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 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 South Bend: 1347405

GNIS ID for Young County: 1384037

GNIS ID for Texas: 1779801

FIPS Codes ...

In a past effort, various federal agencies worked together to create 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 South Bend:

Place (Community) Code:	68888
State Code:	48 (Texas)
County Code:	503 (Young 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:	48/68888
State/County Code:	48/503

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 Texas:	48		1779801
Young County:	48/503		1384037
South Bend:	48/68888		1347405

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 South Bend, it is a point within South Bend 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 South Bend, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   33° 0' 16"   (or 33°)

Lon:   -98° 40' 6"   (or -98.67°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. South Bend is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. South Bend is located in Division #7 (the West South-Central Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. South Bend is located in Region VI (Region 6).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. South Bend is located in Region VI (Region 6).

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 South Bend, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) South Bend. 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 South Bend: 76481<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1347405   (Name of Record: South Bend)

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: Young

Map Name: South Bend

Lat: 33.0045619       Lon: -98.6683934  

Elev: 318 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 48/68888   (Place Name: South Bend)

County: Young     (FIPS State/County: 48/503)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- South Bend) 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: 6482

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for State of Texas: https://texas.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)