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Why are there no ZIP Codes in the Geographic Names Information System Database?

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) contains named communities--both incorporated and unincorporated--but these communities do not necessarily correspond to ZIP Code areas. ZIP Codes are unofficial entities developed and maintained by the U.S. Postal Service solely for delivering mail.

ZIP Code areas are named by the Post Office for the preferred location within that zone, which might or might not have any reference to the local community or its boundaries. Despite ZIP Codes appearing to have a geographic location, they might not correspond to a physical location.

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GIS data layers visualization

How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?

Download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data using the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. Query the database for official geographic feature names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data. Display, print, and download up to 2,000 records from a query.GNIS data can also be downloaded via The National Map Downloader. Define an area of interest on the map, then put a...

link

How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?

Download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data using the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. Query the database for official geographic feature names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data. Display, print, and download up to 2,000 records from a query.GNIS data can also be downloaded via The National Map Downloader. Define an area of interest on the map, then put a...

Learn More
link
Image: Rocky Mountain National Park

What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

link

What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

Learn More
link
Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands

How are U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths designated in the Geographic Names Information System?

Several categories with different meanings and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the United States and are contained in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data.States and DC50 States plus the Federal District known as District of ColumbiaCommonwealthsPuerto Rico (Caribbean)Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific) (former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite...

link

How are U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths designated in the Geographic Names Information System?

Several categories with different meanings and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the United States and are contained in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data.States and DC50 States plus the Federal District known as District of ColumbiaCommonwealthsPuerto Rico (Caribbean)Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific) (former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite...

Learn More
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Map showing CASC regions

What are the official definitions of regions in the United States. For example, what is "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?

No level of government has official designations for regions. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is responsible by law for standardizing geographic name usage throughout the Federal government, is often asked for official names and boundaries of regions, but does not and cannot provide them.Regions are application-driven and highly susceptible to perception. Individuals might agree on the...

link

What are the official definitions of regions in the United States. For example, what is "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?

No level of government has official designations for regions. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is responsible by law for standardizing geographic name usage throughout the Federal government, is often asked for official names and boundaries of regions, but does not and cannot provide them.Regions are application-driven and highly susceptible to perception. Individuals might agree on the...

Learn More
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Photograph of the city of Fort Collins, CO with mountain in the background

What is the most common city/town name in the United States?

There are no official definitions of city, town, village, hamlet, neighborhood, etc. All named entities with human habitation are classified as Populated Place, including incorporated places (20 percent of the Nation's communities), unincorporated places (the majority), housing developments not yet incorporated, and neighborhoods within incorporated places.The most frequently occurring community...

link

What is the most common city/town name in the United States?

There are no official definitions of city, town, village, hamlet, neighborhood, etc. All named entities with human habitation are classified as Populated Place, including incorporated places (20 percent of the Nation's communities), unincorporated places (the majority), housing developments not yet incorporated, and neighborhoods within incorporated places.The most frequently occurring community...

Learn More
muddy Willamette River
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The National Map - geographic names

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the territories and outlying areas of the United States, including Antarctica. It is the geographic names component of Th

Geographic Names Information System

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Mapping Yorktown

If urban legend is correct, the world turned upside down on October 19, 1781. The Patriots defeated the British at the Siege of Yorktown, paving the...

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Highest Point East of Rockies Gets New Name

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Old Name Officially Returns to Nation's Highest Peak

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  • FAQ
    link
    GIS data layers visualization

    How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?

    Download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data using the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. Query the database for official geographic feature names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data. Display, print, and download up to 2,000 records from a query.GNIS data can also be downloaded via The National Map Downloader. Define an area of interest on the map, then put a...

    link

    How can I acquire or download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data?

    Download Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data using the U.S. Board on Geographic Names website. Query the database for official geographic feature names, their location attributes, variant names, and other data. Display, print, and download up to 2,000 records from a query.GNIS data can also be downloaded via The National Map Downloader. Define an area of interest on the map, then put a...

    Learn More
    link
    Image: Rocky Mountain National Park

    What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

    The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

    link

    What is the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS)?

    The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) was developed by the U.S.Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), which maintains cooperative working relationships with state names authorities to standardize geographic names. GNIS contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia...

    Learn More
    link
    Trunk Bay, US Virgin Islands

    How are U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths designated in the Geographic Names Information System?

    Several categories with different meanings and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the United States and are contained in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data.States and DC50 States plus the Federal District known as District of ColumbiaCommonwealthsPuerto Rico (Caribbean)Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific) (former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite...

    link

    How are U.S. states, territories, and commonwealths designated in the Geographic Names Information System?

    Several categories with different meanings and requirements fall under the jurisdiction of the United States and are contained in the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) data.States and DC50 States plus the Federal District known as District of ColumbiaCommonwealthsPuerto Rico (Caribbean)Northern Marianas Islands (Pacific) (former Trust Territory of the United Nations elected by plebiscite...

    Learn More
    link
    Map showing CASC regions

    What are the official definitions of regions in the United States. For example, what is "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?

    No level of government has official designations for regions. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is responsible by law for standardizing geographic name usage throughout the Federal government, is often asked for official names and boundaries of regions, but does not and cannot provide them.Regions are application-driven and highly susceptible to perception. Individuals might agree on the...

    link

    What are the official definitions of regions in the United States. For example, what is "the Midwest," "the South," or the “East Coast”?

    No level of government has official designations for regions. The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, which is responsible by law for standardizing geographic name usage throughout the Federal government, is often asked for official names and boundaries of regions, but does not and cannot provide them.Regions are application-driven and highly susceptible to perception. Individuals might agree on the...

    Learn More
    link
    Photograph of the city of Fort Collins, CO with mountain in the background

    What is the most common city/town name in the United States?

    There are no official definitions of city, town, village, hamlet, neighborhood, etc. All named entities with human habitation are classified as Populated Place, including incorporated places (20 percent of the Nation's communities), unincorporated places (the majority), housing developments not yet incorporated, and neighborhoods within incorporated places.The most frequently occurring community...

    link

    What is the most common city/town name in the United States?

    There are no official definitions of city, town, village, hamlet, neighborhood, etc. All named entities with human habitation are classified as Populated Place, including incorporated places (20 percent of the Nation's communities), unincorporated places (the majority), housing developments not yet incorporated, and neighborhoods within incorporated places.The most frequently occurring community...

    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    muddy Willamette River
    link
  • Publications

    The National Map - geographic names

    The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN), contains information about the official names for places, features, and areas in the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the territories and outlying areas of the United States, including Antarctica. It is the geographic names component of Th

    Geographic Names Information System

  • News
    link

    Mapping Yorktown

    If urban legend is correct, the world turned upside down on October 19, 1781. The Patriots defeated the British at the Siege of Yorktown, paving the...

    Read Article
    link

    Highest Point East of Rockies Gets New Name

    Black Elk Peak replaces Harney Peak in federal records

    Read Article
    link

    Old Name Officially Returns to Nation's Highest Peak

    The story of America is told by the names on the land. When you hear names like Kentucky and Kennesaw, Klamath and Kodiak, your mind immediately...

    Read Article