jump over navigation bar
Consulate SealUS Department of State
Consulate General of the United States Krakow, Poland - Home flag graphic
About the Consulate U.S. Citizen Services Visas to the U.S. U.S. Policy & Issues About the U.S.A. U.S. Embassy Warsaw Polski
About the U.S.A
You Are In: Home > About the U.S.A. > U.S. Government
 
  General Information Arts and Entertainment U.S. Government The Pledge of Allegiance The National Anthem The Nation's Capital The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch The Great Seal The Flag The Executive Branch The Constitution State Government Political Parties Local Government History of the United States American Holidays U.S. Economy and Business Media in the United States Science and Technology Society Sports in America Geography and Travel

U.S. Government

Local Government


Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson stands under a new city limits.(©AP/WWP/David Adame)

The U.S. Bureau of the Census (part of the Commerce Department) has identified no less than 78,218 local governmental units in the United States, including municipalities, counties, townships, school districts and special districts.

More than three-quarters of the citizens of the United States now live in towns, large cities or their suburbs. The city directly serves the needs of the people, providing everything from police and fire protection to sanitary codes, health regulations, education, public transportation and housing. Cooperation with both state and federal organizations is essential.

The county is a subdivision of the state, usually -- but not always -- containing two or more townships and several villages. A board of commissioners levies taxes, borrows and appropriates money, fixes the salaries of county employees, supervises elections, builds and maintains highways and bridges, and administers national, state and county welfare programs.

Abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.


back to top ^
Page Tools:

 Print this article



 
 
    This site is managed by the U.S. Department of State.
    External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.
Home | About the Consulate | Citizen Services | Visas | Policy & Issues | About the U.S.A.
Contact Us |  Site Index | Privacy | Webmaster		 Consulate of the United States