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 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 Georgetown: 590291

GNIS ID for Kent County: 593907

GNIS ID for Maryland: 1714934

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 Georgetown:

Place (Community) Code:	31875
State Code:	24 (Maryland)
County Code:	029 (Kent 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:	24/31875
State/County Code:	24/029

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 Maryland:	24		1714934
Kent County:	24/029		593907
Georgetown:	24/31875		590291

GPS Location - GNIS Coordinates ...

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

Lat:   39° 21' 42"   (or 39.36°)

Lon:   -75° 52' 48"   (or -75.88°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Georgetown is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Georgetown is located in Region III (Region 3).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Georgetown is located in Region III (Region 3).

ZIP Codes ...

While some people have used ZIP codes to identify a community, the ZIP codes were actually created to make mail delivery more efficient by grouping addresses together. Although a ZIP Code doesn't specifically identify a community like Georgetown, they do identify addresses that are in (or near) the community. It's important to remember that the boundaries of a ZIP Code are defined by the needs of the USPS and can be changed, re-assigned or overlapped with other ZIP Codes.

Our list of ZIP codes for Georgetown :  & .<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #584574   (Name of Record: Georgetown)

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: Kent

Map Name: Rock Hall

Lat: 39.2223314       Lon: -76.1952299  

Elev: 12 ft.

GNIS ID #590291   (Name of Record: Georgetown)

Class: populated place

County: Kent

Map Name: Galena

Lat: 39.3617787       Lon: -75.8802171  

Elev: 10 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 24/31875   (Place Name: Georgetown)

County: Kent     (FIPS State/County: 24/029)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Georgetown) 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).

FIPS Code: 24/31900   (Place Name: Georgetown)

County: Kent     (FIPS State/County: 24/029)

Class: U6

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Kent County: www.kentcounty.com/

The official website for State of Maryland: www.maryland.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)