Collage of a mail carrier holding wrapped gifts beside a mailbox of envelopes & Priority Mail boxes

John Fortunato (Mailman); Jim McMahon/Mapman® (Map); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (Envelopes); Shutterstock.com (All Other Images)

Math,

It's in the Mail

Postal workers help spread holiday cheer. Check out the data behind what it takes to deliver mail.

By Corryn Wetzel

From the December 2026 / January 2027 Issue

Key Focus Area: Measurement and Data,

Other Focus Areas: Data Analysis

Postal workers help spread holiday cheer this time of year. They’re hard at work moving cards, presents, and packages around the country—and the world! Check out the data behind what it takes to deliver mail to you and millions of others.

What We Sent

In 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) handled about 109 billion pieces of mail! Here’s the breakdown by type.

Advertising mail: 52%

Letters and Cards: 39%

Packages: 6%

Periodicals (magazines and newspapers): 2%

Other: 1%

What type of mail is most common? Why do you think that is?

Extreme Mail

Dive into fascinating post office facts from locations around the country.

Shortest Delivery Route
Woodinville, Washington

On this route, the carrier travels 2.45 miles and delivers to 1,419 mailboxes—each day!

Longest Delivery Route
Sidney, Montana

Here the mail carrier travels 195 miles each day, delivering to 319 mailboxes.

Biggest Post Office
New York City, New York

The post office building here covers 33,100 square feet—about the size of seven basketball courts.

Smallest Post Office
Ochopee, Florida

The building here is just 61.3 square feet—less than half the size of a parking space!

Hottest Post Office
Death Valley, California

Summer temperatures at this location can reach above 120° Fahrenheit.

Would you rather work at the biggest or smallest post office? Why?

How Much Mail?

On average in 2025, the U.S. Postal Service processed 115 million pieces of first-class mail a day. Here’s how much it has handled per year since 1950.

Did the USPS handle more mail in 1955 or in 2025?

Activities (2)

Answer Key (1)

Text-to-Speech

It's in the Mail