List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania

List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania

List of towns and boroughs in Pennsylvania refers to the various municipalities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a state located in the Northeastern United States. Pennsylvania is unique in its classification of municipalities, which include cities, boroughs, townships, and one town. This article focuses on the towns and boroughs, which are distinct from cities and townships in terms of governance and administrative structure.

Overview

In Pennsylvania, municipalities are classified into four types: cities, boroughs, townships, and towns. The distinction between these types is primarily based on population size and governance structure.

• Boroughs are the most common form of municipal government in Pennsylvania. They are typically smaller than cities and are governed by a mayor and a borough council. Boroughs provide local services such as police, fire protection, and public works.

• Towns in Pennsylvania are rare, with Bloomsburg being the only incorporated town in the state. The town structure is similar to that of a borough but has some differences in governance and administrative responsibilities.

List of Boroughs

Pennsylvania is home to over 950 boroughs, each with its own local government. Some notable boroughs include:

• State College - Known for being the home of Pennsylvania State University.
• West Chester - The county seat of Chester County and known for its historic architecture.
• Carlisle - Known for its rich history and as the location of the U.S. Army War College.

List of Towns

As mentioned, Bloomsburg is the only town in Pennsylvania. It serves as the county seat of Columbia County and is known for its annual Bloomsburg Fair.

Governance and Administration

Boroughs in Pennsylvania are governed by a mayor and a borough council, which is responsible for enacting ordinances, adopting budgets, and overseeing local services. The council is typically composed of elected members who serve staggered terms. The mayor may have varying degrees of power depending on the borough's charter.

The town of Bloomsburg operates under a similar structure but has unique provisions that differentiate it from boroughs, such as specific responsibilities assigned to the town council.

Also see

• List of cities in Pennsylvania
• List of townships in Pennsylvania
• Municipalities in Pennsylvania
• Government of Pennsylvania