This dataset denotes ZIP Code centroid locations weighted by population. Population weighted centroids are a common tool for spatial analysis, particularly when more granular data is unavailable or researchers lack sophisticated geocoding tools. The ZIP Code Population Weighted Centroids allows researchers and analysts to estimate the center of population in a given geography rather than the geometric center.

Population weighted centroids are a common tool for spatial analysis, particularly when more granular data is unavailable or researchers lack sophisticated geocoding tools. The ZIP Code Population Weighted Centroids allows researchers and analysts to estimate the center of population in a given geography rather than the geometric center. Data to estimate ZIP code centroids is extracted from administrative USPS address data. The population weighted centroids are based on the number of residential addresses in the component ZIP+4 (also sometimes referred to as 'ZIP9') locations for each ZIP code. The data is based on ZIP+4 centroids, not ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs).To learn more about administrative USPS address data, please visit: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/usps.htmlData Dictionary: DD_ZIP Code Population Weighted Centroids, for questions about the spatial attribution of this dataset, please reach out to us at GISHelpdesk@hud.gov. Date of Coverage: 12/2023