Centroid Matching

ZIP Code centroid matching is a center point of an area defined by either a ZIP Code or a ZIP + 4, and is the least accurate type of geocode. A ZIP Centroid is the center of a ZIP Code; a ZIP + 4 centroid is the center of a ZIP + 4. Since a ZIP + 4 represents a smaller area than a ZIP Code, a ZIP + 4 centroid is more accurate than a ZIP Code centroid.

The following diagram illustrates centroid matching. All six houses would have the same geocode in this example because they all reside in the same ZIP + 4 code.