Number of Local Governments by State
Some states are home to significant numbers of local governments, with numerous jurisdictional boundaries and overlapping special districts.
Illinois has 6,963 local governments, the most of any state, followed by Pennsylvania and Texas. Many local governments consist of specialized districts or entities, such as library or fire protection districts. In terms of per capita rates, North Dakota's total local governments far exceed other states. The state comprises about 390 local governments per every 100,000 residents, many of which are small townships in rural regions.
The Census Bureau conducts the Census of Governments every five years, categorizing each government in the country.
General purpose governments include all counties, cities and other localities. Special districts consist of school districts, water authorities, parks districts and other public entities serving a more specific function.
The following table shows numbers of governments per capita using the data above and 2012 Census population estimates:
| State | Total Local Governments | Total Governments per 100k | General Purpose Governments per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Total | 90,056 | 28.7 | 12.4 |
| Alabama | 1,208 | 25.1 | 10.9 |
| Alaska | 177 | 24.2 | 22.1 |
| Arizona | 674 | 10.3 | 1.6 |
| Arkansas | 1,556 | 52.8 | 19.6 |
| California | 4,425 | 11.6 | 1.4 |
| Colorado | 2,905 | 56.0 | 6.4 |
| Connecticut | 643 | 17.9 | 5.0 |
| Delaware | 339 | 37.0 | 6.5 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Florida | 1,650 | 8.5 | 2.5 |
| Georgia | 1,378 | 13.9 | 6.9 |
| Hawaii | 21 | 1.5 | 0.3 |
| Idaho | 1,168 | 73.2 | 15.3 |
| Illinois | 6,963 | 54.1 | 22.0 |
| Indiana | 2,709 | 41.4 | 25.5 |
| Iowa | 1,947 | 63.3 | 34.0 |
| Kansas | 3,826 | 132.6 | 69.2 |
| Kentucky | 1,338 | 30.5 | 12.2 |
| Louisiana | 529 | 11.5 | 7.9 |
| Maine | 840 | 63.2 | 37.9 |
| Maryland | 347 | 5.9 | 3.1 |
| Massachusetts | 857 | 12.9 | 5.4 |
| Michigan | 2,875 | 29.1 | 18.8 |
| Minnesota | 3,672 | 68.3 | 50.6 |
| Mississippi | 983 | 32.9 | 12.7 |
| Missouri | 3,768 | 62.6 | 22.9 |
| Montana | 1,265 | 125.9 | 18.2 |
| Nebraska | 2,581 | 139.1 | 56.0 |
| Nevada | 191 | 6.9 | 1.3 |
| New Hampshire | 541 | 41.0 | 18.5 |
| New Jersey | 1,344 | 15.2 | 6.6 |
| New Mexico | 863 | 41.4 | 6.5 |
| New York | 3,453 | 17.6 | 8.2 |
| North Carolina | 973 | 10.0 | 6.7 |
| North Dakota | 2,685 | 383.8 | 246.3 |
| Ohio | 3,842 | 33.3 | 20.2 |
| Oklahoma | 1,852 | 48.5 | 17.5 |
| Oregon | 1,542 | 39.5 | 7.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,897 | 38.4 | 20.6 |
| Rhode Island | 133 | 12.7 | 3.7 |
| South Carolina | 678 | 14.4 | 6.7 |
| South Dakota | 1,983 | 238.0 | 154.1 |
| Tennessee | 916 | 14.2 | 6.8 |
| Texas | 5,147 | 19.8 | 5.6 |
| Utah | 622 | 21.8 | 9.6 |
| Vermont | 738 | 117.9 | 47.0 |
| Virginia | 518 | 6.3 | 4.0 |
| Washington | 1,900 | 27.5 | 4.6 |
| West Virginia | 659 | 35.5 | 15.5 |
| Wisconsin | 3,128 | 54.6 | 33.6 |
| Wyoming | 805 | 139.7 | 21.2 |