Data Layout#

Introduction #

This most up-to-date database file lists the matching city name and state for every active 5-digit ZIP code currently defined by the US Postal Service.

We update every record in ZIPList5 Lite monthly, so you always receive the latest and most up-to-date data. We license our ZIP code data directly from the US Postal Service. You can’t get more accurate and timely ZIP code data from any other source!

The City name field contains the one “preferred” city name for this ZIP code, as defined by the US Postal Service. This database contains only one record for each active ZIP code, and does NOT list any possible “alternate” city names. If you need alternate city names you should consider ZIPList5 (not ZIPList5 Lite), which includes all of the information in this database, plus alternate city names and other useful data.

The included databases are:

ZIPList5
ZIPList5 CBSA
ZIPList5 Geocode
ZIPList5 Lite
ZIPList5 Market Area
ZIPList5 Max
ZIPList5 Medical CBSA
ZIPList5 Medical MSA
ZIPList5 MSA
ZIPList5 Plus

Layout and Definitions #

ZipList5 (ziplist5.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS. Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names. If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa \| Verify Addresses & Identities
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 41,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries.
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
Pref?	char(1)	The “Preferred?” field indicates whether the city name contained in the record can be used for delivery of mail to the associated ZIP code.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes. For normal residential ZIP codes (which MAY include PO Boxes) this field is blank.

ZipList5 CBSA (z5cbsa.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS. Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names. If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa \| Verify Addresses & Identities
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 41,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries.
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code. If that ZIP code falls within a political entity which participates in Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the summer months, the DST? field is set to “Y”. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”. Note that most (but not all) of Arizona, parts of Indiana, and all of Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam DO NOT switch to Daylight Saving Time.
DST	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes. For normal residential ZIP codes (which MAY include PO Boxes) this field is blank.
CBSA	char(5)	CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area) The CBSA field contains the Core Based Statistical Area code, if any, in which some or all of the ZIP code lies. Note that rural ZIP codes (ZIP codes that are not part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area) do not have a CBSA code. The CBSA is a 5-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. ZIPList5 CBSA includes a cross-reference file listing all valid metropolitan statistical areas and micropolitan statistical areas and their CBSA codes.
Div	char(5)	Division The Division field contains the Metropolitan Division code, if any, in which some or all of the ZIP code lies. The Metropolitan Division is a 5-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. ZIPList5 CBSA includes a cross-reference file listing all valid Metropolitan Division codes.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes. For normal residential ZIP codes (which MAY include PO Boxes) this field is blank.

ZipList5 Geocode (z5ll.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The city name field contains the one “preferred” city name for this particular ZIP code as defined by the US Postal Service. This database contains only one record for each active ZIP code, and does NOT list any possible “alias” city names for any ZIP code. If you need the alternate or “alias” city names, contact Melissa (contact information is listed at the end of this document) to upgrade this database to one which contains the alias city names.
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
DST?	char(1)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code. If that ZIP code falls within a political entity which participates in Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the summer months, the DST? field is set to “Y”. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
Lat	varchar(8)	The latitude and longitude fields contain the geographic coordinates in degrees of the “centroid” of the ZIP code area. Depending upon the shape of the ZIP code area, the centroid may actually lie outside of the ZIP code’s boundaries.
Long	varchar(10)
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.

ZipList5 Lite (z5lite.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 41,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS. Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names. If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa \| Verify Addresses & Identities
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.

Column Name

Type

Definition

ZIP

char(5)

The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS.

Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database.
There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 41,000 active ZIP codes.
The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field.
This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program.
Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program

City

varchar(28)

The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS.

The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS.
Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names.
If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa | Verify Addresses & Identities

char(2)

The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.

ZipList5 Market Area (z5ma.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS. Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names. If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa \| Verify Addresses & Identities
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. A particular ZIP code may appear in more than one record if the USPS has defined more than one city name for that ZIP code. If you wish to eliminate the “duplicate” ZIP code records, you can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
DST?	char(1)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code. If that ZIP code falls within a political entity which participates in Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the summer months, the DST? field is set to “Y”. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
MA	char(3)	The market area field contains the Market Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The market area code is a 3-digit code assigned by Melissa. See the file malist.txt (included with ZIPList5 Market Area) for a complete list of all valid market area codes.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.

ZipList5 Max (z5mx.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. There may be several different city names associated with a particular ZIP code. If so, the ZIP code will appear in several different records, each with a different city name. Use the “Preferred?” field (described below) to identify the one city name which is the actual city name, as defined by the USPS, for that ZIP code.
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. A particular ZIP code may appear in more than one record if the USPS has defined more than one city name for that ZIP code. If you wish to eliminate the “duplicate” ZIP code records, you can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
Pref?	char(1)	The “Preferred?” field indicates whether the city name contained in the record can be used for delivery of mail to the associated ZIP code.
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
DST?	char(1)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
Lat	varchar(8)	The latitude and longitude fields contain the geographic coordinates in degrees of the “centroid” of the ZIP code area. Depending upon the shape of the ZIP code area, the centroid may actually lie outside of the ZIP code’s boundaries.
Long	varchar(10)
MSA	char(4)	The MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) field contains the Metropolitan Statistical Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The MSA is assigned by the US Government.
PMSA	char(4)	The PMSA (Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area) field contains the Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The PMSA is assigned by the US Government.
Abbreviation	varchar(13)	City Name Abbreviation The city abbreviation field contains the official USPS city abbreviation for most city names which exceed 13 characters.
MA	char(3)	The Market Area field contains the Market Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The Market Area is a 3-digit code assigned by Melissa.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.
CBSA	char(5)	CBSA (Core Based Statistical Area) The CBSA field contains the Core Based Statistical Area code, if any, in which some or all of the ZIP code lies. Note that rural ZIP codes (ZIP codes that are not part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area) do not have a CBSA code. The CBSA is a 5-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. ZIPList5 CBSA includes a cross-reference file listing all valid metropolitan statistical areas and micropolitan statistical areas and their CBSA codes.
DIV	char(5)	Division The Division field contains the Metropolitan Division code, if any, in which some or all of the ZIP code lies. The Metropolitan Division is a 5-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. ZIPList5 CBSA includes a cross-reference file listing all valid Metropolitan Division codes.
Population	varchar(10)	Population The Population field contains the Census 2012 population estimate for the ZIP code, not for the city. Point ZIP codes (PO Box and unique ZIP codes) have no population numbers

ZipList5 MSA (z5ms.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. The city named in each record is the “actual” city name for that ZIP code, as defined by the USPS. Please note that this database does not include alias or alternate city names. If you need a ZIP code database containing alias or alternate city names please check out our other ZIP code database products, such as ZIPList5 Max, at Melissa \| Verify Addresses & Identities
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 41,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries.
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
DST?	char(1)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code. If that ZIP code falls within a political entity which participates in Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the summer months, the DST? field is set to “Y”. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
MSA	char(4)	The MSA field contains the Metropolitan Statistical Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The MSA is a 4-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. Not all ZIP codes fall within a metropolitan area; therefore not all ZIP codes have an MSA code.
PMSA	char(4)	The PMSA field contains the Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area code, if any, in which the ZIP code lies. The PMSA is a 4-digit FIPS code assigned by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget. Not all ZIP codes fall within a metropolitan area; therefore not all ZIP codes have a PMSA code.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes. For normal residential ZIP codes (which MAY include PO Boxes) this field is blank.

ZipList5 Medical CBSA (z5mc.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. There may be several different city names associated with a particular ZIP code. If so, the ZIP code will appear in several different records, each with a different city name. Use the “Preferred?” field (described below) to identify the one city name which is the actual city name, as defined by the USPS, for that ZIP code.
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. A particular ZIP code may appear in more than one record if the USPS has defined more than one city name for that ZIP code. If you wish to eliminate the “duplicate” ZIP code records, you can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
Pref?	char(1)	The “Preferred?” field indicates whether the city name contained in the record can be used for delivery of mail to the associated ZIP code.
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
MedCBSA	char(5)	The Med CBSA (Medical Core Based Statistical Area) code is based on the CMS CBSA definition for FY 2015. The Med CBSA field contains special CBSA codes for the ZIP codes of all rural counties. The HFCA MSA list differs from the Census Bureau/OMB MSA definition in many areas. For that reason, this database should be used only for those applications where the HCFA MSA definition is appropriate, such as medical claim forms to be submitted to the HCFA. The MSA code used here includes the so-called Goldsmith Modification, which identifies rural areas of metropolitan counties. The Med MSA field contains special MSA codes for the ZIP codes of all rural counties and the rural portion (if any) of metropolitan counties. These codes are always two digits. These two digits often appear to be the same as the two-digit state FIPS code, but that is not really the case. The CBSA codes for rural areas are defined by CMS, and do not conform to the state FIPS coding scheme. Note that the same rural CBSA code is used for all rural ZIP codes of a given state. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
MedMSA	char(4)	The Med MSA (Medical Metropolitan Statistical Area) code is based on the HCFA MSA definition of from August, 2000. The HFCA MSA list differs from the Census Bureau/OMB MSA definition in many areas. For that reason, this database should be used only for those applications where the HCFA MSA definition is appropriate, such as medical claim forms to be submitted to the HCFA. The MSA code used here includes the so-called Goldsmith Modification, which identifies rural areas of metropolitan counties. The Med MSA field contains special MSA codes for the ZIP codes of all rural counties and the rural portion (if any) of metropolitan counties.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.

ZipList5 Medical MSA (z5mm.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. There may be several different city names associated with a particular ZIP code. If so, the ZIP code will appear in several different records, each with a different city name. Use the “Preferred?” field (described below) to identify the one city name which is the actual city name, as defined by the USPS, for that ZIP code.
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. A particular ZIP code may appear in more than one record if the USPS has defined more than one city name for that ZIP code. If you wish to eliminate the “duplicate” ZIP code records, you can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
Pref?	char(1)	The “Preferred?” field indicates whether the city name contained in the record can be used for delivery of mail to the associated ZIP code.
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
MedMSA	char(4)	The Med MSA (Medical Metropolitan Statistical Area) code is based on the HCFA MSA definition of from August, 2000. The HFCA MSA list differs from the Census Bureau/OMB MSA definition in many areas. For that reason, this database should be used only for those applications where the HCFA MSA definition is appropriate, such as medical claim forms to be submitted to the HCFA. The MSA code used here includes the so-called Goldsmith Modification, which identifies rural areas of metropolitan counties. The Med MSA field contains special MSA codes for the ZIP codes of all rural counties and the rural portion (if any) of metropolitan counties. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.

ZipList5 Plus (z5p.txt)#

Column Name	Type	Definition
City	varchar(28)	The City Name field contains a city name associated with the ZIP code by the USPS. There may be several different city names associated with a particular ZIP code. If so, the ZIP code will appear in several different records, each with a different city name. Use the “Preferred?” field (described below) to identify the one city name which is the actual city name, as defined by the USPS, for that ZIP code.
ST	char(2)	The state field contains the two-character alpha abbreviation for the state, as defined by the USPS, such as “CA” for California.
ZIP	char(5)	The ZIP code field lists only valid 5-digit ZIP codes currently defined by the USPS. Obsolete ZIP codes which have been “retired” from service by the USPS are not included in this database. A particular ZIP code may appear in more than one record if the USPS has defined more than one city name for that ZIP code. If you wish to eliminate the “duplicate” ZIP code records, you can use the Preferred? field (described below) to isolate those records which contain the city names “preferred” by the USPS for mail delivery. There should be exactly one such record for each of the approximately 43,000 active ZIP codes. The ZIP code field is treated as a text field, not a numeric field. This is to prevent the loss of the leading zeroes in certain ZIP codes when the data is imported into a database program. The area code, County FIPS, Latitude, Longitude, MSA, and PMSA fields are also treated as text fields. Treating all fields as text fields simplifies the importing and exporting of the data using a database program.
A/C	char(3)	The area code is the “most prevalent” area code for that one ZIP code. If multiple area codes apply to that one ZIP code, only the primary area code is listed. Overlay area codes are not listed in ZIPList5 Plus. See support file “ac.txt“ for a full list of all active area codes, including overlay area codes, in North America.
FIPS	char(5)	The County FIPS code field and the County Name field identify the one county that contains the largest portion of the ZIP code, even if the ZIP code lies in two or more counties. Please note that ZIP codes often cross county boundaries. Some ZIP codes actually cross the state line into an adjacent state!
County	varchar(25)	The County Name field identifies a county which contains some or all of the ZIP code identified by the ZIP code field. If the ZIP code lies
Pref?	char(1)	The “Preferred?” field indicates whether the city name contained in the record can be used for delivery of mail to the associated ZIP code.
T/Z	varchar(5)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code.
DST?	char(1)	The time zone field always contains the standard time zone designation for a particular ZIP code. If that ZIP code falls within a political entity which participates in Daylight Saving Time (DST) during the summer months, the DST? field is set to “Y”. Otherwise the DST? field is set to “N”.
Type	char(1)	The ZIP code type field identifies special kinds of ZIP codes.

Code and Definitions #

Column Name	Code	Definition
Pref?	P	This record contains the actual (preferred) city name for this ZIP code
	A	The city name in this record is approved for use with this ZIP code
	N	This city name in this record is not approved for mail delivery to this ZIP code
Type	P	ZIP code applies only to PO Boxes military installation.
	M	Military ZIP code (APO/FPO)
	U	“Unique” ZIP code assigned to a particular business or organization a county subdivision equivalent.
T/Z	EST GMT-5	Eastern standard time
	CST GMT-6	Central standard time
	MST GMT-7	Mountain standard time
	PST GMT-8	Pacific standard time
	EST+1 GMT-4	Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, APO/FPO (Central America)
	GMT+1 GMT+1	APO/FPO (Central Europe)
	PST-1 GMT-9	Alaska (except Aleutian Islands)
	PST-2 GMT-10	Hawaii, Aleutian Islands
	PST-3 GMT-11	Pago Pago
	PST-4 GMT+12	Marshall Islands, Wake Island
	PST-5 GMT+11	Micronesia
	PST-6 GMT+10	Guam
	PST-7 GMT+9	APO/FPO (Pacific)
	Y	Yes, participates in Daylight Savings Time during summer months
	N	No, does not participate in Daylight Savings Time during summer months

Data Layout

Contents