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 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 Snoqualmie Pass: 1852958

GNIS ID for Kittitas County: 1531926

GNIS ID for Washington: 1779804

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 Snoqualmie Pass:

Place (Community) Code:	65275
State Code:	53 (Washington)
County Code:	037 (Kittitas 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:	53/65275
State/County Code:	53/037

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 Washington:	53		1779804
Kittitas County:	53/037		1531926
Snoqualmie Pass:	53/65275		1852958

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

Lat:   47° 23' 32"   (or 47.39°)

Lon:   -121° 24' 0"   (or -121.4°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

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

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

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Snoqualmie Pass 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 Snoqualmie Pass, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Snoqualmie Pass. 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 Snoqualmie Pass: 98068<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1852958   (Name of Record: Snoqualmie Pass)

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: Kittitas

Map Name: Snoqualmie Pass

Lat: 47.3923346       Lon: -121.4000942  

Elev: 831 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 53/65275   (Place Name: Snoqualmie Pass (Recreational Area))

County: King     (FIPS State/County: 53/033      Count/Seq: 02/01)

Class: U8

Identifies a populated place (in this case, Snoqualmie Pass) located wholly or substantially outside the boundaries of an incorporated place or CDP (Census Designated Place) but whose name has not been verified as authoritative by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

GSA Code: 2042

MSA Code: 7600

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

The official website for Kittitas County: www.co.kittitas.wa.us/

The official website for State of Washington: https://access.wa.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)