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 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 Grass Valley: 2410652
GNIS ID for Sherman County: 1135863
GNIS ID for Oregon: 1155107
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 Grass Valley:
| Place (Community) Code: | 30650 |
| State Code: | 41 (Oregon) |
| County Code: | 055 (Sherman 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: | 41/30650 |
| State/County Code: | 41/055 |
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 Oregon: | 41 | 1155107 | |
| Sherman County: | 41/055 | 1135863 | |
| Grass Valley: | 41/30650 | 2410652 |
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 Grass Valley, it is a point within Grass Valley 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 Grass Valley, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 45° 21' 33" (or 45.36°)
Lon: -120° 47' 2" (or -120.78°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Grass Valley - 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 Grass Valley, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 45° 21' 32" (or 45.36°)
Lon: -120° 47' 2" (or -120.78°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 69.1 feet to the southwest<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: 45° 21' 32" (or 45.36°)
Lon: -120° 47' 7" (or -120.79°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 345.9 feet 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. Grass Valley is located in Region #4 (the West Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Grass Valley is located in Division #9 (the Pacific Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Grass Valley is located in Region X (Region 10).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Grass Valley is located in Region X (Region 10).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1121305 (Name of Record: Grass Valley)
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: Sherman
Map Name: Grass Valley
Lat: 45.3601247 Lon: -120.7856114
Elev: 688 ft.
GNIS ID #2410652 (Name of Record: City of Grass Valley)
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: Sherman
Map Name: Grass Valley
Lat: 45.359211 Lon: -120.784
Elev: 691 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 41/30650 (Place Name: Grass Valley)
County: Sherman (FIPS State/County: 41/055)
Class: C1
Identifies an incorporated place (ie- Grass Valley) that does not serve as a primary county division - or in other words, it is included in and is part of a primary county division (ie- Sherman County).
GSA Code: 870
MRF Code: 460
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Grass Valley. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Sherman County: www.sherman-county.com/
The official website for State of Oregon: https://www.oregon.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)