California Point Landmarks from 2023 TIGER/Line Data

U.S. Census Bureau provides a 2023 extract of point landmark features for California from its Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER) database. The dataset includes landmarks such as airports, cemeteries, parks, schools, and churches, designed for cartographic reference and field operations. It is part of a seamless national geographic file system.

Use Cases

• Geocode addresses or other spatial data using California point landmarks like airports or schools as reference features.
• Analyze the distribution of specific landmark types such as parks or cemeteries across California for urban planning.
• Combine this California state file with other TIGER/Line shapefiles to create a national map of point landmarks.
• Use the point landmark locations to validate or enrich other geographic datasets for the state of California.

Strengths

• Data originates from the authoritative U.S. Census Bureau Master Address File/TIGER Database (MTDB).
• Features are part of a seamless national geographic file with no overlaps or gaps in coverage.
• Contains specific landmark types useful for geographic reference, including airports, parks, and schools.

Limitations

• Landmarks were added on an as-needed basis; the dataset is not a complete inventory of all features.
• The presence or absence of a specific landmark does not indicate census enumeration status for associated living quarters.
• Data is provided as a standalone state extract; national analysis requires combining multiple files.

Provenance

Source

U.S. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce

Collection Method

Extract from the Master Address File / Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (MAF/TIGER) Database.

Time Range

2023

Freshness

Data reflects the 2023 TIGER/Line series, with metadata last updated in August 2025.

Geography

State of California, United States.