With the most recent data from 2022 indicating a population of 5,777 and a corresponding population density of 46.69 people per square mile, the area can be classified as a remote rural region.

Remote rural areas are characterized by sparse populations, minimal infrastructure, and limited services. The lifestyle in these areas is predominantly agricultural or undeveloped, with a focus on privacy and self-sustainability. Residents in remote rural areas often engage in outdoor and recreational activities, taking advantage of the natural environment surrounding them.

Given the ZIP code's size of 123.74 square miles and the 2022 population, the estimated number of housing units in the area is approximately 2,213, assuming the national average household size of 2.61 persons per household. This low housing density further supports the classification of the area as remote rural, where households typically occupy large expanses of land, often more than 5 acres.