GEOGRAPHIC CODE OUTLINE


The following pages show in detail the geographic codes used by the Division
of Vital Statistics in the processing of vital event data occurring in the
United States.  When an event occurs to a nonresident of the United States,
residence data are coded only to the "State" level; several western
hemisphere countries of Vital Statistics codes, the Federal Information
Processing Standards (FIPS) codes are shown for several items.  Both sets of
codes appear on the vital event public-use files.  The Metropolitan
Statistical Area codes are effective with the 1990 data year and are based on
the 1990 Census.  All other codes are effective with the 1982 data year and
are based on results of the 1980 Census.

To aid the user in interpreting the geographic codes, a brief explanation of
the codes and of the column headings/abbreviations shown on the following
pages are:

State (St):  Each state and the District of Columbia are numbered
alphabetically.  In addition, several unique codes are used to identify
nonresidents of the U.S.

County (Cnty):  Counties and county equivalents (independent and coextensive
cities) are numbered alphabetically within each State.

MSA:  Metropolitan statistical areas are those established by the U.S. Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) using 1990 Census population counts.  For New
England, the New England County Metropolitan Areas (NECMA) are used.

M/NM:  Metropolitan counties (code 1) are component counties of SMSA's. 
Nonmetropolitan counties (code 2) are not part of any SMSA.

City:  Cities are numbered alphabetically within each State and identify each
city with a population of 10,000 or more in 1980.

P/S:  Population size code for city of residence based on the 1980 Census. 
Refer to the code outline given earlier in this document for specific codes
and meanings.  

Name:  Each State, county, and city name is listed along with its respective
code.  In addition, places used to identify nonresidents of the U.S. are also
listed along with their codes.

FIPS:  For an explanation of FIPS codes, reference should be made to various
National Bureau of Standards (NBS) publications.

So!  How do I find Yavapai county, Arizona; or Tupelo city, Mississippi?

Since counties and cities are numbered within State, the State and county or
the State and city codes must be used to select these areas.  It is most
helpful if the county is known when looking for a particular city since areas
are shown by State, county, and city.

Yavapai county, Arizona - State and county codes 03 013.

Tupelo, Mississippi - State and city codes 25 025 or State, county, city
codes 25 041 025.
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