The U.S. Postal Service continues as a $65 billion company serving more than 150 million American homes, businesses and PO Boxes in every state, city, town and borough in the country- delivering nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail.

As the holiday season shifts into high gear, consider these numbers next time someone tells you USPS isn’t a vital part of America’s infrastructure anymore.

237 –            Number of years USPS has been delivering holiday cheer

17.9 billion–  Amount of cards, letters and packages delivered between Thanksgiving and  New Year’s Eve 2012

658 million–  Number of pieces of mail processed on Dec. 17, the busiest mailing day of  2012

528 million–  Average number of pieces of mail processed daily

560 million–  Average number of pieces processed daily during the holidays

29.5 million– In pounds, the amount of mail USPS will process for overseas military  installations

170,000–       Number of vehicles used to transport holiday mail

2.5 billion–    Amount of holiday stamps USPS has available this year

242 million–  Number of customers who visit a Post Office during the holidays

34 percent–  Percentage increase of air cargo lift of mail by USPS during the holidays

37 million–    Customer visits to usps.com during the holidays

Important Mail-by-Dates

via In a New York Minute: Holiday By The Numbers.