Information Quality

Various Census Bureau products available on the Internet display the Governmental Unit Boundaries of states, counties, incorporated places, county subdivisions, American Indian areas, Alaska Native areas, and Hawaiian home lands. The Census Bureau collects these boundaries through the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS), which contacts the highest elected official (or designee) for changes to boundaries, the most common of which are annexations and detachments.

The boundaries shown on Census Bureau maps and in Census Bureau geographic products are for Census Bureau statistical data collection and tabulation purposes only; their depiction and designation for statistical purposes does not constitute a determination of jurisdictional authority or rights of ownership or entitlement. To seek a correction of boundary information, the affected person should contact the office of the highest elected official.

The highest elected official (or designee) should contact the Census Bureau using the BAS toll-free number (1-800-972-5651) or email (geo.bas@census.gov) to obtain the necessary forms and maps to report the correction, or they may report the correction when responding to the next BAS.