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 West Gastonia: 1023164
GNIS ID for Gaston County: 1008554
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 West Gastonia:
| Place (Community) Code: | 72400 |
| State Code: | 37 (North Carolina) |
| County Code: | 071 (Gaston 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: | 37/72400 |
| State/County Code: | 37/071 |
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 | |
| Gaston County: | 37/071 | 1008554 | |
| West Gastonia: | 37/72400 | 1023164 |
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 West Gastonia, it is a point within West Gastonia 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 West Gastonia, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 35° 17' 15" (or 35.29°)
Lon: -81° 14' 39" (or -81.24°)
Regional Codes ...
For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. West Gastonia is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. West Gastonia is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. West Gastonia is located in Region IV (Region 4).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. West Gastonia is located in Region IV (Region 4).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1023164 (Name of Record: West Gastonia)
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: Gaston
Map Name: Gastonia North
Lat: 35.2876366 Lon: -81.2442463
Elev: 261 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 37/72400 (Place Name: West Gastonia)
County: Gaston (FIPS State/County: 37/071)
Class: U4
Identifies a populated place (ie- West Gastonia) which is wholly or substantially located within the boundaries of an incorporated place with a different name. The Part of Code identifies the incorporated place.
Part-of-Code: 25580
MSA Code: 1520
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for West Gastonia. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Gaston County: www.co.gaston.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)