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 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 Bedford: 1793650

GNIS ID for Virginia: 1779803

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

Lat:   37° 20' 3"   (or 37.33°)

Lon:   -79° 31' 23"   (or -79.52°)  

Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Bedford - 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 Bedford, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:

Lat:   37° 20' 17"   (or 37.34°)

Lon:   -79° 31' 14"   (or -79.52°)  

The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 1,563 feet to the northeast<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:   37° 20' 4"   (or 37.33°)

Lon:   -79° 31' 22"   (or -79.52°)  

The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 1,432 feet to the southwest<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. Bedford is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Bedford is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Bedford is located in Region III (Region 3).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Bedford is located in Region III (Region 3).

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 city like Bedford, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Bedford. 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 Bedford: 24523<3>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1498450   (Name of Record: Bedford)

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: Bedford (city)

Map Name: Bedford

Lat: 37.3343079       Lon: -79.5230877  

Elev: 306 ft.

GNIS ID #1793650   (Name of Record: City of Bedford)

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: Bedford (city)

Map Name: Bedford

Lat: 37.3343079       Lon: -79.5230877  

Elev: 306 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 51/05544   (Place Name: Bedford)

County: Bedford (city)     (FIPS State/County: 51/515)

Class: C7

GSA Code: 130

MRF Code: 75

MSA Code: 4640

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Bedford: www.ci.bedford.va.us/

The official website for State of Virginia: https://www.virginia.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)