Chinatown in New York City is one of the most iconic, vibrant neighborhoods in Manhattan and beyond. Many people—residents, visitors, businesses—often wonder: What is the zip code for Chinatown, NYC? In this article, we will explore that question and related details: the zip codes, postal boundaries, historic background, geography, and practical implications (mailing, services, demographics, etc.).
What Is a ZIP Code? (Background)
Before we dig into Chinatown specifically, it helps to understand what a ZIP code is:
ZIP stands for “Zone Improvement Plan.” It’s a system the U.S. Postal Service uses to help sort and deliver mail more efficiently.
A ZIP code typically corresponds to a geographic area, sometimes aligned with city neighborhoods, but not always exactly.
Larger cities often have multiple ZIP codes, overlapping boundaries, or areas where one neighborhood falls under more than one ZIP.
Knowing this helps us understand why Chinatown doesn’t have a single, simple “Chinatown ZIP code” but is part of one or more ZIP areas.
Chinatown, Manhattan — The Neighborhood
Chinatown is in Lower Manhattan, New York City.
Some important points:
It is part of Manhattan Community District 3.
Its boundaries are not perfectly fixed, but it generally lies south of Canal Street, east of Bowery, north of Worth Street / Civic Center, and west toward parts of Tribeca or the Bowery.
Chinatown is one of several Chinatowns in New York City (others are in Queens, Brooklyn, etc.), but Manhattan’s is the oldest and most historic.
Because of overlapping boundaries and nearby neighborhoods, Chinatown’s postal/ZIP coverage is shared with adjacent areas.
Which ZIP Codes Cover Chinatown?
Chinatown does not have exactly one unique ZIP code that covers only it. Instead, parts of Chinatown fall into two primary ZIP codes:
10013
10002
These are the main ZIP codes frequently associated with Chinatown.
Let’s look at them more closely.
ZIP Code 10013
ZIP 10013 covers the western parts of Chinatown (west of Bowery) and also extends into adjacent areas like SoHo, Tribeca, parts of Lower Manhattan.
The U.S. Postal Service identifies the Chinatown Station post office with ZIP 10013
In ZIP data sources, “Chinatown” and “Canal Street” are listed as “acceptable names” for 10013.
According to demographic and neighborhood mapping, 10013 is densely populated, mixed residential and commercial, with many services.
ZIP Code 10002
The eastern portions of Chinatown are more often associated with ZIP 10002, especially areas east of Bowery.
10002 also covers parts of the Lower East Side, which border Chinatown.
In various sources, you’ll see that ZIP codes for “Chinatown” include both 10013 and 10002.
Postal & Mailing Implications
Because Chinatown is covered by more than one ZIP code, here are some practical things to keep in mind:
Address Accuracy: If you are sending mail to an address in Chinatown, check the street address to determine whether it falls under 10013 or 10002. Mistaking the ZIP can delay delivery or lead to misrouting.
Post Offices: There is a Chinatown Station post office handling ZIP 10013.
Use of Acceptable City Names: For ZIP 10013, acceptable alternatives include “Canal Street, Chinatown.” The preferred city name is “New York, NY.”
Overlap with Adjacent Neighborhoods: Because boundary lines are not rigid for ZIPs, some addresses in adjacent neighborhoods might share the same ZIP as parts of Chinatown.
Services, Delivery, Utilities: Many services (internet, delivery, public services) base their region on ZIP. So two blocks away could have a different ZIP and thus a different service availability or billing.
Demographics & Key Statistics in ZIP 10013
Since much of the western Chinatown falls under ZIP 10013, here are some pertinent statistics (for 10013) as of recent data:
Population (approx.): ~31,042 people
Population density is quite high (tens of thousands per square mile)
Median household income is relatively high in 10013 (~US $159,474)
Housing: many rental units. The area has a mix of residential towers, small apartment buildings, and mixed-use structures.ous domains.
Because the area is dense and central in Manhattan, real estate values tend to be high.
Note: These figures are for ZIP 10013 only and may not reflect those same metrics in the eastern side under ZIP 10002.
Historic & Cultural Context Related to ZIP and Boundaries
It’s useful to understand that Chinatown’s social, cultural, and historical identity doesn’t always match perfectly with ZIP boundaries. For example:
The “Little Fuzhou” area is an eastern sector of Chinatown, with many Chinese immigrants from Fujian province. That area is more likely to fall under 10002.
The older “Cantonese” parts of Chinatown are more in the western section (10013 area).
As populations shift, demographics, property lines, and neighborhood borders adjust over time, while ZIP codes remain more rigid.
Many landmarks (restaurants, shops, cultural institutions) span across the ZIP boundary, so the neighborhood identity is broader than just the postal area.
Summary & Quick Facts
Topic
Key Info
Primary ZIP codes for Chinatown
10013 and 10002
Western Chinatown (west of Bowery)
Mostly under 10013
Eastern Chinatown
More likely under 10002
Post office in Chinatown
Chinatown Station handles ZIP 10013
Acceptable name for 10013
“Canal Street, Chinatown” is acceptable alias
Demographics in 10013
Population ~31,000; high density; high median income
Neighborhood identity vs ZIP
Cultural boundaries may cross ZIP lines
So, if someone asks you, “What is the zip code for Chinatown, NYC?” you should answer:
There is no single ZIP code exclusively for all of Chinatown. The area is primarily covered by 10013 (especially the western side) and 10002 (especially the eastern side).
Tips for Writing a Website Article on This Topic
Use maps showing ZIP boundaries overlaid on neighborhood boundaries to help readers visualize.
Provide example addresses and show which ZIP they fall into (if possible).
Include a “How to find the ZIP for your specific address in Chinatown” tip (e.g. using USPS ZIP lookup).
Mention exceptions, overlaps, and “acceptable alias names” in mailing addresses.
Use up-to-date data for population, housing, income, etc., and cite sources.
Make it easy to scan—use subtitles, bullet points, tables.
