# Go to City-Data.com **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 15, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736 "2007-10-15T00:56:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/1 "2007-10-15T00:56:51Z")
…and scroll down until you see the search window, wherein you can input the city you want to lean more about. When I access that page, underneath the window is the sentence “For example, see Springfield, Illinois detailed profile.” Either Springfield is the default example, or it’s offering Springfield as an example because their server reads my I.P. address as coming from Springfield. So someone from a city other than Springfield, please log on and tell me what it offers as an example, so I can stop losing sleep about this. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/2 "2007-10-15T01:01:52Z")
You mean the field with the “Find City” button next to it? I don’t get a for example at all. This appears below: "Or browse by state (first link for each state is for cities with over 6000 residents, second is for smaller towns): " ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/3 "2007-10-15T01:02:32Z")
When I go there, I see Richmond, VA. This is not surprising. The site is obviously using data from your IP address to generate location-specific data. But, relax. That’s about as close as it can target you; and even that may not be entirely accurate, depending on the location of your ISP. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/4 "2007-10-15T01:14:31Z")
[QUOTE=Frank] You mean the field with the “Find City” button next to it? I don’t get a for example at all. This appears below: "Or browse by state (first link for each state is for cities with over 6000 residents, second is for smaller towns): " [/QUOTE] Probably because your IP is not from within the US. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/5 "2007-10-15T02:39:50Z")
USing my satellite ISP, I am given no example. Using dial up from Little Rock, AR, I am given the example of Dallas. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/6 "2007-10-15T02:56:31Z")
I get the city not where I live, but the one next to mine. Ed ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/7 "2007-10-15T03:06:24Z")
I get a link to Midlothian, TX which is the home of my ISP. When I click the link, there are 3 photos of the cement kilns near the city blowing out potentially toxic smoke (they have a license to burn toxic materials in their kilns - a point of much contention amongst the downwind residents). I guess this pretty much shows that city-data is not just a shill for the cities it profiles. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/8 "2007-10-15T03:15:41Z")
Somewhat curious - it handed me San Rafael, CA. Usually, things mapping my IP hand me Santa Rosa, which is indeed the location of my ISP, and about 30 mi from San Rafael. To compare, you can enter your IP into a locator site like this one: [http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm](http://www.geobytes.com/IpLocator.htm) That tells me Santa Rosa. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/9 "2007-10-15T06:03:46Z")
[QUOTE=Rhubarb] I get a link to Midlothian, TX which is the home of my ISP. When I click the link, there are 3 photos of the cement kilns near the city blowing out potentially toxic smoke (they have a license to burn toxic materials in their kilns - a point of much contention amongst the downwind residents). I guess this pretty much shows that city-data is not just a shill for the cities it profiles. [/QUOTE] Wow, Midlothian. For some reason, back in High School we kids in Mansfield used to refer to you as “Middle Ethiopia.” I never did figure out what the joke was supposed to be. Oh wait, you’re in Venus. Sorry. You guys have the _Internet_ out there? 😛 Anyway. [/hijack] -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![brendon\_small](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brendon_small/32/17101_2.png) [@brendon\_small](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendon_small)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/10 "2007-10-15T08:14:22Z")
Just to add to the chorus, I got Columbus, Ohio. That isn’t too far from me (well, an hour and a half or so) but I think that is where the work internet ISP is. Brendon Small ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Socks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a8b319/32.png) [@Captain\_Socks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Socks)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/11 "2007-10-15T10:46:43Z")
I get Germantown, Maryland. Am I the only one who actually gets the town they live in on this site? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/12 "2007-10-15T12:18:35Z")
[QUOTE=Captain Socks] Am I the only one who actually gets the town they live in on this site? [/QUOTE] No, I get mine, too. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/13 "2007-10-15T12:48:53Z")
I get no default. The Cloaking Device is working perfectly, Captain. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/14 "2007-10-15T18:03:22Z")
I get Mountain View, CA. From New Jersey… and Comcast’s HQ is in Pennsylvania… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/15 "2007-10-15T21:25:45Z")
From work I get a nearby city, Jacksonville, AR. ---
**Author:** ![Von\_Erich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@Von\_Erich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Von_Erich)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/16 "2007-10-15T21:38:41Z")
Mine correctly says Kapaa, HI. ---
**Author:** ![Dusty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@Dusty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dusty)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/17 "2007-10-15T22:40:46Z")
It suggests nothing for me (I get the same line Frank describes). That [Geobytes.com](http://Geobytes.com) website comes back with Ellsworth, which is nearly three hours away, but at least it got the state. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/18 "2007-10-15T23:14:12Z")
Another small town they accurately pegged. Though “small town” is relative, here: We’re the biggest thing in a hundred miles. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/19 "2007-10-15T23:18:08Z")
Looking up your ISP’s address based on DNS records is the easy thing to do. There are some other commercially available services which attempt to maintain databases of finer grained information gleaned from sites which asked users to input their physical location. They can then make guesses for a given IP based on the volunteered information for similar IPs. One such service is here: [http://www.maxmind.com/app/ip-location](http://www.maxmind.com/app/ip-location) Their own description of how it works: > [@](#): > > The idea behind GeoIP is simple but the process is complex. We employ user-entered location data from sites that ask web visitors to provide their geographic location. We then run millions of these datasets through a series of algorithms that identify, extract, and extrapolate location points for IP addresses. I wonder how many sites are providing them with IP / postal address pairs. Do online retailers sell billing address / IP combinations to outfits like this? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2007, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736/20 "2007-10-15T23:53:05Z")
Is this the same way those girls can hold up signs that say “We’re looking for hot lovin’ in Charlotte!”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/go-to-city-data-com/422736.md?page=2)