ZIPCodes

ZIP Code is a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The acronym ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan. The system was introduced on July 1, 1963, as a way to improve the efficiency of mail sorting and delivery.

The standard ZIP Code is a five-digit number. The first digit represents a broad geographic area of the United States. The next two digits represent a sectional center facility, which is a sortation hub within that area. The last two digits represent a local delivery area. For example, a ZIP Code like 10001 represents a specific delivery route within New York City.

In 1983, the USPS introduced a more complex version of the ZIP Code, known as ZIP+4. This system adds a hyphen and four additional digits to the end of the original five-digit code. The ZIP+4 code is used to identify a more specific delivery location, such as a particular street address or a large building. This helps further streamline mail processing.

ZIP Codes are assigned to all addresses in the United States, including post office boxes and rural routes. They are used by businesses for direct mail marketing, by government agencies for statistical purposes, and by individuals for sending and receiving mail. The USPS regularly updates its ZIP Code database to reflect changes in population and delivery routes.