<P> There are over 42,000 ZIP Codes in the United States . ZIP Codes are used not only for tracking of mail but also in gathering geographical statistics in the United States . The U.S. Census Bureau calculates approximate boundaries of ZIP Codes areas , which it calls ZIP Code Tabulation Areas ( ZCTAs ) . Statistical census data is then provided for these approximate areas . The geographic data provided for these areas includes the latitude and longitude of the center - point of the ZCTAs . There are approximately 32,000 ZCTAs . The reason that there is not one ZCTA for every ZIP Code is that PO Boxes are excluded , since only populated areas are included in the Census data . The Census Bureau provides many statistical data sets for ZIP Codes , but does not keep up - to - date datasets of all ZCTAs . Complete datasets providing a similar approximate geographic extent are commercially available . </P>
<P> There are over 42,000 ZIP Codes in the United States . ZIP Codes are used not only for tracking of mail but also in gathering geographical statistics in the United States . The U.S. Census Bureau calculates approximate boundaries of ZIP Codes areas , which it calls ZIP Code Tabulation Areas ( ZCTAs ) . Statistical census data is then provided for these approximate areas . The geographic data provided for these areas includes the latitude and longitude of the center - point of the ZCTAs . There are approximately 32,000 ZCTAs . The reason that there is not one ZCTA for every ZIP Code is that PO Boxes are excluded , since only populated areas are included in the Census data . The Census Bureau provides many statistical data sets for ZIP Codes , but does not keep up - to - date datasets of all ZCTAs . Complete datasets providing a similar approximate geographic extent are commercially available . </P>
how many 5 digit zip codes in the us
how many 5 digit zip codes in the us
over 42,000
over 42,000