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Population Review

How many ZIP codes are in the US?

The USPS administers approximately 42,000 ZIP codes. The Census Bureau publishes ACS data for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), which approximate USPS ZIP boundaries; we cover roughly 32,000 ZCTAs with population data.

Context

ZIP codes were introduced by the USPS in 1963 to speed mail sorting. They are administrative boundaries, not statistical units, and don't always align with cities, counties, or states.

Explore Further

All ZIP Codes

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Frequently Asked Questions

The USPS administers approximately 42,000 ZIP codes. The Census Bureau publishes ACS data for ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs), which approximate USPS ZIP boundaries; we cover roughly 32,000 ZCTAs with population data.