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 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 numeric 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 Takoma Park: 2390660

GNIS ID for Montgomery County: 1712500

GNIS ID for Maryland: 1714934

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 Takoma Park:

Place (Community) Code:	76650
State Code:	24 (Maryland)
County Code:	031 (Montgomery 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:	24/76650
State/County Code:	24/031

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
Montgomery County:	24/031		1712500
Takoma Park:	24/76650		2390660

GPS Location - GNIS vs Census ...

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

Lat:   38° 58' 51"   (or 38.98°)

Lon:   -77° 0' 9"   (or -77°)  

Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Takoma Park - this area also contains a map point. As with the GNIS code, the location of the Census point should be considered as being arbitrary within the sampling area.

For Takoma Park, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:

Lat:   38° 58' 49"   (or 38.98°)

Lon:   -77° 0' 8"   (or -77°)  

The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 310.2 feet to the southeast<1> of the point given by the GNIS (see above).

You might note that the GPS location given for the 2010 Census is different than the location that was specified by the 2000 Census:

Lat:   38° 58' 48"   (or 38.98°)

Lon:   -77° 0' 8"   (or -77°)  

The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 88.5 feet to the south<2> of the point given by the 2010 Census.

Regional Codes ...

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

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

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

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

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 city like Takoma Park, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Takoma Park. 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 Takoma Park: 20912-20913<3>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #598146   (Name of Record: Takoma Park)

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: Montgomery

Map Name: Washington West

Lat: 38.9778882       Lon: -77.0074765  

Elev: 88 ft.

GNIS ID #2390660   (Name of Record: City of Takoma Park)

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: Montgomery

Map Name: Washington West

Lat: 38.9810847       Lon: -77.002743  

Elev: 73 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 24/76650   (Place Name: Takoma Park)

County: Montgomery     (FIPS State/County: 24/031)

Class: C1

Identifies an incorporated place (ie- Takoma Park) that does not serve as a primary county division - or in other words, it is included in and is part of a primary county division (ie- Montgomery County).

GSA Code: 1540

MRF Code: 950

MSA Code: 8840

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Takoma Park: www.cityoftakomapark.org/

The official website for Montgomery County: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/

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)