Zip codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to identify specific geographic regions for the purpose of sorting and delivering mail. Introduced in 1963, the term “ZIP” stands for “Zone Improvement Plan.” A standard ZIP code consists of five digits, with the first digit representing a group of U.S. states, the second and third digits representing a region in that state, and the last two digits identifying a specific post office or delivery area within that region. An extended version, known as ZIP+4, includes four additional digits for more precise addressing, which helps improve the efficiency of mail delivery. Zip codes can also be used for various purposes beyond postal services, such as demographic analysis, service availability, and geographic targeting in business applications.
Zip Codes, introduced in 1963, revolutionized mail delivery and logistical efficiency in the United States. Each digit in a Zip Code has a purpose, from identifying broad regions to pinpointing…