Miscellaneous Information

Various Identification Codes ...

GNIS Codes ...

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) was created to address the problems caused by spelling and naming variations. The BGN will usually recognize an existing name or, when necessary, establish a new name for a geographic feature (such as a mountain, lake, river, stream, city, town, village, dam, bridge, etc).

The BGN names are kept in a database called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and it is the official Federal repository. The GNIS is operated and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A unique and permanent identification number has been assigned for each name in the GNIS database. These names and identifiers are definitive and it is intended that they are to be used by all departments of the Federal Government:

GNIS ID for Helena - West Helena: 2404679

GNIS ID for Phillips County: 69172

GNIS ID for Arkansas: 68085

FIPS Codes ...

In a past effort, various federal agencies created a set of codes with a purpose similar to the GNIS codes. These codes are called the Federal Information Processing Standard (or the FIPS 55 codes). Although they are still used by some organizations, the FIPS codes are obsolete and will ultimately be replaced by the GNIS codes.

The following FIPS codes apply to Helena - West Helena:

Place (Community) Code:	31190
State Code:	05 (Arkansas)
County Code:	107 (Phillips County)

Since the Place and County FIPS codes are not unique and can be repeated in other States, it's necessary to combine the State code with the Place and County FIPS codes to uniquely identify them - for example:

State/Place Code:	05/31190
State/County Code:	05/107

As already mentioned, the FIPS codes are to be replaced by the GNIS codes. The following reflect those changes:

	FIPS Code	translates to	GNIS Code
State of Arkansas:	05		68085
Phillips County:	05/107		69172
Helena - West Helena:	05/31190		2404679

GPS Location - GNIS vs Census ...

An important aspect of the GNIS code is that it assigns a GPS location (the latitude/longitude) to the geographic feature. This location is simply a point on the map and does not represent the size or shape of the feature. In the case of Helena - West Helena, it is a point within Helena - West Helena that might be a post office, the city hall or simply an intersection - the point should really be considered arbitrary and only indicating a general location.

For Helena - West Helena, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   34° 31' 52"   (or 34.53°)

Lon:   -90° 37' 12"   (or -90.62°)  

Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Helena - West Helena - this area also contains a map point. As with the GNIS code, the location of the Census point should be considered as being arbitrary within the sampling area.

For Helena - West Helena, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:

Lat:   34° 32' 0"   (or 34.53°)

Lon:   -90° 37' 14"   (or -90.62°)  

The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 850 feet to the north<1> of the point given by the GNIS (see above).

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Helena - West Helena is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Helena - West Helena is located in Division #7 (the West South-Central Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Helena - West Helena is located in Region VI (Region 6).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Helena - West Helena is located in Region VI (Region 6).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #2101418   (Name of Record: Helena-West Helena)

Class: populated place

A place or area having clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent population (such as a city, settlement, town or village). The boundaries may or may not coincide with the perceived population.

A 'populated place' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'civil' record. The information contained in the 'populated place' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'civil' classes.

County: Phillips

Map Name: Helena

Lat: 34.5291       Lon: -90.59  

Elev: 60 ft.

GNIS ID #2404679   (Name of Record: City of Helena-West Helena)

Class: civil

A political division formed for administrative purposes (such as a borough, county, incorporated place, parish, town or township).

A 'civil' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'populated place' record. The information contained in the 'civil' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'populated place' classes.

County: Phillips

Map Name: Helena

Lat: 34.5312299       Lon: -90.620253  

Elev: 102 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

Off-the-Road Links ...

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Helena - West Helena. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Arkansas: https://portal.arkansas.gov/

The official website of the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN)

The official website of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

The official website of the U.S. Census Bureau

The official website of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The official website of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)