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 Buffalo Prairie: 405163

GNIS ID for Rock Island County: 424282

GNIS ID for Illinois: 1779784

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 Buffalo Prairie:

Place (Community) Code:	09499
State Code:	17 (Illinois)
County Code:	161 (Rock Island 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:	17/09499
State/County Code:	17/161

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 Illinois:	17		1779784
Rock Island County:	17/161		424282
Buffalo Prairie:	17/09499		405163

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

Lat:   41° 20' 18"   (or 41.34°)

Lon:   -90° 51' 17"   (or -90.85°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Buffalo Prairie is located in Region #2 (the Midwest Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Buffalo Prairie is located in Division #3 (the East North-Central Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Buffalo Prairie is located in Region V (Region 5).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Buffalo Prairie is located in Region V (Region 5).

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 Buffalo Prairie, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Buffalo Prairie. 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 Buffalo Prairie: 61237<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #405163   (Name of Record: Buffalo Prairie)

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: Rock Island

Map Name: Buffalo Prairie

Lat: 41.338365       Lon: -90.8548656  

Elev: 230 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 17/09499   (Place Name: Buffalo Prairie)

County: Rock Island     (FIPS State/County: 17/161)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Buffalo Prairie) 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: 1165

MSA Code: 1960

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Rock Island County: www.co.rock-island.il.us/

The official website for State of Illinois: https://illinois.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)