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PENNSYLVANIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT 1
A BIRD=S EYE VIEW
Introduction
The structure of Pennsylvania local government is complex, confusing and irrational. There
was (is) no grand design to guide its development. This structural environment:
is a complicated classification system for general governments, with each class generally
having its own Code governing its operations. (See Table One.)
has a great number of cities, boroughs and townshipsCone for each 4,500 residents in the
Commonwealth. (See Tables Two and Three.)
has a vast number of small unitsB80 percent have populations of 5,000 or less; about 60
percent of these have 2,500 or less. (See Table Two.)
This governmental structure is further complicated because of the existence of independent
school districts and public corporations known as authorities. There are 501 districts in the State and
2,234 municipal authorities.
Table One shows the number and types of general local governments as of 1995. The
number has been relatively stable for the past decade.
Table One
Types of Municipalities
Townships of the Second Class 1,457
Boroughs 966
First Class Townships 91
Third Class Cities 53
First Class Cities 1 *
Second Class Cities 1
Second Class A Cities 1
Towns 1
Counties
First Class
*
Second Class 1
Second Class A 2
Third Class 12
Fourth Class 6
Fifth Class 9
Sixth Class 23
Seventh Class 5
Eighth Class 8
2,637
* The County and City of Philadelphia are a consolidated government.
It is counted as a first class city.
1
Citizen=s Guide to Pennsylvania Local Government and other materials published by the
Department of Community and Economic Development were invaluable in preparing this local
government material.
XVI-5