Most U.S. states and territories have at least two tiers of local government: counties and municipalities. Louisiana uses the term parish and Alaska uses the term borough for what the …

Determining your city’s government structure depends on whether it is (1) a general-law city, or (2) a home-rule city. This distinction also determines the scope of your city’s power. Cities with …

There are 254 counties and over 1,200 municipal governments in Texas. Learn how your local government can serve you. Use the links below to go directly to a service or agency page. You …

Apr 30, 2025 · If you’re looking to begin engaging with local governments, it’s important to understand the basics of local government structure — the different types of local …

Aug 9, 2025 · Explore the fundamental operations, varied structures, financing, and citizen engagement within local government across the U.S.

This page examines Texas' local government structure, focusing on the interactions between city, county, and state governments. It details the roles of counties, cities, and special districts, …

Feb 22, 2022 · Consequently, the United States has one of the most complex and diverse local governance structures in the world with vast differences in form and function not only from …

Nov 14, 2025 · The chief characteristics of local government, which may be studied by comparison of the United Kingdom, Germany, the U.S., and Russia, are (1) constitutional …

Jul 14, 2024 · Explore the intricate local government structure, its historical evolution, and key components that shape governance and citizen participation in municipal law.

Jun 20, 2025 · Summaries are divided according to the five basic types of local governments. The Census Bureau established these five types for classifying government units— county, …