How Zip Codes Are Assigned and What They Mean
Zip codes are a seemingly simple part of our addresses, but they carry significant meaning. Have you ever wondered how they’re assigned and what they reveal about a location? Understanding zip codes opens up a fascinating world of geographic organization, especially for businesses using data-driven insights. What Is a Zip Code, and Why Was It Created? Zip codes, short for "Zone Improvement Plan" codes, were introduced in 1963 by the U.S. Postal Service. They were designed to make mail delivery faster and more efficient by organizing regions into specific delivery zones. Each number within a zip code represents a layer of detail about a location, allowing the postal service to route mail more accurately. But zip codes have grown far beyond mail—they’re now essential in location-based services, marketing, and logistics, helping businesses understand regional demographics. How Are Zip Codes Assigned? Zip codes are structured in a five-digit format: each digit has a specif...