U.S. ZIP Code Database

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What is a ZIP Code Database?

Our ZIP Code Database is a listing of all U.S. ZIP code data put into row and column format for easy use and manipulation. With over 80 unique fields of information and every ZIP code in the United States, it virtually gives you an unlimited number of ways to analyze all the U.S. Census demographic and ZIP Code list information. Our ZIP Code lists are a great tool for marketing, building websites, demographic analysis, store locator, and general analysis.

• Use ZIP Code data for easy lookups and data validation
• Current Population by ZIP Code in our U.S. Business database
• 2010 Census Data included in Deluxe & Business
• All Prices are PER YEAR - Not Monthly/Quarterly
• All purchases come with MONTHLY updates
• Multiple Formats: Access, Excel, CSV, and SQL

Compare ZIP Code Database Versions

Why trust our ZIP Code Database?

A lot of companies make claims that they are the best but we truly feel no other Zip Code provider provides nearly the quality of data and support as we do. We've been in operation since 2003 and have an extensive customer list of fortune 500 companies, individuals and small businesses. We also answer our phones. Seriously, we do not hide. Call us at 1-800-425-1169. ZIP-Codes.com was the first to offer an unconditional money back guarantee because we know our ZIP Code Database quality is superior. We are not just licensees of the USPS, we work directly with them and they license data back from us. We also work directly with other data vendors such as Pitney Bowes. Quality and service are our #1 priorities. But do not just trust us.

Does your ZIP Code Database contain ZCTAs?

No. To explain, you must understand what a ZCTA is. ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are generalized areal representations of United States Postal Service (USPS) ZIP Code service areas. ZIP Codes are not true areas, but rather a collection of mail delivery routes. They exist solely for the expedient delivery of mail and they change as the needs of the USPS change. Most people think of ZIP Codes as a stable geographic area, but they are not. The U.S. Census aggregates data based on defined geographic regions and cannot use true ZIP Codes as a geographic entity. Thus, ZCTAs were created to differentiate between the U.S. Census region and the USPS true ZIP Code area. They are only changed every 10 years (with a new decinnial census release) and diverge fromt he true ZIP Code area over time.

Many companies will use ZCTA data released by the U.S. Census and claim it as the true ZIP Code Area. They will do this and claim "it's close enough for most needs". ZIP-Codes.com takes data quality serious, and "close enough" just is not good enough. We license the true updated ZIP Code data directly from the USPS and always have the true ZIP Code Boundaries as the changes are made. Some data fields, such as Census Population data, are only available at the ZIP Code Tabulation Area, but these will always be clearly labeled as such.

What Formats are your ZIP Code Database in?

The ZIP Code Database comes in 4 different file types, all of which are made available to you immediately after purchase. You can download the ZIP Code Database in Access, Excel, CSV, and SQL for quick and easy importing into anything you need. For SQL, all table creation scripts are already prepared for you. You can download the database in all formats as many times as needed throughout your subscription. Our ZIP Code radius Finder application and indurstry leading technical support as also included at no charge.

We also provide FTP Access (free) in order for you to automate the delivery of the database every month as well as a ZIP Code API (separate license) for programmatic access.

How many types of ZIP Codes are there?

The U.S. Postal Service maintains 4 distinct types of ZIP Codes, known by their Classification Code:

• <BLANK>: General. Used for general mail delivery.
• P: P.O. Box. Used for mail deliveries to contract mail boxes only.
• U: Unique. Used for large volumes of mail. Ex: Bank of America, Berkeley, IRS.
• M: APO/FPO Military. Used for mail to service men and women stationed overseas.

The ZIP Code Database contains a 'Classification Code' column indicating each ZIP Code type by its letter. This allows you to select only the exact ZIP Code types you need or check if a provided ZIP Code has special limitations (most companies cannot ship to Military ZIP Codes).

ZIP Codes are not Geographic Divisions

Most people think of ZIP Codes as the last piece in geographic divisions: Nation > State > County > City > ZIP Code. This is not true. ZIP Codes were created exclusively for the expedient delivery of mail with mail routes designed to best suit the needs of the USPS. ZIP Codes do not always adhere to national or local geographic boundaries and limits.

ZIP Codes are not required to observe City, County, or State boundaries when those boundaries interfere with a mail carriers route. To put it in perspective, imagine being a postal employee placing mail in mailboxes down a long street. It would be highly inconvenient to stop and turn around due to an imaginary line.

ZIP Codes are Not Cities

ZIP Codes have nothing to do with cities. While a ZIP Code has a city name, it is to reference the area it serves. A ZIP Code may also have names for other towns, villages, or well known neighborhoods. For example, ZIP Code 90291 is for Venice, CA. Venice is a residential, commercial, and recreational neighborhood with a statistically significant population of over 28,000 and located within the city limits of Los Angeles, CA. Even the ZIP Code boundary for 90291 does not match the neighborhood boundary for Venice, CA that is generally accepted. It is not possible to compare data for ZIP Code cities with data compiled at the city municipality level, because the boundaries that constrain each are very different.

The map to the left illustrates the disparity between boundaries. Los Angeles City Limits are shown in gray, the Venice Neighborhood Boundary in green outline, and the 90291 ZIP Code Boundary in red.

ZIP Codes that exist outside of city limits will likely have a city name of the larger area that it serves. Towns, Villages, and other well known places might be placed in the City Alias column for identification. Each record has a "MailingName" column that indicates if this name is acceptable for mailing purposes.

Do ZIP Codes Cross County Lines?

Yes. In fact, over 20% of all ZIP Codes cross county boundaries. Our ZIP Code Database indicates this with the 'Multi County' column. Any ZIP Code marked with a Y value indicates that it covers more than one county. The Business version offers a separate table detailing all counties a ZIP Code covers. The 'primary' county assigned to each ZIP Code is usually based on the part that receives the highest volume of mail. ZIP Codes cross state lines as well if needed, but this is much rarer. As with cities, you cannot compare data for ZIP Codes in a County with County data because the boundaries for each do not match.

References

1. U.S. Postal Service [Last Updated: 8/1/2021], https://www.usps.com
2. ZIP-Codes.com Internal Data Creation [Last Updated: 8/1/2021], https://www.zip-codes.com
3. U.S. Geological Survey [Updated as needed], https://www.usgs.gov/
4. U.S. Census American National Standards Institute (ANSI) [Last Updated: 8/1/2021], https://www.census.gov
5. U.S. Census 2010 [Decennial] [Last Updated: 1/1/2010], https://www.census.gov
6. U.S. Census [Updated Yearly], https://www.census.gov
7. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Updated Yearly], https://www.cms.gov/