TIGER Census Feature Class Codes

TIGER/Line File Census Feature Class Codes (CFCC)

Feature Class A, Road

Primary Highway With Limited Access Interstate highways and some toll highways are in this category (A1) and are distinguished by the presence of interchanges.

A11 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated
A12 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, in tunnel
A13 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated,underpassing
A14 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, unseparated, with rail line in center
A15 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated
A16 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, in tunnel
A17 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, underpassing
A18 Primary road with limited access or interstate highway, separated, with rail line in center

Primary Road Without Limited Access This category (A2) includes nationally and regionally important highways that do not have limited access as required by category A1. It consists mainly of US highways, but may include some state highways and county highways that connect cities and larger towns. A road in this category must be hard-surface (concrete or asphalt). It has intersections with other roads, may be divided or undivided, and have multi-lane or single-lane characteristics.

A21 Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated
A22 Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, in tunnel
A23 Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, underpassing
A24 Primary road without limited access, US highways, unseparated, with rail line in center
A25 Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated
A26 Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, in tunnel
A27 Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, underpassing
A28 Primary road without limited access, US highways, separated, with rail line in center

Secondary and Connecting Road This category (A3) includes mostly state highways, but may include some county highways that connect smaller towns, subdivisions, and neighborhoods. The roads in this category generally are smaller than roads in Category A2, must be hard- surface (concrete or asphalt), and are usually undivided with single-lane characteristics. These roads usually have a local name along with a route number and intersect with many other roads and driveways.

A31 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, unseparated
A32 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, unseparated, in tunnel
A33 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, unseparated, underpassing
A34 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, unseparated, with rail line in center
A35 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, separated
A36 Secondary and connecting road, state highways, separated, in tunnel
A37 Secondary and connecting road, state and county highways, separated, underpassing
A38 Secondary and connecting road, state and county highway, separated, with rail line in center

Local, Neighborhood, and Rural Road A road in this category (A4) is used for local traffic and usually has a single lane of traffic in each direction. In an urban area, this is a neighborhood road and street that is not a thoroughfare belonging in categories A2 or A3. In a rural area, this is a short-distance road connecting the smallest towns; the road may or may not have a state or county route number. Scenic park roads, unimproved or unpaved roads, and industrial roads are included in this category. Most roads in the Nation are classified as A4 roads.

A41 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated
A42 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, in tunnel
A43 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, underpassing
A44 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, unseparated, with rail line in center
A45 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated
A46 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, in tunnel
A47 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, underpassing
A48 Local, neighborhood, and rural road, city street, separated, with rail line in center

Vehicular Trail A road in this category (A5) is usable only by four-wheel drive vehicles, is usually a one-lane dirt trail, and is found almost exclusively in very rural areas. Sometimes the road is called a fire road or logging road and may include an abandoned railroad grade where the tracks have been removed. Minor, unpaved roads usable by ordinary cars and trucks belong in category A4, not A5.

A51 Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated
A52 Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, in tunnel
A53 Vehicular trail, road passable only by 4WD vehicle, unseparated, underpassing

Road with Special Characteristics This category (A6) includes roads, portions of a road, intersections of a road, or the ends of a road that are parts of the vehicular highway system and have separately identifiable characteristics.

A60 Special road feature, major category used when the minor category could not be determined
A61 Cul-de-sac, the closed end of a road that forms a loop or turn-around
A62 Traffic circle, the portion of a road or intersection of roads forming a roundabout
A63 Access ramp, the portion of a road that forms a cloverleaf or limited-access interchange
A64 Service drive, the road or portion of a road that provides access to businesses, facilities, and rest areas along a limited-access highway; this frontage road may intersect other roads and be named
A65 Ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water that connects roads on opposite shores; used by ships carrying automobiles or people

Road as Other Thoroughfare A road in this category (A7) is not part of the vehicular highway system. It is used by bicyclists or pedestrians, and is typically inaccessible to mainstream motor traffic except for private-owner and service vehicles. This category includes foot and hiking trails located on park and forest land, as well as stairs or walkways that follow a road right-of-way and have names similar to road names.

A70 Other thoroughfare, major category used when the minor category could not be determined
A71 Walkway or trail for pedestrians, usually unnamed
A72 Stairway, stepped road for pedestrians, usually unnamed
A73 Alley, road for service vehicles, usually unnamed, located at the rear of buildings and property
A74 Driveway or service road, usually privately owned and unnamed, used as access to residences, trailer parks, and apartment complexes, or as access to logging areas, oil rigs, ranches, farms, and park lands

Feature Class B, Railroad

Railroad Main Line A railroad in this category is the primary track that provides service between destinations. A main line track often carries the name of the owning and operating railroad company.

B11 Railroad main track, not in tunnel or underpassing
B12 Railroad main track, in tunnel
B13 Railroad main track, underpassing

Railroad Spur A railroad in this category is the track that leaves the main track, ending in an industrial park, factory, or warehouse area, or forming a siding along the main track.

B21 Railroad spur track, not in tunnel or underpassing
B22 Railroad spur track, in tunnel
B23 Railroad spur track, underpassing

Railroad Yard A railroad yard track has parallel tracks that form a working area for the railroad company. Train cars and engines are repaired, switched, and dispatched from a yard.

B31 Railroad yard track, not in tunnel or underpassing
B32 Railroad yard track, in tunnel
B33 Railroad yard track, underpassing

Railroad with Special Characteristics A railroad or portions of a rail- road track that are parts of the railroad system and have separately identifiable characteristics.

B40 Railroad ferry crossing, the representation of a route over water used by ships carrying train cars to connecting railroads on opposite shores. These are primarily located on the Great Lakes.

Railroad as Other Thoroughfare A rail line that is not part of the rail- road system. This category is for a specialized rail line or railway that is typically inaccessible to mainstream railroad traffic.

B50 Other rail line; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
B51 Carline, a track for streetcars, trolleys, and other mass transit rail systems; used when the carline is not part of the road right-of-way
B52 Cog railroad, incline railway, or logging tram

Feature Class C, Miscellaneous Ground Transportation

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Category Unknown Source materials do not allow determination of the miscellaneous ground transportation category.

C00 Miscellaneous ground transportation, not road or railroad; major and minor categories unknown

Pipeline Enclosed pipe, carrying fluid or slurry, situated above ground, or in special conditions, below ground when marked by a cleared right-of-way and signage.

C10 Pipeline; major category used alone

Power Transmission Line High voltage electrical line, on towers, situated on cleared right-of-way.

C20 Power transmission line; major category used alone

Miscellaneous Ground Transportation With Special Characteristics A portion of a ground transportation system that has separately identifiable characteristics. This category is for specialized transportation, usually confined to a local area, that is separate from other ground transportation.

C30 Other ground transportation that is not a pipeline or a power transmission line; major category used alone when minor category could not be determined
C31 Aerial tramway, monorail, or ski lift

Feature Class D, Landmark

Landmark is the general name given to a cartographic (or locational) landmark, a land-use area, and a key geographic location (KGL). A cartographic landmark is identified for use by an enumerator while working in the field. A land-use area is identified in order to minimize enumeration efforts in uninhabited areas or areas where human access is restricted. A key geographic location is identified in order to more accurately geocode and enumerate a place of work or residence.

Landmark With Category Unknown Source materials do not allow determination of the landmark category.

D00 Landmark; major and minor categories unknown Military Installation Base, yard, or depot used by the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, the Coast Guard, or the National Guard. With the exception of the Coast Guard which is administered by the Department of Transportation, and the National Guard which is administered by states, these areas are administered by the U.S. Department of Defense.

D10 Military installation or reservation; major category used alone

Multi-household or Transient Quarters

D20 Multi-household or transient quarters; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D21 Apartment building or complex
D22 Rooming or boarding house
D23 Trailer court or mobile home park
D24 Marina
D25 Crew-of-vessel area
D26 Housing facility for workers
D27 Hotel, motel, resort, spa, hostel, YMCA, or YWCA
D28 Campground
D29 Shelter or mission

Custodial Facility This category includes institutions that have personnel such as guards, nurses, and caretakers to preserve the welfare of those individuals resident in the facility.

D30 Custodial facility; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D31 Hospital
D32 Halfway house
D33 Nursing home, retirement home, or home for the aged
D34 County home or poor farm
D35 Orphanage
D36 Jail or detention center
D37 Federal penitentiary, state prison, or prison farm

Educational or Religious Institution

D40 Educational or religious institution; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D41 Sorority or fraternity
D42 Convent or monastery
D43 Educational institution, including academy, school, college, and university
D44 Religious institution, including church, synagogue, seminary, temple, and mosque

Transportation Terminal The facility where transportation equipment is stored, the destination for travel on the transportation system, or the intermodal connection facility between transportation systems.

D50 Transportation terminal; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D51 Airport or airfield
D52 Train station
D53 Bus terminal
D54 Marine terminal
D55 Seaplane anchorage
D57 Airport - Statistical Representation used as part of urban area delineation where major airports are contiguous with urban areas

Employment Center This category includes locations with high-density employment.

D60 Employment center; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D61 Shopping center or major retail center
D62 Industrial building or industrial park
D63 Office building or office park
D64 Amusement center
D65 Government center
D66 Other employment center

Tower

D70 Tower; major category used alone when minor category could not be determined
D71 Lookout tower

Open Space This category contains areas of open space with no inhabitants, or with inhabitants restricted to known sites within the area.

D80 Open space; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D81 Golf course
D82 Cemetery
D83 National Park Service land
D84 National forest or other Federal land
D85 State or local park or forest

Special Purpose Landmark This category includes landmarks not otherwise classified.

D90 Special purpose landmark; major category used alone when the minor category could not be determined
D91 Post office
D92 Urbanizacion, an identifiable community development in Puerto Rico
D93 Fire Department
D94 Police Station
D95 Library
D96 City/Town Hall

Feature Class E, Physical Feature

Physical Feature With Category Unknown Source materials do not allow determination of the physical feature category.

E00 Physical feature, tangible but not transportation or hydrographic; major and minor categories unknown

Fence This category describes a fence that separates property. For example, a fence around a military reservation or prison separates the reservation from civilian land. Thus, a fence line is a property line marked by a fence.

E10 Fence line locating a visible and permanent fence between separately identified property

Topographic Feature This category refers to topographical features that may be used as boundaries or as a reference for an area. The Census TIGER database contains topographic features used to define the limits of statistical entities in locations where no other visible feature can be identified.

E20 Topographic feature; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
E21 Ridge line, the line of highest elevation of a linear mountain
E22 Mountain peak, the point of highest elevation of a mountain
E23 Island, identified by name
E24 Levee, an embankment, as of earth or concrete, used to prevent a river or other body of water from overflowing

Feature Class F, Nonvisible Features

Nonvisible features are used to delimit tabulation entities, property areas, and legal and administrative entities. The U.S. Census Bureau separately identifies nonvisible boundaries only when they do not follow a visible feature such as a road, stream, or ridge line.

Nonvisible Boundary With Classification Unknown or Not Elsewhere Classified

F00 Nonvisible boundary; major and minor categories unknown

Nonvisible Legal Entity Boundary

F10 Nonvisible jurisdictional boundary of a legal or administrative entity
F11 Offset boundary of a legal entity
F12 Corridor boundary of a legal entity
F13 Nonvisible superseded 2000 governmental unit boundary
F14 Superseded 1990 legal boundary
F15 Superseded 1990 legal boundary, corrected through post census process
F16 Superseded legal boundary, current at the time of the 1997 Economic Census
F17 Nonvisible State Legislative District boundary
F18 Nonvisible Congressional District boundary
F19 Nonvisible corrected 2000 governmental unit boundary

Nonvisible Features for Database Topology This category contains various types of nonvisible lines used to maintain the topology in the Census TIGER database.

F20 Nonvisible feature for database topology; major category used when the minor category could not be determined F21 Automated feature extension to lengthen existing physical feature
F22 Irregular feature extension, determined manually, to lengthen existing physical feature
F23 Closure extension to complete database topological closure between extremely close features (used to close small gaps between complete chains and create polygons to improve block labeling on cartographic products)
F24 Nonvisible separation line used with offset and corridor boundaries
F25 Nonvisible centerline of area enclosed by corridor boundary

Point-to-Point Line

F30 Point-to-point line, follows a line of sight and should not cross any visible feature; for example, from the end of a road to a mountain peak

Property Line

F40 Property line, nonvisible boundary of either public or private lands, e.g., a park boundary

ZIP Code Tabulation Boundary

F50 ZIP Code tabulation boundary, used in delineating ZIP Code Tabulation Areas

Nonvisible Statistical Boundary

F70 Statistical boundary; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
F71 1980 statistical boundary
F72 1990 statistical boundary; used to hold 1990 collection and tabulation census block boundaries not represented by existing physical features
F73 Internal U.S. Census Bureau use F74 1990 statistical boundary; used to hold a 1990 tabulation census block boundary not represented by an existing physical feature
F80 Nonvisible other tabulation boundary; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
F81 School district boundary
F82 Internal U.S. Census Bureau use
F83 Census 2000 collection block boundary; used to hold Census 2000 collection block boundaries not represented by existing physical features
F84 Census 2000 statistical area boundary; used to hold Census 2000 statistical area boundaries not represented by existing physical features
F85 Census 2000 tabulation block boundary; used to hold Census 2000 tabulation block boundaries not represented by existing physical features
F86 Internal U.S. Census Bureau use
F87 Oregon urban growth area boundary
F88 Current statistical area boundary

Feature Class G, U.S. Census Bureau Usage

The U.S. Census Bureau uses this feature class for internal programs.

Feature Class H, Hydrography

Basic Hydrography This category includes shorelines of all water regard-less of the classification of the water itself.

H00 Water feature, classification unknown or not elsewhere classified
H01 Shoreline of perennial water feature
H02 Shoreline of intermittent water feature

Naturally Flowing Water Features

H11 Perennial stream or river
H12 Intermittent stream, river, or wash
H13 Braided stream or river

Man-Made Channel to Transport Water These features are used for purposes such as transportation, irrigation, or navigation.

H21 Perennial canal, ditch, or aqueduct
H22 Intermittent canal, ditch, or aqueduct

Inland Body of Water

H30 Lake or pond; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
H31 Perennial lake or pond
H32 Intermittent lake or pond

Man-Made Body of Water

H40 Reservoir; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
H41 Perennial reservoir
H42 Intermittent reservoir

Seaward Body of Water

H50 Bay, estuary, gulf, sound, sea, or ocean; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
H51 Bay, estuary, gulf, or sound
H53 Sea or ocean

Body of Water in a Man-Made Excavation

H60 Gravel pit or quarry filled with water

Nonvisible Definition Between Water Bodies

The U.S. Census Bureau digitizes nonvisible definition boundaries to separate named water areas; for instance, an artificial boundary is drawn to separate a named river from the connecting bay.

H70 Nonvisible water area definition boundary; used to separate named water areas and as the major category when the minor category could not be determined
H71 USGS closure line; used as a maritime shoreline
H72 Census water center line; computed to use as a median positional boundary
H73 Census water boundary, international in waterways or at 10-mile limit; used as an area measurement line
H74 Census water boundary separating inland from coastal or Great Lakes; used as an area measurement line
H75 Census water boundary separating coastal water from territorial sea
H80 Special water feature; major category used when the minor category could not be determined
H81 Glacier

Feature Class P, Provisional Features

The U.S. Census Bureau has created a new CFCC type that may appear on street features only. Some streets that normally would be classified as "A" class features may be coded with a "P" instead of the "A" to indicate that the feature is a "provisional" feature. Provisional features are those streets that were added from reference sources or other programs in preparation for Census 2000, but were not field verified by census staff during field operations or through the use of aerial photography or imagery. As these features are verified in future operations the provisional flag will be removed for subsequent TIGER/Line releases. The numeric portion of the CFCC still classifies the street as if an "A" were preceding it.

Feature Class X, Not Yet Classified

Classification Unknown or Not Elsewhere Classified

X00 Feature not yet classified
All complete chains, landmarks, and key geographic locations have a code representing their census feature class. Only those GT-polygons associated with an area landmark have a CFCC. Most CFCCs in the feature classification scheme apply only to complete chains. In a few instances, the same feature code may apply to complete chains as well as to point and area landmarks.

Only those features required for census operational purposes are classified and inserted into the Census TIGER database. Therefore, not all features in a county will appear in the TIGER/Line files. Since features are classified with only a single code, a road that also is a boundary will have only the CFCC of a road even though a CFCC for a boundary exists in the classification scheme.

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