The FIPS code 36061 corresponds to New York County, which is commonly known as the borough of Manhattan in New York City.
Understanding FIPS Codes
FIPS codes, or Federal Information Processing Standard codes, are a standardized series of numeric and alphabetic codes used by the U.S. government to uniquely identify geographic entities such as states, counties, and statistical areas. These codes are essential for various data collection, analysis, and statistical reporting purposes across federal agencies.
- Structure of County FIPS Codes: County FIPS codes are five-digit numbers. The first two digits represent the state code, and the last three digits represent the specific county within that state.
- For 36061:
- 36 is the FIPS code for New York State.
- 061 is the FIPS code for New York County within New York State.
- For 36061:
New York County (Manhattan)
New York County is one of the 62 counties in the state of New York and is synonymous with the island borough of Manhattan. It is the most densely populated borough of New York City and a major commercial, financial, and cultural center. While the name "Manhattan" is widely used by the public, official government and statistical data often refer to it by its county name, New York County, identified by its FIPS code 36061.
| FIPS Code | State | County Name | Associated NYC Borough |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36061 | New York | New York County | Manhattan |
Importance of FIPS Codes
FIPS codes play a crucial role in:
- Data Standardization: Ensuring uniformity when collecting and sharing geographic data across different government agencies and research institutions.
- Mapping and GIS: Facilitating the creation of accurate maps and geographic information systems (GIS) by providing unique identifiers for administrative boundaries.
- Statistical Analysis: Enabling researchers and policymakers to analyze demographic, economic, and social trends at precise geographic levels.
Understanding these codes is vital for anyone working with U.S. governmental or statistical data, providing a clear and unambiguous way to refer to specific locations. For more details on FIPS codes, you can consult official sources like the U.S. Census Bureau.
