What Does Zip 4 Code Mean and How Do I Find My Zip 4 Code?

When it comes to the United States postal service, you'll need to know what a ZIP code means. The basic format of a ZIP Code is five digits and was introduced in 1963. Later, the postal service added an extension to this code, called the ZIP+4 code, which includes an additional four digits that indicate a more specific location.

Even though the use of snail mail has decreased, it's important to keep your ZIP code as it provides valuable demographic information about the area. You can also find out what your property taxes are by looking up your ZIP code. While this information is helpful, don't rely on it blindly.

The ZIP+4 system was introduced by the US Postal Service in 1983, adding four additional digits to the old five-digit code. This allowed for more precise matching of mails to specific addresses. While a ZIP+4 code might represent one house on one side of a street, it might also represent a single building that receives a large volume of mail.

ZIP+4 codes were added to the original five-digit system to allow for faster mail delivery. The last four digits of the ZIP Code represent a delivery route segment that contains anywhere from 10 to 20 mailboxes. These codes are also more likely to change from time to time.