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Zip Code Basics
- Zip Code Look-up (U.S. Postal
Service). Search by address, city, or business name to find zip codes. If
found, the appropriate ZIP+4 Code will be returned. Can also find city name
by zip code. Includes a link to the Postal Service's Zip Code FAQs.
- What is a Zip Code
Tabulation Area? (Census Bureau).
- U. S. Gazetteer
(Census Bureau).
- MABLE/Geocorr2K:
Geographic Correspondence Engine with Census 2000 Geography--Relate
U.S.Counties, Zip Codes, Census Tracts, Congressional Districts, etc.
- To obtain a list of all Zip Codes within a state, county, or place (i.e.
city), follow the directions provided at the end of the Census Bureau's
Zip Code Statistics
page.
- Some companies provide free samples of data. (They hope to inspire you
to purchase their products). Examples include ZipFind
and ZipCodeDownload,
which offer free searches to find the distance between Zip Codes and/or
Zip Codes within a certain radius of another Zip Code. Another example is
Zip Codes in a County
from Melissa Data.
- Cartographic
Boundary Files (Census Bureau) includes downloadable boundary files
for the 2000 Census 5-digit
and 3-digit
Zip Code Tabulation Areas.
- The
ZIP Code Resources Page lists other tools and includes a discussion
about problems encountered when using Zip Codes to represent geographic
areas.
Information about People and Households by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
Census of Population and Housing and related demographic sources
- American
Factfinder (Census Bureau) provides official Census of Population and
Housing 2000 data online. (Tip: Finding
Census 2000 Data by Zip Code is a useful online guide that gives explicit
directions on how to use American Factfinder to get Zip Code level data).
The Reference Maps section of the Census Bureau's American
Factfinder allows you to create an online map showing what the Census
Bureau uses for Zip Code boundaries.
- MCDC
Demographic Profiles, 2000 Census (Missouri State Census Data
Center). Generate a Zip Code level demographic profile based on Census 2000
sample data. The reports include a series of hyperlinks to metadata and
the underlying census data that can be downloaded using the site's uexplore
web utility.
- Community Sourcebook
of Zip Code Demographics, a print source with demographic
and marketing variables. Latest edition shelved on Reference Room Table
4.
- ZIP Code Statistics
(Census Bureau). Census Bureau products that offer Zip Code level information,
many of which are for sale.
- EASI Census 2000 Quick Report
(The Right Site). Many ads for the company's commercial products also
appear on the site.
- Yahoo! Real Estate
Neighborhood Profiles (Yahoo!) Includes demographics, cost of living,
housing characteristics and selected quality of life data (climate, and
indexes for air quality, crime, and culture) by Zip Code.
- ZIPskinny (ZIPSkinny.com). Provides
basic demographic data from Census 2000 and comparisons with nearby Zip
Codes.
- Demographics USA. ZIP
Edition a print source with demographic and marketing
variables. Latest edition shelved on Reference Room Table 4.
- Quality of Life in American
Neighborhoods : Levels of Affluence, Toxic Waste, and Cancer Mortality in
Residential Zip Code Areas. Print source published
in 1986 includes selected population data from the 1980 Census of Population
and Housing by Zip Code as well as toxic waste information.
Other
Sources covering California only
Sources covering Los Angeles area only
- Zip
Code Data Book (United Way of Greater Los Angeles). Zip Code data/estimates
on demographic, household economic, and health topics for communities in
Los Angeles County, including both tables and maps. Many tables are based
on government data.
- United
Way of Greater Los Angeles Social Reports. Series of reports, some of
which include data down to the zip code level, on children, women, and ethnic
groups in Los Angeles. Reports typically include statistics on a wide variety
of topics, comparisons between different ethnic groups, and more. See also
the agency's searchable Research
Catalog, which links to other studies.
- MPA Market Profile Analysis: Consumer and Business Demographic Reports.
Print source from Donnelley Marketing which the Oviatt
library owns for Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Orange County,
California. Latest copies are on Reference Room Table 4.
- Neighborhood Knowledge Los Angeles.
To use the LANews
databases about the City of Los Angeles, you must log in, create a password
for yourself, and agree to the rules of the site. Then select Data &
Maps to get to LA News. Data is provided
on complaints filed with the Department of Building and Safety, residential
contruction permits, Department of Water and Power liens, tax liens, etc.
Some information is by Zip Code or census tract number, some is by Council
district, some on a street name basis (you enter the street name and range
of addresses on the street). Be sure that you understand the reason for
the usage agreement; use the data you find responsibly and kindly, being
aware that the information can be out of date. Site offers choice of English
or Spanish language.
- Economic Alliance of the San
Fernando Valley Virtual Library. While statistical compilations at this
site generally are by community name within the San Fernando Valley, some
of the data is mapped by individual Zip Code. Site includes the San Fernando
Valley Almanac and Factbook.
- SFVERC
Zip Code Data includes San Fernando Valley community profiles by Zip
Code.
Other cities and regions in California
- San Diego Area
- Ventura County
Sources covering other states only
- Georgia 2000 Information System
offers demographic data and projections at a variety of geographic levels,
including Zip Code, for the state of Georgia. Includes other southeastern
states as well for some data/geographic levels.
Education Information by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
- Search for Public Schools
(National Center for Education Statistics). Search by Zip Code to identify
community schools, then view the data available on each school and its students.
- American
Factfinder (Census Bureau). Population and housing data from Census
2000 searchable by zip code. Educational attainment and language spoken
at home data is in Summary File 3 (SF3). (Tip: Finding
Census 2000 Data by Zip Code is a useful online guide that gives explicit
directions on how to use American Factfinder to get Zip Code level data).
Sources covering California only
- Rand California
(Oviatt Library subscription). Includes the following, many of which are
based on data from government sources available via the
California Department of Education (but searchable at that site by school
name/district rather than by Zip Code):
- Academic Performance
Index. Introduced in California public schools in 1999, the Academic
Performance Index measures the academic performance and progress of
individual schools and establishes growth targets for future academic
improvement.
- Enrollment
Statistics. Reports the number of enrolled students at a specified
grade level by district and school in California.
- Enrollment
by Ethnicity Statistics. Reports the number of enrolled students
by ethnic background at a specified grade level by district and school
in California.
- English Learner
Statistics. Reports the number of enrolled students with limited
English proficiency by language and grade level for counties, schools,
and school districts in California.
- Public High
School Performance Statistics. Reports the number of student dropouts,
college attendance, courses taken and completion rates at high schools
in California.
- Summary Standardized
Testing and Reporting Program Statistics.
- Public School
SAT Scores Reports
SAT and ACT test scores by
ethnicity and gender for schools and school districts in California.
- School District
Demographic Statistics. Reports class size, staffing, and pupil-teacher
ratio for California's schools by county or Zip Code.
- Schools Computer
and Internet Access Statistics. Reports on the availability of computers
and Internet access in California's schools, school districts and counties.
- English
Learner Students Redesignated as Fluent-English Proficient Statistics.
Reports student transition from limited English language skills to fluent
English for California's schools and school districts.
- Fluent
English Proficiency Statistics. Data on fluency in English for students
in California schools.
- Teacher Demographic
Statistics. Reports number, average age, gender, degrees, and race
of California teachers by county, school, and school district.
Health Information by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
- American
Factfinder (Census Bureau) has official Census of Population and Housing
2000 data online. 2000 Census data provides a wealth of demographic data
including poverty status (use the Summary File 3 data set), information
on disability status (use the Summary File 3 data set), and Group Quarters
Populations (including numbers of people in nursing homes, hospices, etc;
use the Summary File 1 data set). Tip: Finding
Census 2000 Data by Zip Code is a useful online guide that gives explicit
directions on how to use American Factfinder to get Zip Code level data.
- Childhood
Lead Poisoning Prevention Program 1990 Census Data on Population and Housing.
Data from the 1990 Census of Population and Housing at several geographic
levels, including Zip Code.
- Quality of Life in American
Neighborhoods : Levels of Affluence , Toxic Waste, and Cancer Mortality
in Residential Zip Code Areas. Print source published
in 1986 includes selected population data from the 1980 Census of Population
and Housing by Zip Code as well as toxic waste information.
- Locator Services:
- Medline
Plus Directories (National Library of Medicine). Many of the directories
of health care providers, specialists, hospitals, etc. that this site
links to include zip code access. (Those that don't offer zip code information
usually offer some other type of geography-based access).
- American Hospital Directory The
free services section of this site allows you to search for hospitals
by zip code. Provides summary statistical information about each hospital.
- Hospital Compare (U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services) Compare the quality of care
local hospitals provide (based on care for adult patients with certain
medical conditions).
- AMA
Doctor Finder (American Medical Association). Basic professional
information on virtually every licensed physician in the United States.
Search for medical specialty (zip code searchable) or name.
- Nursing Home
Compare (Medicare). Detailed information about the past performance
of every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the United
States, including inspection reports, quality measures, number of beds,
staffing, and type of ownership.
- Find
a Nutrition Professional (American Dietetic Association).
- Substance Abuse Treatment
Facility Locator (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
Resource for locating drug and alcohol abuse treatment programs. Searchable
by Zip Code.
- FDA
Certified Mammography Facilities (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
- Eldercare
Locator (Administration on Aging)
Sources covering California only
- Medi-Cal
Beneficiaries by Zip Code (California Dept. of Health Services). Downloadable
files.
- Center for Health Statistics
(Department of Health Services).
- Rand California
(Oviatt Library subscription). Includes the following, many of which are
based on data from government sources:
- Drug and Alcohol
Use Statistics. Reports hospital records detailing the number of
admissions for drug and alcohol treatment and the characteristics of
persons admitted for treatment for drug and alcohol abuse at the state,
county, city and zip code levels in California.
- Medi-Cal
Eligibility Statistics by Managed Care Program. Reports the number
of persons eligible by managed care program at the 3-digit zip code
level.
- Medi-Cal
Eligibility Statistics. Reports the number of persons eligible by
gender, ethnicity, age, language, and associate program participation.
Beginning in 2003 the data is available only at the 3-digit zip code
level rather than the 5-digit level previously available.
- Birth Statistics
by Zip Code. Reports births by totals, age, education, race and
fertility rates for California zip codes.
- Death Statistics
by Zip Code. Reports deaths by totals, age, gender, race and cause
for California zip codes.
Sources covering Los Angeles area only
- Zip
Code Data Book (United Way of Greater Los Angeles). Zip Code data/estimates
on demographic, household economic, and health topics for communities in
Los Angeles County. Includes both tables and maps.
- Health
Data Resource Inventory (Los Angeles County).
- 1995
Health District Profiles includes vital statistics (births, deaths,
leading cause of death) by associated Zip Code.
- Perinatal Indicators, Los Angeles County.
Other cities and regions in California
Environmental Information by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
- Search Your Community
(Environmental Protection Agency) Environmental information searchable by
Zip Code. Includes information from various sources, including the Toxics
Release Inventory database (which can also be searched by Zip Code from
its own site).
- Enforcement & Compliance History
Online (Environmental Protection Agency)
- EnviroMapper
(Environmental Protection Agency).
- TOXMAP Environmental
Health e-Maps (National Library of Medicine)
- Enterprise Geographic Information
System (Housing and Urban Development Department). Creates maps that
combine information on Housing and Urban Development's community development
and housing programs with the Environmental Protection Agency's environmental
data. Area to be mapped can be set by Zip Code, city, state, or street address--which
allows you to map local neighborhoods.
- AIR Data Reports and
Maps (Environmental Protection Agency). Site offers maps and charts
of air pollution information; some information is by Zip Code. Much of the
other information is available at the county level.
- Yahoo! Real Estate
Neighborhood Profiles (Yahoo) Demographics, cost of living, housing
characteristics and selected quality of life data (climate, and indexes
for air quality, crime, and culture) by Zip Code.
- Quality of Life in American
Neighborhoods : Levels of Affluence, Toxic Waste, and Cancer Mortality in
Residential Zip Code Areas. Print source published
in 1986 includes selected population data from the 1980 Census of Population
and Housing by Zip Code as well as toxic waste information.
- ZIP-Code Insulation
Program (U. S. Department of Energy). Recommended insulation level
for your new or existing house.
- Earth's 911 (Earth 911). Recycling
facilities and other community specific environmental resources.
Sources covering California only
Sources covering Los Angeles only
Business Statistics by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
- Zip Code Business
Patterns by NAICS
(Census Bureau). Total number of establishments and number of establishments
by employment-size classes by detailed industry. Data on mid-March employment,
first quarter payroll, and annual payroll are summarized by ZIP Code without
industry detail. Data are collected annually. See also the earlier Zip
Code Business Patterns by SIC.
- Economic Census
- Census of Agriculture
- ZIP Code Statistics
(Census Bureau). Census Bureau products that offer Zip Code level information,
many of which are CD-ROMs for sale. This page also includes directions on
how to obtain a list of all Zip Code Tabulation areas that are within a
specific city or county.
- FDIC
Institutions Directory (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). Look
up the locations of all offices (branches) of banks or thrifts insured by
the FDIC. Use the search for Offices to access by the information by zip
code.
- Home Sales Information
(Yahoo). Database of home sales prices since 1996. Searchable by specific
address or Zip Code.
- Domania (Domania.com). Home sales
information, searchable by specific address or Zip Code.
- Media Tracker (The
Center for Public Integrity) enables you to find out who owns the media
in your area. Searchable by zip code, though results returned are usually
for a broader area.
Sources covering California only
- Rand California
(Oviatt Library subscription). Includes the following:
- Housing
Foreclosure Statistics. Contains the number of housing foreclosures
for 1995-2002, prior price paid for properties, and period of ownership
for most California counties, cities, and zip codes.
- Housing
Prices and Transaction Statistics. Reports the number of transactions
for 1991-2002, sales prices and dimensions of residential housing for
most California counties, cities and zip codes by housing category.
Sources covering Los Angeles area only
- MPA Market Profile Analysis: Consumer and Business Demographic Reports.
Print source from Donnelley Marketing which the Oviatt
library owns for Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and Orange County,
California. Latest copies are on Reference Room Table 4.
- Residential Vacancy Data
(City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power: distributed by the Los
Angeles Housing Department).
- Los
Angeles Times Home Sales Prices. Residential home sales information;
searchable by Zip Code.
- Economic Alliance of the San
Fernando Valley Virtual Library. While statistical compilations at this
site generally are by community name within the San Fernando Valley, some
of the data is mapped by individual Zip Code. Site includes the San Fernando
Valley Almanac and Factbook.
Political Information by Zip Code
Sources covering the entire United States
- CQ Moneyline
databases. Contributors to Federal candidate political campaigns by
Zip Code. Includes election cycles from 1980 to the present. Note: some
of the other sources available on this website require a subscription to
access the information.
- Write Your Representative.
Identifies Members of the United States House of Representatives by Zip
Codes within their districts.
Sources covering California only
Strategies to Find More
- Search the web sites of agencies that collect statistics. Only a core
group of organizations, usually government agencies, collect, analyze and
publish data at the Zip Code level on a regular basis. Once you know the
organization that collects the data in which you are interested, search
their web site to see if additional, especially newer, data is available
or if the date of future releases is announced. A list of major federal
agencies that collect statistics is available via FedStats.
State and Local
Governments (Library of Congress) provides convenient access to the
web pages of state governments.
- Internet
Search Engines allow searches combining Zip Code with other terms. This
is particularly useful when you want to find affiliated organizations in
a specific community, be they authorized repair dealerships for a company
or the local branch of a membership organization. Many companies and other
organizations have lists searchable by Zip Code that are available on the
internet.
- Library catalogs often allow searching by key word to identify what is
available at a specific library. Key word searching allows you to find "Zip
Code" where it appears in a title or other searchable field. Library
catalogs include print materials such as books and other formats, including
online sources. Try using the Oviatt Library's Library
Catalog or Other
Library Catalogs.
- American Statistics Index
and Statistical Reference
Index are major indexes that enable you to identify statistics published
in the United States. The Oviatt Library owns these in paper copy, shelved
on Reference Room Table 4. The online equivalent, the Statistical Universe
database, is available at the Los Angeles
Public Library in the Central
Library's Business and Economics Department.
Created and maintained by
Mary M.
Finley
Questions or comments:
mary.finley@csun.edu
Links checked: 23 April 2008
