PlainZIP

PlainZIP Editorial Team

ZIP Code Data Editors

Background

The PlainZIP editorial team compiles, verifies, and contextualizes ZIP code-level data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey and ZIP Code Business Patterns. We pair raw federal data with plain-language explanation so the typical visitor — a homebuyer, renter, journalist, researcher — can read a ZIP code's demographics without prior census expertise. The team does not accept payment, sponsorship, or promoted placement from entities it covers.

Editorial approach

The PlainZIP Editorial Team editorial process follows plainzip's Editorial Standards for Data Journalism. Every dataset we cover is traced back to its originating public source — federal agencies, state registries, or authoritative third parties — and we publish the provenance of each statistic so readers can verify it independently. We do not accept compensation, sponsorship, or influence from entities we cover.

When we present derived numbers (rankings, ratios, comparisons), the methodology page documents exactly how the figure was computed. If a number cannot be computed consistently across every entity in the dataset, we either disclose the gap or omit the comparison rather than present misleading data.

How content is produced

Data ingestion and computation are handled by deterministic pipelines — every numeric value, ranking, and ratio shown on a data page comes directly from the upstream source agency, unmodified. Numbers are never estimated or interpolated. Where we draw data from a primary public dataset, the figure is reproduced exactly as the source published it, and the originating dataset is named and dated on the page. Plain-language summaries, explanations, and editorial framing are drafted from the source data by our editorial team and reviewed against the official record for accuracy before publication.

Source attribution is shown on every page; the methodology underlying any derived figure is documented at the link above. We follow the guidance of Google Search Central's Helpful Content principles — write for readers, document sources, and disclose the editorial process — and welcome any factual flag at the contact link below.

Corrections and feedback

If you find an error, stale figure, or missing context on any page we publish, please use the contact page or write to hello@plainzip.com with the URL and the issue. We aim to respond within 72 hours and to publish corrections with a visible revision note.

Areas of focus

  • ZIP code demographics
  • Census ACS analysis
  • housing and income data
  • ZIP Code Business Patterns

Contact and identity