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 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 Buffalo: 978764
GNIS ID for Erie County: 974113
GNIS ID for New York: 1779796
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 Buffalo:
| Place (Community) Code: | 11000 |
| State Code: | 36 (New York) |
| County Code: | 029 (Erie 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: | 36/11000 |
| State/County Code: | 36/029 |
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 York: | 36 | 1779796 | |
| Erie County: | 36/029 | 974113 | |
| Buffalo: | 36/11000 | 978764 |
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 Buffalo, it is a point within Buffalo 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 Buffalo, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 42° 53' 23" (or 42.89°)
Lon: -78° 51' 34" (or -78.86°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Buffalo - 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 Buffalo, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 42° 53' 32" (or 42.89°)
Lon: -78° 51' 34" (or -78.86°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 990 feet to the north<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: 42° 54' 16" (or 42.9°)
Lon: -78° 50' 57" (or -78.85°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 5,216 feet to the northeast<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. Buffalo is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Buffalo is located in Division #2 (the Middle Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Buffalo is located in Region II (Region 2).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Buffalo is located in Region II (Region 2).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #973345 (Name of Record: Buffalo)
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: Erie
Map Name: Buffalo NW
Lat: 42.8864468 Lon: -78.8783689
Elev: 183 ft.
GNIS ID #978764 (Name of Record: City of Buffalo)
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: Erie
Map Name: Buffalo NE
Lat: 42.8897802 Lon: -78.8594794
Elev: 185 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 36/11000 (Place Name: Buffalo)
County: Erie (FIPS State/County: 36/029)
Class: C5
GSA Code: 750
MRF Code: 450
MSA Code: 1280
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Buffalo: www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/
The official website for Erie County: www.erie.gov/
The official website for State of New York: https://www.ny.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)