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 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 Muskego: 1583775

GNIS ID for Waukesha County: 1581126

GNIS ID for Wisconsin: 1779806

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 Muskego:

Place (Community) Code:	55275
State Code:	55 (Wisconsin)
County Code:	133 (Waukesha 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:	55/55275
State/County Code:	55/133

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 Wisconsin:	55		1779806
Waukesha County:	55/133		1581126
Muskego:	55/55275		1583775

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

Lat:   42° 53' 28"   (or 42.89°)

Lon:   -88° 7' 22"   (or -88.12°)   [Map]

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

Lat:   42° 52' 16"   (or 42.87°)

Lon:   -88° 8' 3"   (or -88.13°)   [Map]

The map point defined by the Census Bureau lies 7,831 feet to the south<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:   42° 54' 4"   (or 42.9°)

Lon:   -88° 7' 28"   (or -88.12°)   [Map]

The GPS location given for the 2000 Census lies 2 miles to the north<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. Muskego is located in Region #2 (the Midwest Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Muskego is located in Division #3 (the East North-Central Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Muskego is located in Region V (Region 5).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Muskego is located in Region V (Region 5).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1570056   (Name of Record: Muskego)

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: Waukesha

Map Name: Muskego

Lat: 42.905848       Lon: -88.1389779   [Map]

Elev: 244 ft.

GNIS ID #1583775   (Name of Record: City of Muskego)

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: Waukesha

Map Name: Hales Corners

Lat: 42.8911262       Lon: -88.1228663   [Map]

Elev: 236 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 55/55275   (Place Name: Muskego)

County: Waukesha     (FIPS State/County: 55/133)

Class: C5

GSA Code: 3260

MRF Code: 1727

MSA Code: 5080

Off-the-Road Links ...

The official website for Muskego: www.ci.muskego.wi.us/

The official website for Waukesha County: www.waukeshacounty.gov/

The official website for State of Wisconsin: https://www.wisconsin.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)