Independent city (United States)

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An independent city in the United States is a city that is not part of any county. This means that the city government operates independently of any county government. Independent cities are considered county-equivalents for the purposes of census and other federal government functions.

Characteristics

Independent cities have the same powers and responsibilities as counties. They are responsible for providing all local government services, including law enforcement, public education, and public health. Unlike cities that are part of a county, independent cities do not share tax revenues or services with a county government.

History

The concept of independent cities dates back to the colonial era. The first independent city in the United States was Baltimore, which was separated from Baltimore County in 1851. The practice of creating independent cities became more common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the Commonwealth of Virginia, which has the largest number of independent cities.

Examples

As of 2023, there are 41 independent cities in the United States. The majority of these are located in Virginia. Some notable examples include:

• Baltimore
• St. Louis
• Carson City
• Alexandria
• Richmond

Legal Status

Independent cities are recognized as county-equivalents by the United States Census Bureau and other federal agencies. This means they are treated as separate entities for statistical purposes. In Virginia, independent cities are also considered separate jurisdictions for the purposes of state law.

Governance

The governance structure of an independent city is similar to that of a county. The city is governed by a city council and a mayor. The city council is responsible for passing local ordinances, while the mayor is responsible for enforcing them. Some independent cities also have a city manager who oversees the day-to-day operations of the city government.

Related Pages

• County (United States)
• City (United States)
• United States Census
• Local government in the United States
• Virginia