How Are ZIP Code Map Boundaries Defined?
Those of us who make maps, and companies that use those maps, often forget ZIP Codes are not really boundaries at all. There are many ways to simplify the definition but let’s go with this: ZIP Codes are the 5-digit codes the US Postal Service assigns to every address to help make mail delivery more efficient. In reality, “ZIP Codes” are simply collections of addresses that have the same 5-digit code. They usually don’t follow legal town/city boundaries and usually don’t follow the set of geography defined by the census bureau.
The USPS doesn’t produce maps for the public, in fact they send postal customers looking for these maps to Maponics. So how can Maponics make maps that show ZIP Code boundaries?
By grouping together all of the addresses with the same 5-digit code, you can probably start seeing how a boundary could be formed. But that’s easier to envision than it is to do accurately. The first step is to assign each
deliverable address to a latitude and longitude point on the earth using a GIS mapping system.
That’s typically done by taking a street network, and assigning an address range to each segment of each street. Those street segments that have the same ZIP Code are then “collapsed” to form contiguous boundaries. But where does the original street network data come from?
Some companies use generic street data when generating ZIP Code boundaries, and only update their street data once a year or less. Maponics works with the premier map data compiler in the world, using the latest street data
and monthly updates from the US Postal Service to generate new ZIP Code map boundaries. Want to learn more about Maponics’ ZIP Code GIS Map Data? Call us at 800-762-5158 for an evaluation of your business’ needs and information on how our services can help
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