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 Mashpee: 618256

GNIS ID for Barnstable County: 606927

GNIS ID for Massachusetts: 606926

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 Mashpee:

Place (Community) Code:	39065
State Code:	25 (Massachusetts)
County Code:	001 (Barnstable 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:	25/39065
State/County Code:	25/001

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 Massachusetts:	25		606926
Barnstable County:	25/001		606927
Mashpee:	25/39065		618256

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Mashpee is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Mashpee is located in Division #1 (the New England Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Mashpee is located in Region I (Region 1).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Mashpee is located in Region I (Region 1).

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 Mashpee, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Mashpee. 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 Mashpee: 02649<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #615624   (Name of Record: Mashpee)

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: Barnstable

Map Name: Cotuit

Lat: 41.6484421       Lon: -70.4811383  

Elev: 22 ft.

GNIS ID #618256   (Name of Record: Town of Mashpee)

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: Barnstable

Map Name: Cotuit

Lat: 41.6167759       Lon: -70.4994723  

Elev: 7 ft.

GNIS ID #1948071   (Name of Record: Mashpee (historical))

Class: populated place

County: Barnstable

Map Name: Unknown

Lat: 0       Lon: 0  

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 25/39065   (Place Name: Mashpee (Mashpee Center))

County: Barnstable     (FIPS State/County: 25/001)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Mashpee) 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: 694

MSA Code: 740

FIPS Code: 25/39100   (Place Name: Mashpee (Town of))

County: Barnstable     (FIPS State/County: 25/001)

Class: T1

MSA Code: 740

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Mashpee: www.ci.mashpee.ma.us/

The official website for Barnstable County: www.barnstablecounty.org/

The official website for State of Massachusetts: https://www.mass.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)