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How are zip codes aggregated with census data?
The census aggregates data at “block group” levels and “census tract” levels, and then at other larger units including counties and states. For many years we cobbled together our own mapping of zip codes to census tracts for local geographic analyses. Then we discovered this: the HUD USPS ZIP Code Crosswalk Files.
What do you need to know about ZIP codes?
The USPS ZIP Codes identify the individual post office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with mailing addresses. USPS ZIP Codes are not areal features but a collection of mail delivery routes. The term ZCTA was created to differentiate between this entity and true USPS ZIP Codes.
What’s the difference between a ZIP code and a ZCTA?
The term ZCTA was created to differentiate between this entity and true USPS ZIP Codes. ZCTA is a trademark of the U.S. Census Bureau; ZIP Code is a trademark of the U.S. Postal Service. The Census Bureau first examined all of the addresses within each census block to define the list of ZIP Codes by block.
How are zip codes tabulated in the USPS?
ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are generalized areal representations of United States Postal Service (USPS) ZIP Code service areas. The USPS ZIP Codes identify the individual post office or metropolitan area delivery station associated with mailing addresses. USPS ZIP Codes are not areal features but a collection of mail delivery routes.
How to find census block codes by state?
Below are links to lists of the 15-digit census block FIPS codes for each U.S. state/territory in two formats: (1) a CSV file listing all of the census blocks in a state, or (2) an Excel file with a worksheet for each county in the state that lists the census blocks in that county. The block codes are based on the 2010 Census.
How are block groups related to zip code areas?
While block groups nest within census tracts from both a geometric and geocode hierarchy perspective, the relationship between block groups and ZIP code areas is far less clear. Analysts are often interested in relating block group geography and demographics with ZIP code areas.
How are zip codes assigned to an area?
The Census Bureau assigned blocks that contained addresses, but did not have a single most frequently occurring ZIP Code to the ZCTA with which the blocks had the longest shared boundary. If the area of an unassigned enclave was less than two square miles, it was assigned to the surrounding ZCTA.