Unincorporated community

Unincorporated community is a term used in the United States to describe a type of settlement that is not governed by its own local municipal corporation, but rather is administered as part of larger administrative divisions, such as a township, parish, borough, county, city, canton, state, province or country.

Unincorporated communities generally lack a separate government that is distinct from the county or township in which they are located. They are often small and sometimes remote. They may be either part of a larger municipality or standalone communities.

Characteristics

Unincorporated communities may have a wide range of characteristics. Some are essentially small towns with a population that may run into the thousands, while others may be little more than a few houses or a single business. They may be located in rural areas or within a larger city. They are typically governed by county or township officials, although the degree of local autonomy can vary widely.

Legal status

In the United States, the legal status of an unincorporated community can vary from state to state. In some states, such as California, unincorporated communities are considered part of the county in which they are located, and residents may vote in county elections. In other states, such as Texas, unincorporated communities are not considered part of any county or city, and residents do not have the right to vote in local elections.

Advantages and disadvantages

There are both advantages and disadvantages to living in an unincorporated community. On the positive side, residents often enjoy lower taxes, as they are not responsible for funding a local government. On the negative side, they may lack certain services that are typically provided by a city or town, such as police and fire protection, water and sewer services, and public transportation.

See also

• Incorporation (municipal government)
• Local government in the United States
• Unorganized territory
• Ghost town