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, chose 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 Pacoima: 1661171

GNIS ID for Los Angeles County: 277283

GNIS ID for California: 1779778

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 Pacoima:

Place (Community) Code:	54960
State Code:	06 (California)
County Code:	037 (Los Angeles 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:	06/54960
State/County Code:	06/037

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 California:	06		1779778
Los Angeles County:	06/037		277283
Pacoima:	06/54960		1661171

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

Lat:   34° 15' 45"   (or 34.26°)

Lon:   -118° 25' 37"   (or -118.43°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Pacoima is located in Region #4 (the West Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Pacoima is located in Division #9 (the Pacific Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Pacoima is located in Region IX (Region 9).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Pacoima is located in Region IX (Region 9).

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 Pacoima, 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 Pacoima : 91331, 91333 & 91334.<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1661171   (Name of Record: Pacoima)

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: Los Angeles

Map Name: San Fernando

Lat: 34.2625025       Lon: -118.427027  

Elev: 302 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 06/54960   (Place Name: Pacoima)

County: Los Angeles     (FIPS State/County: 06/037)

Class: U4

Identifies a populated place (ie- Pacoima) which is wholly or substantially located within the boundaries of an incorporated place with a different name. The Part of Code identifies the incorporated place.

Part-of-Code: 44000

MSA Code: 4480

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Los Angeles County: www.lacounty.info/

The official website for State of California: https://www.ca.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)