Hyperlocal and ‘postcode areas’
‘Postcode areas’ are often used to define the space – the hyperlocale as I’ve taken to calling it – which hyperlocal blogs serve, for example Sutton Coldfield Local used to be the B72 Blog and that sense of space is still fairly implicit in its coverage despite the name change (see also B31 Voices a
‘Postcode areas’ are often used to define the space – the hyperlocale as I’ve taken to calling it – which hyperlocal blogs serve, for example Sutton Coldfield Local used to be the B72 Blog and that sense of space is still fairly implicit in its coverage despite the name change (see also B31 Voices and many many others). I’m trying to wrap my head around what we mean by a postcode area, and what that means in terms of scale and reach. This table is useful in clarifying the various levels of the postcode system and what that means in terms of hyperlocal audience.
Average population size for postcode geographical areas
|
Average population |
|||
|
Area name |
England & Wales |
Scotland |
Northern Ireland |
|
Postcode area (e.g. YO) |
500,000 |
400,000 |
1,750,000 |
|
Postcode district (e.g. YO10) |
22,500 |
12,000 |
21,500 |
|
Postcode sector (e.g. YO10 5) |
600 |
600 |
600 |
|
Full postcode (e.g. YO10 5DG) |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Source: http://www.apho.org.uk/resource/item.aspx?RID=74894
So interestingly, most times I hear people talk about postcode area they mean a postcode district, and a postcode district is probably larger than I thought it was…