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 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 Kanawha Head: 1554843

GNIS ID for Upshur County: 1696800

GNIS ID for West Virginia: 1779805

FIPS Codes ...

In a past effort, various federal agencies created 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 Kanawha Head:

Place (Community) Code:	42508
State Code:	54 (West Virginia)
County Code:	097 (Upshur 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:	54/42508
State/County Code:	54/097

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 West Virginia:	54		1779805
Upshur County:	54/097		1696800
Kanawha Head:	54/42508		1554843

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

Lat:   38° 46' 22"   (or 38.77°)

Lon:   -80° 20' 47"   (or -80.35°)  

Regional Codes ...

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

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

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

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Kanawha Head 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 community like Kanawha Head, it does identify addresses that are in (or near) Kanawha Head. 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 Kanawha Head: 26228<1>

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1554843   (Name of Record: Kanawha Head)

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: Upshur

Map Name: Rock Cave

Lat: 38.77288       Lon: -80.3464719  

Elev: 517 ft.

Referenced FIPS Records ...

FIPS Code: 54/42508   (Place Name: Kanawha Head)

County: Upshur     (FIPS State/County: 54/097)

Class: U6

Identifies a populated place (ie- Kanawha Head) 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: 1346

Off-the-Road Links ...

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

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