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 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 Roanoke: 1498439
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 Roanoke, it is a point within Roanoke 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 Roanoke, the GNIS GPS location is given as:
Lat: 37° 16' 15" (or 37.27°)
Lon: -79° 56' 29" (or -79.94°)
Determined by its statistical needs, the Census Bureau has defined a sampling area for Roanoke - 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 Roanoke, the Census 2010 GPS location is given as:
Lat: 37° 16' 40" (or 37.28°)
Lon: -79° 57' 30" (or -79.96°)
The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 5,541 feet to the northwest<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° 16' 36" (or 37.28°)
Lon: -79° 57' 20" (or -79.96°)
The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 870 feet to the southeast<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. Roanoke is located in Region #3 (the South Region).
In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Roanoke is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Roanoke is located in Region III (Region 3).
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Roanoke is located in Region III (Region 3).
Referenced GNIS Records ...
GNIS ID #1498439 (Name of Record: City of Roanoke)
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: Roanoke (city)
Map Name: Roanoke
Lat: 37.2709704 Lon: -79.9414267
Elev: 285 ft.
GNIS ID #1499971 (Name of Record: Roanoke)
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: Roanoke (city)
Map Name: Roanoke
Lat: 37.2709704 Lon: -79.9414267
Elev: 285 ft.
Referenced FIPS Records ...
FIPS Code: 51/68000 (Place Name: Roanoke)
County: Roanoke (city) (FIPS State/County: 51/770)
Class: C7
GSA Code: 2100
MRF Code: 1045
MSA Code: 6800
Off-the-Road Links ...
The official website for Roanoke: www.roanokeva.gov/
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)