zip code data source ie core based statistical areas and other govt geocode info

[dougmcallaster]

Do folks have a preferred source?

Or is there an easy free source -- it seems getting this data consolidated from govt sources is a chore.

I've heard of ZipInfo and Geo*Data.

[ballardw]

Depends on what use and which details you need.

The data set SASHELP.ZIPCODE has Zipcodes, geographical coordinates of the centroid in latitude longitude, state and county information and if the Zip is in a Metropolitan Statistical Area (based on 2003 population) which one.

This set is provided by SAS and should be part of your install and updates are available from the SAS support site.