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 code 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 Winter Beach: 293422

GNIS ID for Indian River County: 307624

GNIS ID for Florida: 294478

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 Winter Beach:

Place (Community) Code:	78225
State Code:	12 (Florida)
County Code:	061 (Indian River 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:	12/78225
State/County Code:	12/061

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 Florida:	12		294478
Indian River County:	12/061		307624
Winter Beach:	12/78225		293422

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

Lat:   27° 43' 9"   (or 27.72°)

Lon:   -80° 25' 14"   (or -80.42°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

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

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Winter Beach is located in Region IV (Region 4).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Winter Beach is located in Region IV (Region 4).

ZIP Codes ...

While some people have used a ZIP code to identify a community, the purpose of the ZIP code was to make mail delivery more efficient by grouping addresses together. Although the ZIP Code doesn't specifically identify a community like Winter Beach, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Winter Beach. 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.

The ZIP code for Winter Beach: 32971<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #293422   (Name of Record: Winter Beach)

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: Indian River

Map Name: Vero Beach

Lat: 27.7191964       Lon: -80.4206071  

Elev: 3 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 12/78225   (Place Name: Winter Beach)

County: Indian River     (FIPS State/County: 12/061)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Winter Beach) 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).

GSA Code: 3286

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Indian River County: www.ircgov.com/

The official website for State of Florida: www.myflorida.com/

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)