FIPS Codes FAQ: Understanding Geographic Identification with BigDataCloud API

What are FIPS codes?

FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) codes are a set of numeric codes used to uniquely identify geographic areas within the United States. They were developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to ensure consistent identification of states, counties, and other geographic entities in computer systems and databases. The number of digits in FIPS codes varies depending on the level of geography.

Where can I find FIPS code output using BigDataCloud API?

You can find FIPS code output on the following BigDataCloud API endpoints:

IP GEOLOCATION PACKAGE :

• IP Address Geolocation API
• IP Address Geolocation with Confidence Area API
• IP Address Geolocation with Confidence Area and Hazard Report API

REVERSE GEOCODING API PACKAGE :

• Reverse Geocoding to City API
• Reverse Geocoding with Timezone API

FREE API PACKAGE :

• FREE Client Side Reverse Geocoding to City API

Please note that the FIPS object output is only available for locations within the United States and will be omitted for locations outside of the US.

Can you provide an example of the FIPS object output?

Sure! Here's an example of the FIPS object output for a location in Pasadena, Harris County, TX, US:

"fips": {
    "state": "48",
    "county": "201",
    "countySubdivision": "92975",
    "place": "56000"
}

What does each field in the FIPS object represent?

• "state": This field returns the FIPS code for the state. In the example above, "48" is the FIPS code for Texas.
• "county": This field returns the FIPS code for the county. The code is typically a 5-digit number where the first 2 digits represent the state code. However, for greater flexibility, we provide the county code separately, making it 3 digits only. To obtain a 5-digit county code, simply combine the "state" and "county" outcomes.
• "countySubdivision": This field returns the FIPS code for the county subdivision. For example, "92975" is the code for Pasadena CCD, Harris County, TX.
• "place": This field returns the FIPS code for places, such as cities or towns. For instance, "56000" is the code for Pasadena City, Harris County, TX.

Can I convert the FIPS code to an integer?

No, the FIPS code is a string of numbers, not an integer. Please do not convert it to an integer as leading zeroes will be dropped, invalidating the code.

How do FIPS codes relate to GEOID codes?

FIPS codes have been gradually replaced by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) codes and the Census Bureau's GEOID codes, which are more commonly used for geographic identification purposes now. However, the BigDataCloud API returns FIPS codes, which can be matched to GEOID codes with a little effort when required.

Can you provide an example of how FIPS codes can be matched to GEOID codes?

Certainly! Here's an example of how the above FIPS outcome for Pasadena City, Harris County, TX, can be matched to GEOID codes:

GEOID Structure	Number of Digits	Example Geographic Area	Example GEOID
STATE	2	Texas	48
STATE+COUNTY	2+3=5	Harris County, TX	48201
STATE+COUNTY+COUSUB	2+3+5=10	Pasadena CCD, Harris County, TX	4820192975
STATE+PLACE	2+5=7	Pasadena City, TX	4856000

We hope this clarifies any questions you may have about FIPS codes and their usage with BigDataCloud API. If you have any further inquiries, feel free to reach out to us!