Supported Geocoding Datasets

The following table shows the geocoding levels available.

Geocoding Dataset City Centroid Suburb/Village Centroid Postal Centroid Street Centroid Interpolated Street Address Point-level Address Point of Interest
Point geocoding datasets Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes1 Yes2
  1. Requires the use of an optional geocoding dataset.
  2. Supported with Master Location Data and HERE Points datasets.

Street Geocoding Datasets

Street geocoding datasets contain the spatial data necessary to perform address standardization and geocoding. You must install at least one of these geocoding datasets to perform geocoding for USA.

These geocoding datasets use proprietary files called GSD files. For ZIP Code centroid matching, the file us.Z9 contains all the centroid info for all states and normally has a z9 extension.

  • HERE Streets — This geocoding dataset provides street segment data by HERE, a third-party provider of spatial data.
  • TomTom Streets — This geocoding dataset provides street segment data by TomTom, a third-party provider of spatial data, and postal data from the U.S. Postal Service.

Each geocoding dataset has an optional Statewide Intersections Index. The Statewide Intersection Index is designed to enable fast intersection identification on a statewide basis. For example, the Statewide Intersection Index will allow the geocoding dataset search for "1st && Main St, CO" and return a list of possible matches in Colorado more quickly than searching the entire geocoding geocoding dataset for each instance of the intersection.

Point Geocoding Datasets

Note:
To use a point geocoding dataset, you must also install a street geocoding dataset.

Point geocoding datasets contain data for locating the center of a parcel. These geocoding datasets provides enhanced geocoding accuracy for internet mapping, property and casualty insurance, telecommunications, utilities, and others.

These geocoding datasets are optional, but either Centrus Enhanced Points or Centrus Premium Points is required for Reverse Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) Lookup. These geocoding datasets are also separately licensed.

  • Master Location Data — This geocoding dataset provides the best available address point location for every mailable and deliverable address in the United States.
  • Centrus Points — This geocoding dataset contains the data necessary to locate the center of a parcel or building. It does not contain Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) or elevation data.
  • Centrus Elevation — This geocoding dataset contains the same data as Centrus Points, plus elevation data.
  • Centrus Enhanced Points — This geocoding dataset contains the same data as Centrus Points, plus APN data.
  • Centrus Premium Points — This geocoding dataset contains the same data as Centrus Points, plus both APN and elevation data.
  • HERE Points—This database is provided by HERE, a third-party data provider. It contains data used to locate addresses at the center of the actual building footprint or parcel.
  • TomTom Points — The data in this geocoding dataset is provided by TomTom, a third-party provider of spatial data.

Reverse Geocoding Geocoding Dataset

The Reverse Geocoding geocoding dataset contains the data you need to convert a latitude/longitude location to an address.

This geocoding dataset is optional, but is required for reverse geocoding. This geocoding dataset is also separately licensed.

Custom User Dictionaries

Custom User Dictionaries contain user-defined records. You can use Custom User Dictionaries to provide custom data to use in address matching and geocoding.

DPV® Geocoding Dataset

The Delivery Point Validation geocoding dataset allows you to check the validity of any individual mailing address in the U.S. The DPV geocoding dataset is distributed as an optional feature and can be installed to enhance the geocoding dataset's ability to validate mailing addresses. Each time an edition of the geocoding geocoding dataset is released, a corresponding edition of the optional DPV geocoding dataset is released. The date of the DPV geocoding dataset must match the date of the geocoding dataset for DPV processing to function. DPV lookups may not be performed after the expiration date of the DPV geocoding dataset.

This geocoding dataset is optional, but is required for CASS Certified™ processing. The DPV geocoding dataset is also required to determine ZIP + 4 and ZIP + 4 related output (DPBC, USPS record type, etc.). This geocoding dataset is also separately licensed.

Note:

Postal Service licensing prohibits using DPV for the generation of addresses or address lists, and also prohibits the DPV geocoding dataset being exported outside the United States.

EWS Geocoding Dataset

The Early Warning System (EWS) geocoding dataset contains data that prevents address records from miscoding due to a delay in postal data reaching the U.S. Postal geocoding dataset.

The USPS® refreshes the EWS file on a weekly basis. Unlike the DPV and LACSLink geocoding datasets, the EWS geocoding dataset does not need to have the same date as the geocoding geocoding dataset. You can download the EWS.zip file free of charge from the CASS section of the USPS® PostalPro website at:

https://postalpro.usps.com/cass/EWS.

When you download the EWS geocoding dataset, you will receive a file named OUT. You must rename the OUT file to EWS.txt before using it.

LACS Link Geocoding Dataset

The LACSLink geocoding dataset allows you to correct addresses that have changed as a result of a rural route address converting to street-style address, a PO Box renumbering, or a street-style address changing.

This geocoding dataset is optional, but is required for CASS Certified™ processing. The LACSLink geocoding dataset is also required in CASS mode to receive ZIP + 4 and ZIP + 4 related output (delivery point barcode, USPS record type, etc.).

The date of the LACSLink geocoding dataset must match the date of the geocoding dataset for LACSLink processing to function.

Note:
USPS licensing prohibits using LACSLink for the generation of addresses or address lists, and also prohibits the LACSLink geocoding dataset being exported outside the United States.