Small Town America

With all of the discussion in the presidential campaign about small towns, it is well to review the situation of local governance in the United States.

According to the 2002 United States Census of Governments

There were 19,429 municipalities (cities, towns, boroughs and villages) with a population of 175,845,000. The average sized municipality was 9,000.

There were 16,504 townships and towns that are analogous to townships, with a population of 52,365,000. The average sized township had a population of 3,200.

All together, there were 35,933 cities, towns, boroughs, villages and townships in the United States. The total population was 227,210,000. The average population was 6,300.

Small town America appears to be alive and well.