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 code 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 Flat Rock: 1064655

GNIS ID for Seneca County: 1074086

GNIS ID for Ohio: 1085497

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 Flat Rock:

Place (Community) Code:	27356
State Code:	39 (Ohio)
County Code:	147 (Seneca 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:	39/27356
State/County Code:	39/147

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 Ohio:	39		1085497
Seneca County:	39/147		1074086
Flat Rock:	39/27356		1064655

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 Flat Rock, it is a point within Flat Rock 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 Flat Rock, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   41° 14' 9"   (or 41.24°)

Lon:   -82° 51' 36"   (or -82.86°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Flat Rock is located in Region #2 (the Midwest Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Flat Rock is located in Division #3 (the East North-Central Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Flat Rock is located in Region V (Region 5).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Flat Rock is located in Region V (Region 5).

ZIP Codes ...

While some people have used a ZIP code to identify a community, the purpose of the ZIP code was to make mail delivery more efficient by grouping addresses together. Although the ZIP Code doesn't specifically identify a community like Flat Rock, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Flat Rock. It's important to remember that the boundaries of a ZIP Code are defined by the needs of the USPS and can be changed, re-assigned or overlapped with other ZIP Codes.

The ZIP code for Flat Rock: 44828<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1064655   (Name of Record: Flat Rock)

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: Seneca

Map Name: Flat Rock

Lat: 41.2358873       Lon: -82.8601876  

Elev: 244 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 39/27356   (Place Name: Flat Rock)

County: Seneca     (FIPS State/County: 39/147)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Flat Rock) 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).

GSA Code: 2617

Off-the-Road Links ...

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Flat Rock. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Ohio: https://ohio.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)