Trivia: What does the first number in a ZIP code represent?
The type of ZIP code
A general geographic area
A single state
When it was established
The correct answer is A general geographic area
So why is this answer correct? : Each number in a ZIP code helps the Postal Service narrow down the destination of a piece of mail. The first number represents a general geographic area of the U.S., from “0” in the East to “9” in the West. The second and third numbers refer to regional areas, and the fourth and fifth numbers indicate specific post offices or zones within those areas.