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 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 Midway: 2406162

GNIS ID for Hot Spring County: 66859

GNIS ID for Arkansas: 68085

FIPS Codes ...

In a past effort, various federal agencies worked together to create 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 Midway:

Place (Community) Code:	45560
State Code:	05 (Arkansas)
County Code:	059 (Hot Spring 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:	05/45560
State/County Code:	05/059

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
Hot Spring County:	05/059		66859
Midway:	05/45560		2406162

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 Midway, it is a point within Midway 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 Midway, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   34° 14' 44"   (or 34.25°)

Lon:   -92° 58' 7"   (or -92.97°)  

Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Midway - 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 Midway, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:

Lat:   34° 14' 59"   (or 34.25°)

Lon:   -92° 58' 24"   (or -92.97°)  

The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 2,073 feet to the northwest<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. Midway is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

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

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

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

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #58171   (Name of Record: Midway)

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: Hot Spring

Map Name: Social Hill

Lat: 34.2542589       Lon: -92.9635065  

Elev: 82 ft.

GNIS ID #2406162   (Name of Record: Town of Midway)

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: Hot Spring

Map Name: Donaldson

Lat: 34.2457762       Lon: -92.968645  

Elev: 86 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 05/45560   (Place Name: Midway)

County: Hot Spring     (FIPS State/County: 05/059)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Midway) that is wholly or substantially located outside the boundaries of any incorporated place or CDP (Census Designated Place) that has an authoritative common name recognized by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Off-the-Road Links ...

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Midway. 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)