ZIP Code Tabulation Area Definition

ZIP Code Tabulation Area

[social GIS, statistics] Also known by the acronym ZCTA. A geographic area in the United States defined by the U.S. Census Bureau that approximates postal service areas for statistical analysis and data presentation, rather than the postal routes based on ZIP codes defined by the United States Postal Service (USPS). In GIS, ZCTAs are polygons with a location and area defined by shapefiles for use in mapping applications; conversely, ZIP codes are a set of lines and points that correspond to roads, streets, and actual addresses.