List Of US Counties By State

States with the Most Counties

Top 5 States with the Highest Number of Counties:

The United States has a total of 3,144 counties, which are administrative divisions used for local governance and administration purposes. Each state in the country has its own unique number of counties, ranging from three to 159.

Among all the states, some have an unusually high number of counties compared to others. This is due to various historical, geographical, and political factors that have shaped the formation and organization of these administrative divisions over time.

In this article, we will focus on the top five states with the highest number of counties in the United States.

1. Texas

Texas is the state with the most counties, a total of 254. This is due to its large size and complex geography, which made it necessary for the early settlers and governments to divide the land into smaller, manageable sections.

The first European explorer to set foot in Texas was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conquistador who arrived in 1528. Over time, the Spanish established missions and presidios throughout the region, which eventually became the foundation for the modern-day counties.

Today, Texas is one of the most populous states in the country, with over 29 million residents living within its borders.

2. Georgia

Georgia comes second on our list with a total of 159 counties. This state has a long history of colonization and settlement, dating back to the early 18th century when English colonists arrived in the region.

The native inhabitants of the area, the Muscogean-speaking tribes, had their own system of governance and division of land. However, as European settlers increased, these systems were gradually replaced by the modern county-based administrative structure that we see today.

Georgia is also one of the oldest states in the Union, having declared its independence from Great Britain on January 2, 1788.

3. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a total of 67 counties, making it the third state with the highest number of counties in the United States.

The early European settlers to this region were primarily German and Swedish immigrants who established themselves as traders, farmers, and craftsmen. As these communities grew, they organized themselves into smaller administrative divisions, which eventually became the modern-day counties.

Pennsylvania played a significant role in American history, having been one of the original 13 colonies and serving as the temporary capital of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

4. Ohio

Ohio is home to 88 counties, making it the fourth state on our list. This region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Algonquian-speaking peoples who had a complex system of governance and land use.

In 1788, the Northwest Territory Act created what is now Ohio, which was later divided into several counties in 1790. The county system has been modified over time, but it remains an essential part of the state’s administrative structure.

Today, Ohio is one of the most populous states in the Midwest, with a diverse economy and a rich cultural heritage.

5. New York

New York completes our top five list with a total of 62 counties. This state was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Algonquian-speaking peoples who had their own system of governance and land use.

The Dutch established colonies in what is now New York in the early 17th century, followed by British colonization. As these European settlers increased, they organized themselves into smaller administrative divisions, which eventually became the modern-day counties.

New York played a significant role in American history, having been one of the original 13 colonies and serving as a key location for various important events throughout the country’s development.

The states with the most counties are Texas, which has 254, Alaska with 19 organized boroughs, and California.

The United States is a vast country with 50 states, each comprising multiple counties that serve as administrative subdivisions.

The number of counties within a state can vary significantly, ranging from a handful to over two hundred and fifty.

Among the U.S. states, there are some that stand out due to their exceptionally large number of counties, making them worth noting in this context.

Texas is often cited as one of the states with the most counties, boasting an impressive total of 254.

This sheer scale can be attributed to Texas’s long history and vast territory, which necessitated multiple administrative divisions for efficient governance.

Alaska is another state that tops this list, but it is often misunderstood that Alaska has as many counties as Texas. In reality, Alaska is comprised of 19 organized boroughs.

However, these 19 boroughs serve as the primary administrative divisions within the state, with each borough divided into several census areas for statistical and demographic purposes.

California is also known to have a large number of counties, but it lags behind Texas in terms of sheer numbers, with a total of 58 counties.

While these states may not be among the most populous or economically significant, they do provide insight into the complexity and diversity of administrative divisions within the U.S.

States with the Least Counties

Smallest Number of Counties by State:

The United States has a total of 50 states, each with its own unique set of characteristics and features. One aspect that can be used to differentiate between states is the number of counties within them. In this answer, we will focus on the states with the least counties, often referred to as the smallest number of counties by state.

To begin with, it’s essential to note that there are a total of 3,144 counties in the United States. However, not all states have an equal number of counties. The smallest number of counties can be found in various states across the country.

At the top of this list is Delaware, which has the distinction of having only 3 counties. These counties are New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County. With a total of just 3 counties, Delaware takes the prize for the state with the least number of counties.

Closely following in second place is Connecticut, which also has 8 counties, but has been divided into 169 towns. These towns are not officially part of any county. However, it’s worth noting that the town of Stonington has its own separate court system and government from New London County. This anomaly adds a unique twist to the already fascinating landscape.

Other states with small numbers of counties include Rhode Island (5), Hawaii (5), Alaska (19), Montana (56), North Dakota (53), South Dakota (66), and Wyoming (23).

Interestingly, some of these smaller states have a unique or complex system for organizing local governance. For example, the state of Alaska has several different types of administrative divisions, including census areas, boroughs, and municipalities.

It’s also worth noting that while having fewer counties can make administration easier in some ways, it may not necessarily provide residents with greater access to government services or a sense of community. In fact, smaller counties often struggle with limited resources and infrastructure.

However, states like Connecticut have taken a more decentralized approach by dividing their state into towns rather than counties. This can result in more autonomy for local governments and more personalized care for residents. It also provides the opportunity to establish unique cultural identities within each town or county, fostering a greater sense of community and civic engagement.

As we examine the states with the least number of counties, it’s clear that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to organizing local governance. Different approaches can result in varying degrees of efficiency, accessibility, and cultural richness.

The complexities surrounding the organization of local governments are a testament to the diversity and uniqueness of each state within the United States. The number of counties serves as just one aspect of this diversity.

Maine is the state with the smallest number of counties at nine. This is largely due to its geographical location in the northeastern part of North America which was established long before the U.S.

Maine, with its nine counties, holds the record for the state with the fewest number of counties.

This unique characteristic is largely a result of its geographical location in the northeastern part of North America, an area that was established long before the United States existed as a country.

The early history and colonial legacy of Maine’s region contributed to this relatively small number of counties.

During the time when English-speaking settlers first arrived in the area, which is now modern-day Maine, the population density was still quite low.

This scarcity of inhabitants, combined with the existing administrative divisions inherited from its European ancestors, meant that larger geographic areas were grouped into fewer but larger counties.

Maine’s nine counties – Androscoggin, Aroostook, Cumberland, Franklin, Hancock, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc – have undergone changes over time due to consolidation and reorganization of the regional government structure.

However, these adjustments did not significantly alter the number of counties, preserving Maine’s unique position among U.S. states with a relatively small number of county divisions.

The implications of having fewer counties can influence governance, administration, and service delivery within those areas, potentially leading to more streamlined processes in certain contexts and increased complexity or difficulty in others.

Other Notable States

Different Types of County-Style Administrative Divisions:

The United States of America has a complex system of administrative divisions, with various states having different types of county-style administrative divisions beyond the traditional counties found in 48 contiguous states.

Other notable states that have unique or additional types of county-style administrative divisions include:

1. Maine: Unorganized Territory

Maine has a special type of unincorporated territory known as the “Unorganized Territory”, which accounts for about one-fifth of the state’s area and is not part of any municipality.

2. Alaska: Census Areas, Municipalities, and Boroughs

Alaska has a unique system with no traditional counties. Instead, it is divided into organized boroughs, census areas, and municipalities.

3. Louisiana: Parishes (similar to counties)

Louisiana uses the term “parish” instead of “county”, which is a historical legacy from the state’s colonial past.

4. Missouri, Virginia, and West Virginia: Equivalent administrative divisions are not found in these states

Missouri uses counties as its primary administrative division. However, some parts of the Ozark Plateau region have a unique system where the county is divided into townships.

5. Tennessee: Equivalent administrative divisions are not found in this state

Tennessee also uses counties as its primary administrative division, but some areas have a system of townships within the county.

Alaska has boroughs and census areas, while Louisiana is divided into parishes. These countylike divisions are used due to historical, cultural, or geographical reasons.

Alaska’s unique division into boroughs and census areas is a result of its vast size and sparse population, making traditional county divisions impractical.

Boroughs are similar to counties in other states but have more autonomy and are often larger in terms of area.

Census areas, on the other hand, are used for statistical purposes and do not have local government powers.

There are 19 organized boroughs in Alaska and 11 census areas.

Louisiana’s division into parishes dates back to French colonial times when the region was divided into smaller units called “paroisses” or “parishes.”

The term “parish” comes from the Old French word for a church or ecclesiastical district and reflects Louisiana’s historic Catholic roots.

There are 64 parishes in Louisiana, with varying population sizes and levels of economic development.

New Mexico has both counties and county-equivalent entities called counties in the United States that are not part of any county but serve as administrative divisions for statistical and other purposes; however, these areas do have some degree of local autonomy.