<http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger>
NOTE: The U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2005 TIGER/Line Files (First Edition) contain updated ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA's) reflecting U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code changes through October, 2002. There will be no futher updates of ZCTA's until required for the 2010 Census.
The following is excerpted from an Adobe Acrobat PDF document produced by the U.S. Census Bureau pertaining to ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs):
"ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are a new statistical entity developed by the U.S. Census Bureau for tabulating summary statistics. ZCTAs are generalized area representations of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) ZIP Code service areas. They represent either USPS five- or three-digit ZIP Code areas. ZCTAs are created based on the following criteria:
ZCTAs follow census block boundaries. The ZCTA code for each census block generally represents the majority ZIP Code of the addresses within that census block.
ZCTAs are not exact representations of the USPSs ZIP Code delivery areas.
ZCTA codes cover all land and water areas.
ZCTAs include some dedicated post office box ZIP Codes in areas served only by post office boxes.
ZCTAs representing post office box ZIP Codes generally have more than 10 addresses.
ZCTAs exclude unique, single delivery point ZIP Codes, such as those for firms and organizations.
ZCTAs are distinct from other Census Bureau statistical areas, such as census tracts, because they are not stable over time and are computer-delineated based on the location of addresses at the time of Census 2000 rather than manually delineated by local program participants or Census Bureau staff before the census.
ZCTAs are distinct from other representations of ZIP Codes because they are based on address information and ZIP Codes collected or verified during Census 2000 operations.
ZCTAs frequently cross county and place boundaries and may occasionally cross from one state into another."
For a more detailed discussion of how the U.S. Census Bureau created ZCTAs, please open one of the Adobe Acrobat files found at <http://www.census.gov/geo/ZCTA/zcta.html>
The following is excerpted from the metadata provided by INDOT for the source shapefile DOTGIS.ZCTA5_TIGER05_IN.SHP:
"The 2005 First Edition TIGER/Line files are an extract of selected geographic and cartographic information from the Census TIGER database. The geographic coverage for a single TIGER/Line file is a county or statistical equivalent entity, with the coverage area based on the latest available governmental unit boundaries. The Census TIGER database represents a seamless national file with no overlaps or gaps between parts. However, each county-based TIGER/Line file is designed to stand alone as an independent data set or the files can be combined to cover the whole Nation. The 2005 First Edition TIGER/Line files consist of line segments representing physical features and governmental and statistical boundaries. The files contain information distributed over a series of record types for the spatial objects of a county. There are 19 record types, including the basic data record, the shape coordinate points, and geographic codes that can be used with appropriate software to prepare maps. Other geographic information contained in the files includes attributes such as feature identifiers/census feature class codes (CFCC) used to differentiate feature types, address ranges and ZIP Codes, codes for legal and statistical entities, latitude/longitude coordinates of linear and point features, landmark point features, area landmarks, and area boundaries."
The following is excerpted from the metadata provided by INDOT for the source shapefile DOTGIS.ZCTA5_TIGER05_IN.SHP:
"In order for others to use the information in the Census TIGER database in a geographic information system (GIS) or for other geographic applications, the Census Bureau releases to the public extracts of the database in the form of TIGER/Line files."
NOTE: The U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2005 TIGER/Line Files (First Edition) contain updated ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTA's) reflecting U.S. Postal Service ZIP Code changes through October, 2002. There will be no futher updates of ZCTA's until required for the 2010 Census.
The following is excerpted from the metadata provided by INDOT for the source shapefile DOTGIS.ZCTA5_TIGER05_IN.SHP:
"The TIGER/Line data are not in a mapping projection even though most of the features were scanned directly from source maps that were in a projection. To find out more about TIGER/Line files and other Census TIGER database derived data sets visit <http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger.>
TIGER/Line files are extracted from the Census TIGER database twice a year or when needed for geographic programs required to support the census and survey programs of the U.S. Census Bureau. No changes or updates will be made to the 2005 First Edition TIGER/Line files. Future releases of TIGER/Line files will reflect updates made to the Census TIGER database and will be released under a version numbering system based on the month and year the data is extracted."
This data set is provided by Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey, and contains data believed to be accurate; however, a degree of error is inherent in all data. This product is distributed "AS-IS" without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to warranties of suitability of a particular purpose or use. No attempt has been made in either the designed format or production of these data to define the limits or jurisdiction of any federal, state, or local government.
These data are intended for use only at the published scale or smaller and are for reference purposes only. They are not to be construed as a legal document or survey instrument. A detailed on-the-ground survey and historical analysis of a single site may differ from these data.
CREDIT
It is requested that the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Transportation be cited in any products generated from this data. The following source citation should be included: [ZCTA_TIGER05_IN: ZIP Code Tabulation Areas for Indiana in 2005 (United States Census Bureau, 1:100,000, Polygon Shapefile)].
WARRANTY
Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey warrants that the media on which this product is stored will be free from defect in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition. If such a defect is found, return the media to Publication Sales, Indiana Geological Survey, 611 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, and it will be replaced free of charge.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTIES AND LIABILITY
Except for the expressed warranty above, the product is provided "AS IS", without any other warranties or conditions, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties for product quality, or suitability to a particular purpose or use. The risk or liability resulting from the use of this product is assumed by the user. Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey shares no liability with product users indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of revenue or profit, lost or damaged data or other commercial or economic loss. Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey is not responsible for claims by a third party. The maximum aggregate liability to the original purchaser shall not exceed the amount paid by you for the product.
<http://www.census.gov/geo/ZCTA/zcta.html>
The following is excerpted from an Adobe Acrobat PDF document produced by the U.S. Census Bureau pertaining to ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs): "It is assumed to accurately represent ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau."
"ZIP Code Tabulation Areas (ZCTAs) are a new statistical entity developed by the U.S. Census Bureau for tabulating summary statistics. ZCTAs are generalized area representations of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) ZIP Code service areas. They represent either USPS five- or three-digit ZIP Code areas. ZCTAs are created based on the following criteria:
ZCTAs follow census block boundaries. The ZCTA code for each census block generally represents the majority ZIP Code of the addresses within that census block.
ZCTAs are not exact representations of the USPSs ZIP Code delivery areas.
ZCTA codes cover all land and water areas.
ZCTAs include some dedicated post office box ZIP Codes in areas served only by post office boxes.
ZCTAs representing post office box ZIP Codes generally have more than 10 addresses.
ZCTAs exclude unique, single delivery point ZIP Codes, such as those for firms and organizations.
ZCTAs are distinct from other Census Bureau statistical areas, such as census tracts, because they are not stable over time and are computer-delineated based on the location of addresses at the time of Census 2000 rather than manually delineated by local program participants or Census Bureau staff before the census.
ZCTAs are distinct from other representations of ZIP Codes because they are based on address information and ZIP Codes collected or verified during Census 2000 operations.
ZCTAs frequently cross county and place boundaries and may occasionally cross from one state into another."
For a more detailed discussion of how the U.S. Census Bureau created ZCTAs, please open one of the Adobe Acrobat files found at <http://www.census.gov/geo/ZCTA/zcta.html>
"The TIGER/Line files contain data describing three major types of features/entities;
Line Features -
(1) Roads
(2) Railroads
(3) Hydrography
(4) Miscellaneous transportation features and selected power lines and pipe lines
(5) Legal (governmental unit) and statistical boundaries
Landmark Features -
(1) Point landmarks, e.g., schools and churches; sporadic coverage added on an as-needed basis
(2) Area landmarks, e.g., Parks and cemeteries; sporadic coverage added on an as-needed basis
Polygon features -
(1) Geographic entity codes for areas used to tabulate the Census 2000 census statistical data and governmental unit boundaries legally in effect as of the latest Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS)
(2) Locations of area landmarks
The line features and polygon information form the majority of data in the TIGER/Line files. Some of the data/attributes describing the lines include coordinates, feature identifiers (names), CFCCs (used to identify the most noticeable characteristic of a feature), address ranges, and geographic entity codes.
The Census Bureau includes landmark features on an as-needed-basis and has made no attempt to ensure that all instances of a particular landmark feature were included. The TIGER/Line files contain point and area labels that describe landmark features and provide locational reference. Area landmarks consist of a feature name or label and feature Landmarks may overlap or refer to the same set of polygons.
The Census TIGER database uses collections of spatial objects (points, lines, and polygons) to model or describe real-world geography. The Census Bureau uses these spatial objects to represent features such as streets, rivers, and political boundaries and assigns attributes to these features to identify and describe specific features such as the 500 block of Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."
"U.S. Census Bureau, TIGER/Line files, 2005 First Edition Technical Documentation. The TIGER/Line documentation defines the terms and definitions used within the files."
It is requested that the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Transportation be cited in any products generated from this data. The following source citation should be included: [ZCTA_TIGER05_IN: ZIP Code Tabulation Areas for Indiana in 2005 (United States Census Bureau, 1:100,000, Polygon Shapefile)].
WARRANTY
Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey warrants that the media on which this product is stored will be free from defect in materials and workmanship for ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition. If such a defect is found, return the media to Publication Sales, Indiana Geological Survey, 611 North Walnut Grove, Bloomington, Indiana 47405-2208, and it will be replaced free of charge.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTIES AND LIABILITY
Except for the expressed warranty above, the product is provided "AS IS", without any other warranties or conditions, expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, warranties for product quality, or suitability to a particular purpose or use. The risk or liability resulting from the use of this product is assumed by the user. Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey shares no liability with product users indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, loss of revenue or profit, lost or damaged data or other commercial or economic loss. Indiana University, Indiana Geological Survey is not responsible for claims by a third party. The maximum aggregate liability to the original purchaser shall not exceed the amount paid by you for the product.
" INDOT Disclaimer AS OF 01\01\2001
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Provides these geographic data "as is" and the user accepts the data "as is", and assumes all risks associated with its use. By acceptance of this data, the user agrees not to transmit this data or provide access to it, or any part of it, to another party unless the user shall include with the data a copy of this disclaimer. INDOT makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of information contained in the geographic data. INDOT further makes no warranties, either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of any product, or its fitness for any particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely with the user. Although these data have been processed successfully on computers of INDOT, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by INDOT regarding the use of these data on any other system, nor does the fact of distribution constitute or imply any such warranty.
In no event shall INDOT have any liability whatsoever for payment of any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of or reliance on the geographic data or arising out of the delivery, installation, operation, or support by INDOT."