Frequently asked questions
What is a FIPS code used for?
FIPS codes appear on US Census Bureau data, CDC health statistics, federal grant applications, USDA reports, tax documents, geographic information systems (GIS), epidemiological tracking, and countless government databases. They provide a standardised numeric ID so different agencies can reliably match data about the same location.
How is a county FIPS code structured?
A 5-digit county FIPS code is the 2-digit state FIPS code followed by a 3-digit county code. For example Los Angeles County, California is 06 (California) + 037 = 06037. The county portion is assigned in rough alphabetical order within each state.
Are FIPS codes the same as ZIP codes?
No. ZIP codes are postal routing codes assigned by USPS and can cross county and state lines. FIPS codes are strictly geographic and administrative — one FIPS code per county, no overlaps.
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