Postal / zip code polygon

Question

I need to identify the area/boundries of zip codes. What is the recommended way to get a polygon by zip code?

Thanks, Justin.

IanMurray · Answer

Kyle that Census link is for Zip Code Tabulated Areas(ZCTA's) not for the actual zip codes.

KyleDixon · Answer

It is available in the ESRI Data & Maps, you can also download from Census here: ftp://ftp2.census.gov/geo/tiger/TIGER2013/ZCTA5/

We're currently working on a ZIP Code boundary shapefile product, it's going through legal processes now, I'm not sure when it'll be available though.

One issue you'll have with ZIP polys is that they always follow feature lines, like roads. Often both sides of a road are delivered by the same ZIP, and parcels adjacent to them on one side will be another ZIP.

derekswingley1 · Answer

A quick search for "zip codes" at http://gis.stackexchange.com turns up some solid resources: 
Where can I obtain an up-to-date list of US ZIP Codes with Latitude and Longitude Geocodes?
Most Up-To-Date Source for US Zip Code Boundaries

That being said, "zip3" and "zip_poly" datasets still ship on the Esri Data & Map DVDs.