Answered By: Bobray Bordelon
Last Updated: Mar 08, 2024     Views: 1046

FIPS codes and GNIS identifiers are used to identify geography.  FIPS codes are the most commonly used but there are exceptions. In addition there are other commonly used identifiers such as The American Indian Areas codes assigned by the Census Bureau. The school district codes provide the local education agency numbers assigned by the U.S. Department of Education and voting districts include codes assigned by the states.

The county part of a FIPS code is 3 digits.  A full FIPS code that includes county is 5 digits (first 2 designate state; last 3 county). 
 
With IPUMS use the State FIPS Code and combine with the first 3 of the county. 4th digit in county designates change.  See
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