FIPS Code
Definition
Federal Information Processing Standards codes are numeric identifiers assigned to geographic entities (states, counties, cities) by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. State FIPS codes are 2 digits; county codes are 5 digits (state + county).
Why It Matters
FIPS codes are the standard way to uniquely identify geographic areas in government data. They enable linking data across different federal agencies and datasets.
How It's Measured
Assigned by NIST. State codes range from 01 (Alabama) to 56 (Wyoming). County codes append a 3-digit suffix to the state code.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Information Processing Standards codes are numeric identifiers assigned to geographic entities (states, counties, cities) by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. State FIPS codes are 2 digits; county codes are 5 digits (state + county).
FIPS codes are the standard way to uniquely identify geographic areas in government data. They enable linking data across different federal agencies and datasets.
Assigned by NIST. State codes range from 01 (Alabama) to 56 (Wyoming). County codes append a 3-digit suffix to the state code.