Miscellaneous Information
So far, we found very little information about Ray Center. The little that we've found leads us believe that the community is historic.<1>
We've added Ray Center to our Gazetteer with the hope that we can develop more information. If you can help us with Ray Center, please Contact Us.
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 Ray Center: 635677
GNIS ID for Macomb County: 1622992
GNIS ID for Michigan: 1779789
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 Ray Center:
| Place (Community) Code: | 67440 |
| State Code: | 26 (Michigan) |
| County Code: | 099 (Macomb 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: | 26/67440 |
| State/County Code: | 26/099 |
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 Michigan: | 26 | 1779789 | |
| Macomb County: | 26/099 | 1622992 | |
| Ray Center: | 26/67440 | 635677 |
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 Ray Center, it is a point within Ray Center 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 Ray Center, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 42° 45' 42" (or 42.76°)
Lon: -82° 54' 4" (or -82.9°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Ray Center would have been located in Region #2 (the Midwest Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Ray Center would have been located in Division #3 (the East North-Central Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Ray Center would have been located in Region V (Region 5).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Ray Center would have been 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 Ray Center, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Ray Center. 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 Ray Center: 48096<2>
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #635677 (Name of Record: Ray Center)
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: Macomb
Map Name: Armada
Lat: 42.7616975 Lon: -82.9013157
Elev: 195 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 26/67440 (Place Name: Ray Center)
County: Macomb (FIPS State/County: 26/099)
Class: U6
Identifies a populated place (ie- Ray Center) 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).
MSA Code: 2160
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Macomb County: www.macombcountymi.gov/
The official website for State of Michigan: https://www.michigan.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)
Footnotes ...
| <1> | We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Ray Center, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy. |
| <2> | When looking for a ZIP Code, whether Ray Center or elsewhere, it's always best to check the website of the United States Postal Service (USPS). |