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 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 Seal Rock: 1149192

GNIS ID for Lincoln County: 1135856

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 Seal Rock:

Place (Community) Code:	65850
State Code:	41 (Oregon)
County Code:	041 (Lincoln 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:	41/65850
State/County Code:	41/041

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
Lincoln County:	41/041		1135856
Seal Rock:	41/65850		1149192

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

Lat:   44° 29' 56"   (or 44.5°)

Lon:   -124° 5' 2"   (or -124.08°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Seal Rock is located in Region #4 (the West Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Seal Rock is located in Division #9 (the Pacific Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Seal Rock is located in Region X (Region 10).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Seal Rock is located in Region X (Region 10).

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 Seal Rock, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Seal 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 Seal Rock: 97376<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1149192   (Name of Record: Seal 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: Lincoln

Map Name: Waldport

Lat: 44.4990075       Lon: -124.084009  

Elev: 1 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 41/65850   (Place Name: Seal Rock)

County: Lincoln     (FIPS State/County: 41/041)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Seal 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: 1868

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Lincoln County: www.co.lincoln.or.us/

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)