Ames, Iowa 50012.

National Geographic chose this ZIP code, which includes Friley, Helser and Westgate Halls, for their special “ZipUSA.” The National Geographic issue featuring the ISU ZIP code is now for sale.

“ZipUSA” is a special project where journalists from National Geographic find unique ZIP codes with a special population.

“They were looking for a ZIP code that was mainly occupied by young people,” said Kate Bruns, communications specialist for the Department of Residence. “They found us and contacted us about it.”

50012 is the only ZIP code in the United States that is occupied entirely by dormitories and their residents.

Scott Houston, freelance photojournalist from New York, and Hillel J. Hoffmann, journalist with National Geographic from Washington, arrived Monday, Sept. 10, 2001. They moved their belongings into a dorm room in Richey House, Helser Hall, and lived there until Sept. 17, to see how the population of 50012 spends its days and nights.

Neither Houston nor Hoffmann were available for comment.

Sept. 11, the day after they arrived, tragedy struck their hometowns and they were halfway across the country, gaining support from the residents of Friley, Helser and Westgate.

“I know that it affected a lot of their friends and relatives, and that was very difficult for them,” Bruns said.

JoAnna Springsteen, junior in technical communication, lived in Friley on Henderson last year when the journalists were in Ames. “I was working for the Department of Residence so I knew that they were coming, and they followed me one night when I was working security,” Springsteen said.

“I am really excited to see it. The issue coming out will be really good for the Department of Residence and the university to show incoming freshmen just how interesting Iowa State can be.”

Kalli Polemikos, junior in early childhood education, lived in Friley Hall last year.

“I was impressed that National Geographic picked out 50012 in Ames, Iowa,” Polemikos said. “Them being such a big magazine and picking Ames for their story was really cool.”