Unincorporated area

Unincorporated area refers to a region of land that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. These areas are typically administered as part of larger administrative divisions, such as a county or parish. In some countries, such as the United States, unincorporated areas are directly governed by a higher level of government, such as a state or province.

Definition

An unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality. This means that the area does not have its own local government and is instead governed by a larger administrative division. The term is often used in contrast to an incorporated area, which is a region that has been granted a charter recognizing it as a separate legal entity with its own government.

Characteristics

Unincorporated areas can vary greatly in size and population. They can range from small rural communities to large suburban areas. These areas often lack the services and infrastructure provided by local governments in incorporated areas, such as police and fire departments, water and sewer systems, and zoning regulations.

Governance

In many countries, unincorporated areas are governed by a higher level of government. In the United States, for example, unincorporated areas are often governed by county governments. In some cases, residents of unincorporated areas can vote on whether to incorporate and form their own local government.

Examples

There are many examples of unincorporated areas around the world. In the United States, notable unincorporated areas include Las Vegas Strip in Nevada and Arlington County, Virginia. In Canada, the entire territory of Nunavut is unincorporated.

See also

• Incorporated area
• Local government
• Municipality
• County (United States)
• Parish (administrative division)