What is GIS?

In a nutshell, GIS is drawing points (fire hydrants, road signs), lines (roads, rivers), and polygons (property lines, buildings) in a geographic environment.  Then valuable data is attached to those drawings (owner name, address, valuations, etc…).  Then the drawings, or layers, are pulled together to form a map.  Finally, you can ask important questions of the map.  For example one could ask the question, “how many houses are in the Indian Creek flood zone and what is the total assessed valuation of those houses?”  If this technology intrigues you and you would like to learn more about the field of GIS then try out this link.

What does Pottawattamie County GIS do? 

Our primary function is to maintain the property lines for all properties owned in the county.  We assign a parcel number to each property.  Along with property lines there are hosts of other layers of data we maintain: lots, subdivisions, dimensions, roads, jurisdictions, environmental features, etc…  To see the list of layers we maintain click here.

It is not enough to simply draw the features.  They have to be delivered to you the user in a logical, easy-to-use application with tools that utilize the value of the geographic data.  These applications are available here.

What services do we provide?

Where can I get more details about the GIS Department at Pottawattamie County? Check out the links below: