The United States is divided into numerous administrative units that vary depending on the state. The most common form of administrative division is the county. According to anycountyprivateschools, the United States has a total of 3,143 counties or equivalent entities. However, the term “county” is not used uniformly across all states. In some states, the subdivisions are referred to as parishes (in Louisiana) or boroughs (in Alaska). This section provides a comprehensive overview of the county system in the United States, exploring the number of counties, their roles, and how they differ across states.
Overview of the U.S. County System
Counties in the United States serve as key administrative units that help manage local government operations. Their responsibilities can include law enforcement, public health, maintaining roads, operating courts, and managing elections. Each state in the U.S. has a distinct way of organizing its counties or equivalent entities, with some states having only a few, while others have more than a hundred.
Functions of Counties
Counties play a crucial role in the governance of their respective areas. Some of the primary functions of counties in the United States include:
- Law enforcement: Counties often maintain sheriff departments that handle law enforcement duties in areas not covered by city police.
- Judicial functions: Counties may operate courts that handle local cases.
- Tax collection: Property taxes are typically collected at the county level.
- Public services: Counties manage services such as road maintenance, public health, and welfare programs.
While these responsibilities are common, they vary significantly depending on the state.
Breakdown of Counties by Region
To better understand the counties in the United States, it’s helpful to explore them by region. Each region has its own unique structure and number of counties.
Northeastern United States
The Northeastern United States is historically significant and includes some of the oldest counties in the country. The counties in this region tend to be smaller in size but more densely populated compared to other regions.
States and Their Counties in the Northeast
- Connecticut
- Connecticut does not have functioning counties as local government units. While the state has 8 counties, they exist only for administrative and judicial purposes.
- Example: Fairfield County
- Maine
- Maine has 16 counties, with county governments responsible for managing jails, courts, and law enforcement.
- Example: Cumberland County
- Massachusetts
- Massachusetts has 14 counties, but many county governments have been dissolved, with their functions transferred to the state.
- Example: Middlesex County
- New Hampshire
- New Hampshire is divided into 10 counties.
- Example: Hillsborough County
- New Jersey
- New Jersey has 21 counties that manage services such as public transportation and health.
- Example: Bergen County
- New York
- New York has 62 counties, including the five boroughs of New York City which serve as county equivalents.
- Example: Kings County (Brooklyn)
- Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania has 67 counties. Many counties in Pennsylvania have strong local governments.
- Example: Philadelphia County
- Rhode Island
- Rhode Island has 5 counties, but their governments have been dissolved, and they serve only as geographic regions.
- Example: Providence County
- Vermont
- Vermont has 14 counties. The county government in Vermont has limited powers.
- Example: Chittenden County
Southern United States
The Southern United States has a complex and diverse county structure, with many counties playing significant roles in local government.
States and Their Counties in the South
- Alabama
- Alabama has 67 counties. Each county is responsible for law enforcement, education, and other local services.
- Example: Jefferson County
- Arkansas
- Arkansas is divided into 75 counties, with county governments playing an important role in managing services.
- Example: Pulaski County
- Florida
- Florida has 67 counties, many of which are rapidly growing due to population increases.
- Example: Miami-Dade County
- Georgia
- Georgia is home to 159 counties, the second highest of any state in the U.S.
- Example: Fulton County
- Kentucky
- Kentucky has 120 counties, a relatively high number given the size of the state.
- Example: Jefferson County
- Louisiana
- Louisiana is unique in that it is divided into 64 parishes, which are equivalent to counties in other states.
- Example: Orleans Parish
- Mississippi
- Mississippi has 82 counties, with a long tradition of strong local government.
- Example: Hinds County
- North Carolina
- North Carolina is divided into 100 counties, each of which manages a range of services from health care to law enforcement.
- Example: Wake County
- South Carolina
- South Carolina has 46 counties, with county governments handling many essential services.
- Example: Charleston County
- Tennessee
- Tennessee has 95 counties, with county governments playing a critical role in managing public services.
- Example: Shelby County
- Texas
- Texas has 254 counties, the most of any state in the U.S.
- Example: Harris County
- Virginia
- Virginia has 95 counties and 38 independent cities that are separate from any county.
- Example: Fairfax County
- West Virginia
- West Virginia has 55 counties.
- Example: Kanawha County
Midwestern United States
The Midwest is known for its vast agricultural areas, and counties in this region are often large in land area but vary in population density.
States and Their Counties in the Midwest
- Illinois
- Illinois has 102 counties. County governments provide essential services in rural and urban areas alike.
- Example: Cook County
- Indiana
- Indiana has 92 counties, with each county managing services like courts and law enforcement.
- Example: Marion County
- Iowa
- Iowa is divided into 99 counties, with county governments responsible for public health and safety.
- Example: Polk County
- Kansas
- Kansas has 105 counties, with each county managing services that range from infrastructure to education.
- Example: Johnson County
- Michigan
- Michigan has 83 counties. Many of the counties in Michigan manage parks, roads, and law enforcement.
- Example: Wayne County
- Minnesota
- Minnesota has 87 counties, with a strong tradition of local government.
- Example: Hennepin County
- Missouri
- Missouri has 114 counties and one independent city (St. Louis).
- Example: Jackson County
- Nebraska
- Nebraska has 93 counties, many of which are rural and sparsely populated.
- Example: Douglas County
- North Dakota
- North Dakota has 53 counties, many of which are geographically large but have small populations.
- Example: Cass County
- Ohio
- Ohio has 88 counties, with county governments providing local services such as health care and law enforcement.
- Example: Cuyahoga County
- South Dakota
- South Dakota is divided into 66 counties.
- Example: Minnehaha County
- Wisconsin
- Wisconsin has 72 counties, each with its own local government.
- Example: Milwaukee County
Western United States
The Western United States is known for its vast open spaces, and counties in this region are often large in land area but sparsely populated.
States and Their Counties in the West
- Alaska
- Alaska does not have counties but is instead divided into boroughs and unorganized territories. There are 19 organized boroughs and one large unorganized area.
- Example: Anchorage Borough
- Arizona
- Arizona has 15 counties, many of which cover vast desert areas.
- Example: Maricopa County
- California
- California has 58 counties, with county governments playing a major role in managing services for large populations.
- Example: Los Angeles County
- Colorado
- Colorado is divided into 64 counties, ranging from small urban areas to large rural ones.
- Example: Denver County
- Hawaii
- Hawaii has 5 counties, each of which covers one or more of the islands in the state.
- Example: Honolulu County
- Idaho
- Idaho has 44 counties, many of which are sparsely populated.
- Example: Ada County
- Montana
- Montana is divided into 56 counties. Most counties are large in land area but have small populations.
- Example: Yellowstone County
- Nevada
- Nevada has 17 counties, many of which are large and rural.
- Example: Clark County
- Oregon
- Oregon has 36 counties, with county governments providing a wide range of services.
- Example: Multnomah County
- Utah
- Utah is divided into 29 counties, with county governments playing an important role in managing public lands.
- Example: Salt Lake County
- Washington
- Washington has 39 counties, each with its own local government.
- Example: King County
- Wyoming
- Wyoming is divided into 23 counties.
- Example: Laramie County
Summary of Counties in the U.S.
- Total number of counties: 3,143 (includes parishes, boroughs, and independent cities).
- State with the most counties: Texas (254).
- State with the fewest counties: Delaware (3).
- Unique divisions: Louisiana (parishes), Alaska (boroughs), and Virginia (independent cities).
Counties are essential administrative units that handle a variety of local government responsibilities across the United States. While the structure and functions of counties may vary from state to state, they remain integral to managing public services and governance in every part of the country.