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 numeric identifier 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 Harpers Crossroads: 986432
GNIS ID for Chatham County: 1008544
GNIS ID for North Carolina: 1027616
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 Harpers Crossroads:
| Place (Community) Code: | 29660 |
| State Code: | 37 (North Carolina) |
| County Code: | 037 (Chatham 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: | 37/29660 |
| State/County Code: | 37/037 |
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 North Carolina: | 37 | 1027616 | |
| Chatham County: | 37/037 | 1008544 | |
| Harpers Crossroads: | 37/29660 | 986432 |
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 Harpers Crossroads, it is a point within Harpers Crossroads 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 Harpers Crossroads, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 35° 34' 4" (or 35.57°)
Lon: -79° 27' 47" (or -79.46°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Harpers Crossroads is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Harpers Crossroads is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Harpers Crossroads is located in Region IV (Region 4).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Harpers Crossroads is located in Region IV (Region 4).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #986432 (Name of Record: Harpers Crossroads)
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: Chatham
Map Name: Bear Creek
Lat: 35.5679227 Lon: -79.4630783
Elev: 151 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 37/29660 (Place Name: Harpers Crossroads)
County: Chatham (FIPS State/County: 37/037)
Class: U6
Identifies a populated place (ie- Harpers Crossroads) 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: 6640
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Harpers Crossroads. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Chatham County: www.co.chatham.nc.us/
The official website for State of North Carolina: https://www.nc.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)