Local Government Types

Local governments deliver essential services across the U.S., from roads and schools to public safety. In 2022, there were 90,837 local governments, including counties, municipalities, townships, and special districts.

General Purpose Governments

Counties serve as the primary administrative divisions in most states, handling regional services like justice systems and elections. Municipalities—cities, towns, and villages—manage urban services such as police, fire, parks, and utilities within their boundaries. Townships, common in the Midwest and Northeast, govern rural areas with elected boards focusing on limited functions like road maintenance.

Forms of Municipal Government

Municipalities use mayor-council or council-manager systems. In mayor-council forms, the mayor leads the executive branch while the council legislates. Council-manager systems appoint a professional manager to handle daily operations under council oversight.

Special Purpose Governments

Special districts focus on single functions like water, fire protection, or transportation, operating independently of general governments. Independent school districts, numbering over 12,000, manage education with their own elected boards and funding.