[Talk-us] relations on which thematic data can be connected? eg internet availabilty byt zipcode

[stevea]

Ray Kiddy <ray at ganymede.org> wrote
> ...published by the FCC and I think that at least some of the information is per zipcode.
and
> Wow. Bizarre, but good to know. Yes, I _always_ have thought that zipcodes partition land areas.

This was not my original though, but I have found it useful (and mentioned in a sprinkling of places) to think of ZIP codes as a sort of routing algorithm meant to facilitate the efficient movement of mail through the USPS infrastructure.  Their history is quite interesting and supports this interpretation, especially with automation and the extensions to 9- and 11-digit codes.

> Now I have to wonder if ZCTAs are still around and if they are mapped. I expect not.

Considering how OSM wants to (and to some decent extent, does) denote census areas as quite distinct from the "OSM-usual" key:value pairs for conurbations, and ZCTAs blend ZIP codes and census boundaries, you'd muddy a lot of water by using ZCTAs, especially as you use OSM data.

I, too, (like Clifford) wish you good luck and hope you have fruitful results you might share with us here at the completion of your project.

SteveA