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 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 Oak Island: 2407020
GNIS ID for Brunswick County: 1026340
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 Oak Island:
| Place (Community) Code: | 48345 |
| State Code: | 37 (North Carolina) |
| County Code: | 019 (Brunswick 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: | 37/48345 |
| State/County Code: | 37/019 |
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 | |
| Brunswick County: | 37/019 | 1026340 | |
| Oak Island: | 37/48345 | 2407020 |
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 Oak Island, it is a point within Oak Island 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 Oak Island, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 33° 55' 7" (or 33.92°)
Lon: -78° 7' 42" (or -78.13°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Oak Island - 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 Oak Island, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 33° 55' 48" (or 33.93°)
Lon: -78° 4' 48" (or -78.08°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 2 miles to the east<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: 33° 54' 58" (or 33.92°)
Lon: -78° 7' 49" (or -78.13°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 3 miles to the west<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. Oak Island is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Oak Island is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Oak Island is located in Region IV (Region 4).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Oak Island is located in Region IV (Region 4).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1848160 (Name of Record: Oak Island)
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: Brunswick
Map Name: Lockwoods Folly
Lat: 33.9165623 Lon: -78.161106
Elev: 3 ft.
GNIS ID #2407020 (Name of Record: Town of Oak Island)
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: Brunswick
Map Name: Lockwoods Folly
Lat: 33.9188864 Lon: -78.128482
Elev: 6 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 37/48345 (Place Name: Oak Island)
County: Brunswick (FIPS State/County: 37/019)
Class: B
MSA Code: 9200
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Oak Island: www.oakislandnc.com/
The official website for Brunswick County: www.brunsco.net/
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)