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 identification 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 Dickson City: 1215319
GNIS ID for Lackawanna County: 1213675
GNIS ID for Pennsylvania: 1779798
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 Dickson City:
| Place (Community) Code: | 19160 |
| State Code: | 42 (Pennsylvania) |
| County Code: | 069 (Lackawanna 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: | 42/19160 |
| State/County Code: | 42/069 |
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 Pennsylvania: | 42 | 1779798 | |
| Lackawanna County: | 42/069 | 1213675 | |
| Dickson City: | 42/19160 | 1215319 |
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 Dickson City, it is a point within Dickson City 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 Dickson City, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 41° 27' 53" (or 41.46°)
Lon: -75° 37' 23" (or -75.62°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Dickson City - 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 Dickson City, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 41° 28' 6" (or 41.47°)
Lon: -75° 38' 8" (or -75.64°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 3,670 feet to the west<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: 41° 27' 57" (or 41.47°)
Lon: -75° 37' 31" (or -75.63°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 2,973 feet to the east<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. Dickson City is located in Region #1 (the Northeast Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Dickson City is located in Division #2 (the Middle Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Dickson City is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Dickson City is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1198654 (Name of Record: Dickson City)
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: Lackawanna
Map Name: Olyphant
Lat: 41.4714693 Lon: -75.607688
Elev: 234 ft.
GNIS ID #1215319 (Name of Record: Borough of Dickson City)
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: Lackawanna
Map Name: Olyphant
Lat: 41.4648023 Lon: -75.6232441
Elev: 252 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 42/19160 (Place Name: Dickson City)
County: Lackawanna (FIPS State/County: 42/069)
Class: C5
GSA Code: 1990
MRF Code: 2810
MSA Code: 7560
Off-the-Road Links ...
Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Dickson City. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.
The official website for Lackawanna County: www.lackawannacounty.org/
The official website for State of Pennsylvania: https://www.pa.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)