BEA Regional Economic Data and FIPS Codes
The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes GDP, personal income, and employment data at the county and metro level. Here's how to work with BEA's FIPS-based geography.
Articles
Guides and deep-dives on FIPS codes, federal datasets, and geographic data workflows.
ACS 5-Year Estimates: Accessing Census Data by FIPS Code
The American Community Survey 5-year estimates are the gold standard for county-level demographic data. Here's how to access them using FIPS codes via the Census API.
FIPS Codes in Tableau and Power BI: Geographic Mapping Guide
Tableau and Power BI both support FIPS code–based county mapping. Here's how to get your data onto a map correctly using FIPS codes as the geographic key.
CDC WONDER and FIPS Codes: Health Data by Geography
The CDC WONDER database is one of the most comprehensive sources of county-level health and mortality data. Here's how it uses FIPS codes.
Congressional Districts and FIPS: CD Codes Explained
Congressional district codes follow a different format than state and county FIPS codes. Here's how they work and where they appear in federal data.
The FIPS Code Hierarchy: Nation → State → County → Tract
FIPS geographic codes form a strict hierarchy from the national level down to individual city blocks. Understanding that hierarchy is the key to working with Census and federal data.
Joining Federal Datasets on FIPS Codes: Common Pitfalls
FIPS codes are the universal join key for US government data — but there are several common mistakes that cause silent failures. Here's what to watch for.
King County, WA (FIPS 53033): A Data Professional's Profile
King County is the most populous county in Washington state and home to Seattle. Here's what the data shows about this major Pacific Northwest metro county.
HMDA Mortgage Data: Geographic Analysis with FIPS Codes
The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act dataset is one of the most granular public records of mortgage lending in the US. FIPS codes are the key to geographic analysis.
USDA Rural Classifications and FIPS Codes
The USDA's Rural-Urban Continuum Codes classify every US county on a 9-point scale from dense metro to completely rural. Here's how they use FIPS codes.
HUD Fair Market Rents: Finding Housing Data by County FIPS
HUD publishes Fair Market Rents for every county and metro area in the US. Here's how to navigate HUD's FIPS-based geography and what the data includes.
EPA Environmental Data and FIPS Geography
The EPA publishes air quality, toxic release, water quality, and environmental justice data at the county level using FIPS codes. Here's how to navigate it.