The Answer:
A social security number has three parts, an area number, a
group number, and a serial number.
The only part of a social security number that tells you
anything about a person is the area number. Since 1972, the first
three numbers of a social security card have related to the zip code
of the applicant. Eastern states have low numbers (New Hampshire has
001-003) and western states have high numbers (Hawaii has
575-576).
To read all about the SSA's numbering sceme, see this page on
Social
Security numbers.
—The Editors
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