There is also another type of postal code, the ZIP + 4 code. According to unitedstateszipcodes.org, the ZIP + 4 was established in 1983 and identifies an even more specific location within a ZIP code.

The U.S. Postal Service began using the five-digit ZIP code in 1963. In recognition of the anniversary, we've examined the list of more than 40,000 ZIP codes and highlighted a few that deserve ...

On July 1, 1963, the U.S. Post Office Department introduced the ZIP code program to get a handle on the heaping surplus of mail. Today, those five digits represent much more for American society.

In 48503, the zip code of Flint, Mich., the U.S. city with the highest murder rate: We shop for groceries at Walmart supercenters and buy clothes, household items, and sundries at Kmart.