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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 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 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 Centre Grove: 875356

GNIS ID for Cumberland County: 882275

GNIS ID for New Jersey: 1779795

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 Centre Grove:

Place (Community) Code:  11770
State Code:  34 (New Jersey)
County Code:  011 (Cumberland 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:  34/11770
State/County Code:  34/011

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 New Jersey:    34   1779795
Cumberland County:    34/011   882275
Centre Grove:    34/11770   875356

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 Centre Grove, it is a point within Centre Grove 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 Centre Grove, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   39° 21' 23"   (or 39.36°)

Lon:   -75° 7' 18"   (or -75.12°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Centre Grove is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Centre Grove is located in Division #2 (the Middle Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Centre Grove is located in Region II (Region 2).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Centre Grove is located in Region II (Region 2).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #875356   (Name of Record: Centre Grove)

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: Cumberland

Map Name: Dividing Creek

Lat: 39.3565037       Lon: -75.1218489  

Elev: 21 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 34/11770   (Place Name: Centre Grove)

County: Cumberland     (FIPS State/County: 34/011)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Centre Grove) 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: 8760