Zipcode to Polygon/Boundary

Question

Is there any API out there which can give me Polygon value for a zipcode? I really thought that it would be fairly easy for me given the number of Maps APIs out there. Either Google Maps API or something else would be able to give me that data. But a plain Google search was not able to come back with any results which were satisfying.

The I realized that the Zipcodes can not be "strictly" defined as polygons. They belong to another type of geometrical element called "Boundaries".

All I want it a container inside a container inside a container

However, the smallest molecule in the equation would be a zipcode. The other containers can be Polygons OR Boundaries. I am not sure if that would make a HUGE difference. However, what I want essentially is a Geometrical representation of a zipcode boundary so that my SQL Server Db can understand it and I can query it from there

Any good suggestions on how can I enter a Zipcode and get a respective Polygon/boundary value for it?

Jeryl Cook · Answer

**Disclaimer I work here*

Very simple solution to this. sign up here: 
boundaries-io.com

then in your code: 
.../rest/v1/public/boundary?zipcode=20037,20002

The results are GeoJson to easily integrate that takes GeoJson like Google Map... used GeoJSONLint to cut and paste my GeoJson Results from the API call above to display the below image...Hope this helps!

Kotebiya · Answer

First of all, clarification is in order for ZIP codes. They are NOT boundaries or polygons. ZIP codes are service routes that are correctly represented as points or as sides of a street in a GIS context.

If you are interested in using Mappperz links, I would supplement his recommendations with a page that talks about what ZCTAs are and how they are created (Link). As of May 17, 2015, this is the ZCTA national shapefile data for all ZCTAs that has demographic data readily available.

Zipcode to Polygon/Boundary

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