Is Elmwood part of New Orleans or Jefferson Parish?
Hey Blake,
I've noticed that many businesses in Elmwood use New Orleans in their mailing addresses, yet this area sure seems like it's part of Jefferson Parish. Maybe New Orleans just looks sexier on mailing labels for out-of-state customers. The practice seems widespread. Do you know the deal?
Ian
Dear Ian,
When the U.S. Postal Service created ZIP codes in 1963, its intention was to simplify mail delivery. In the case of ZIP code 70123 it caused confusion.
In 1943, the postal service implemented an early form of postal code: a two-digit number to represent a particular zone in a city. Twenty years later, the ZIP code was born. In this system, the first three digits represent the central mail-processing facility, and the last two digits correspond to the original zone given to the city in the early '40s.
ZIP codes were never meant to conform to any geographic or municipality boundaries. At the time they were assigned here, it was decided efficiency could best be achieved by grouping the Jefferson Parish communities of Harahan, Elmwood and River Ridge, giving them a New Orleans prefix of 701, while most Jefferson Parish ZIP codes begin with 700. In addition, Old Jefferson was given the 70121 ZIP code.
So if your business is in the 70123 ZIP code, you can say you're a New Orleans company and the mail will get through, even if your location is in Elmwood, Harahan or River Ridge.
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