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Mapping Software and GIS Glossary

DEFINITION

What is a ZIP Code?

A ZIP Code is a five digit numeric code that identifies a collection of mailing addresses within the United States and its territories to simplify the distribution of mail by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

A ZIP Code is a delivery sort sequence and the USPS does not associate an area with each ZIP Code. Said another way, ZIP Codes are lists of addresses for delivering the mail. They are not areas. However, many ZIP Codes have delivery areas, and some ZIP Codes are for buildings or campuses that have defined borders. Boundaries can also be created by grouping small areas (defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for their nationwide street map) based on the dominant ZIP Code of the addresses in each small area, but this is an approximation because carrier routes may overlap and portions of the country have no deliverable addresses. The ZIP Code areas often do not adhere to boundaries of cities, towns, counties, or states.

Every ZIP Code can be shown as a point. The point is at the post office for the ZIP Code, if there is one, or, if the ZIP Code can be shown as an area, at a central location within the ZIP Code area.

Mapping Software for ZIP Codes

Though the ZIP Code areas are approximations, Maptitude Mapping Software includes the most accurate ZIP Codes on the market. Included with Maptitude, and available for use in other applications, are:

Maptitude gives you all of the tools, maps, and data you need to analyze and understand how geography affects you and your business. With Maptitude you can locate unlimited records by ZIP Code, map your data aggregated by ZIP Code, build sales territory maps from ZIP Codes, and analyze Census demographic data by ZIP Code.

What is a ZIP Code: Aggregate data by ZIP Code to see patterns in your data

Maptitude will aggregate your sales data by ZIP Code so you can better understand the geographic component of your data

ZIP Code definition: See demographic data by ZIP Code

The Maptitude U.S. Country Package includes extensive demographic data at the ZIP Code level so you can better understand your market.

Try an interactive ZIP Code map now!

  • Use the Info Info Tool tool to click to see population, age, and income for any postal area in the USA.
  • Click SearchSearch to find a city name or address and then use the Info Info Tool tool to look up the ZIP Code for that address or city

To save your ZIP Code map, add your own markers/locations in bulk, and much more, try the full-featured version of Maptitude with a 1-month risk-free trial. No credit card is required

Get access to ZIP Code territory tools, ZIP Code heat maps, and many more advanced features by signing up for a free trial today!

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