County (United States)

Subdivision used by most states in the United States

In the United States, a county or county equivalent is an administrative subdivision of a state or territory, typically with defined geographic boundaries and some level of governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 47 states, while Louisiana, Alaska, and Connecticut have functionally equivalent subdivisions called parishes, boroughs, and planning regions respectively. Counties and other local governments exist as a matter of U.S. state law, so the specific governmental powers of counties may vary widely between the states, with many providing some level of services to civil townships, municipalities, and unincorporated areas.

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