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ZIP Codes versus ZCTAs First introduced in 1963, ZIP Code is a trademark of the USPS created to coordinate mail handling and delivery. The USPS assigns ZIP Code ranges to regional post offices, which in turn assign ZIP Codes to delivery routes. Each delivery route is composed of street networks, and/or individual units with high mail volumes, such as high-rise buildings or individual business locations. Within the Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER System, ZIP Codes are stored as one component of discrete addresses tied to delivery points, including specific housing unit locations. The result is a point-based dataset unsuitable for mapping and many analysis applications. ZCTAs are generalized areal representations of the geographic extent and distribution of the point-based ZIP Codes built using 2020 Census tabulation blocks. The Census Bureau is restricted by Title 13 from releasing individual housing unit addresses or location information to the public, so point-based ZIP Code data are unsuitable for distribution and publication. However, by aggregating the points and extrapolating them to a polygonal-based unit (census tabulation blocks), disclosure concerns can be addressed and “geographic subtraction*” is prevented. * “Geographic subtraction” is the comparison of data for overlapping geographic areas to identify the location and characteristics of individual respondents and housing units. This can inadvertently result in data disclosure and is a major concern for geography representing a relatively small area (below county level) or geography with low counts of population or housing units. Summary of 2020 ZCTA Delineation Methodology Each assigned 2020 Census tabulation block is part of one distinct 2020 ZCTA. All 2020 ZCTA Codes are current valid USPS ZIP Codes (as of January 1, 2020). Not all valid ZIP Codes are represented by a 2020 ZCTA. For tabulation blocks that contain housing units, the ZCTA represents the ZIP Code associated with the most addresses in that block. All inhabited areas have 2020 ZCTA coverage. 2020 ZCTA coverage includes zero population blocks that are enclosed within a ZCTA, located along the fringes of a ZCTA, or form a small gap between ZCTAs. Uninhabited areas (land and water areas) over two square miles are potentially left unassigned from 2020 ZCTA coverage. 2020 ZCTAs may form noncontiguous areas (e.g., islands or enclaves). A 2020 ZCTA may represent a single institutional or corporate delivery point address. 2020 ZCTAs may represent mixed mail delivery (non-unique), firm or organization-specific (unique), or post office box-only (PO Box) ZIP Codes. All 2020 ZCTA boundaries are 2020 Census tabulation block boundaries. Comparison of 2020 Census ZCTAs to 2010 Census ZCTAs The delineation methodology used for the 2020 Census ZCTAs are identical to those used for the 2010 Census ZCTA delineation. Definitions & Reference Products Geography Program Glossary The Geography Program Glossary defines terms for Census Bureau geographic programs, maps, products, codes, and concepts, including Census-specific terms. Geographic Products available for ZCTAs 2020 ZCTA TIGER/Line Shapefiles Download the 2020 ZCTA TIGER/Line shapefiles. Cartographic Boundary Files View the newest available cartographic boundary files in shapefiles, geodatabase, and Keyhole Markup Language (KML) formats. 2020 ZCTA Relationship Files Download the 2020 ZCTA Relationship Files. Gazetteer Files View all the available Gazetteer files from the Geography Program. Statistical Data available for ZCTAs   Statistical data for ZCTAs are available from: 2020 Census 2010 Census Census 2000 Access data through data.census.gov.   ZIP Code Resources The Census Bureau offers a few statistical products by ZIP Code through our economic surveys. These data are available through data.census.gov. Please contact the US Postal Service for additional information about ZIP codes. Page Last Revised - August 10, 2023 ✕ Is this page helpful? Yes No ✕ NO THANKS 255 characters maximum 255 characters maximum reached ✕ Thank you for your feedback. Comments or suggestions? Top Back to Header Receive Updates To sign up for updates please enter your email address. 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