Over the past couple of weeks or so, a buzz has been growing on social media sites like NextDoor that some Hillsboro, Oregon, residents will have to adopt a new Zip Code, 97129. From what we can determine, notices were sent this month to residents in the southern parts of our city, advising them to use 97129 beginning July 1st.
We are trying to locate a map of the area that will change. One neighbor described it as being from Cornelius Pass Road on the East, to Baseline on the North, 32nd or around Brookwood on the West, and then TV Highway on the South. If any of you have been provided a map, please send it to hillsboroherald@gmail.com, and we will update this story.
As of this AM, nothing has been officially posted on the USPS website. People have a right to be concerned, and there seems to be some angst over the matter, and that is totally justified. We are a bit late to this conversation, and it sounds like the USPS will still deliver to the old zip code for a year or so. But we wanted to inform everyone what we have heard and provide a space for more information and clarity. Calls to the USPS have gone unreturned as of Friday.
Some Reactions From NextDoor:
“It says on the USPS website under informed delivery that our ZIP Code is invalid! 😡 And who knows how long it’s going to stay that way! It also says the new ZIP Code is invalid! I’m going to go to the local Post Office in Hillsboro and ask (since they never seem to want to answer their phone!”
“PSA: This is not just an address change for mailing inconvenience situation. This is a massive issue to change driver’s license, registration, legal documents, insurance, banks, IRS, W-4, HR, investments, autopay/autobill, online wallets, etc.. This is not an “inconvenience” as the letter states. This is a massive problem that will backlog the system.”
“Keep your letter for proof of change. You will need it to provide to your mortgage company and for other legal documents. It was a pain when the city changed our address. No one considers the legal ramifications with deeds and other documents.”
“My zip code changed about 5 years ago. It used to be 97006, but now it is 97003. The only thing that I had to change was the bank information. I don’t think over reacting to the situation is the best. Like changing your driver’s license, ordering new letterhead, etc because it will take years (if ever) that your address will not be associated to both zip codes. To this day to get accurate directions to my house I still have to use the old zip code otherwise you would not get to my house.”
“It absolutely sucks! My ZIP Code is changing to 97129, also starting July 1st. The letter said mail will still be delivered while using the 97123 ZIP Code for 1 year.”
I’m guessing that it’s the blank area on this map:
https://www.zip-codes.com/zip-code/97129/zip-code-97129.asp
Nope, I wasn’t close!
https://www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/32716/639156493370800000
As a survivor of the NW Evergreen to NE Evergreen fiasco, condolences to those in this new amd arbitrary ZIP.
With a simple Google search, the AI result shows a good list of items to look to updating for the zip code change.
One that stood out to me is this one:
• Insurance: Update your auto, home, and health insurance providers. (Note: Changing ZIP codes can significantly alter your auto and health insurance premiums).
I’ll be closely following the point of the possibility of significantly altering auto and health insurance premiums.
I live in the zone about which this article is written. Sure, it’s a mild nuisance.
DEAL WITH IT.
1330 SW Walnut St, Hillsboro, OR 97123
That’s the USPS distribution center. You’ll be going down there a lot to get misdirected packages. DEAL WITH IT.
ZIP codes aren’t used by GPS, so your directions and everything else will work as they do NOW. ZIP is Zone Improvement Plan, used solely by USPS for delivery of the mail – unless USPS is delivering something, ZIP code is irrelevant to the real world. Quickly updating your various utillities, credit card company, Amazon, etc. will fix the issue so your mail is properly delivered via the correct ZIP code.
But ZIP code ARE used by just about every mapping app, and they don’t update automatically. You’ll have to redrop your pin, and you’ll have to hope that Google, Apple, Waze, Mapquest and everyone else decide you’re providing them with accurate information. It should be a quick fix, but Hillsboro’s last renumbering effort still results in a whole lot of wayward delivery drivers.