The counties are used in 48 of the 50 states of the United States for the level of local government below the state itself. Louisiana uses parishes, and Alaska uses boroughs. In several states in New England, some or all counties within states have no governments of their own; the counties continue to exist as legal entities, however, and are used by states for some administrative functions and by the United States Census bureau for statistical analysis. There are 3,143 counties & county-equivalent administrative units in total (source: count of list below).
There are 42 independent cities in the United States. In Virginia, any municipality that is incorporated as a city legally becomes independent of any county. Except where indicated, the statistics below do not include Virginia's 39 independent cities. The only Virginia statistic affected is smallest county by area; if independent cities are included, Falls Church becomes the smallest county in the state, and in fact the smallest county-level political subdivision in the United States, at 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2). The other three independent cities in other states (Baltimore, Maryland; Carson City, Nevada; and St. Louis, Missouri) are also not included in these lists. The District of Columbia is included.
In Alaska, most of the land area of the state has no county-level government. Those parts of the state are divided by the United States Census Bureau into census areas, which are not the same as boroughs. The state's largest statistical division by area is the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, which is larger than any of the state's boroughs. Although Anchorage is called a municipality, it is considered a consolidated city and borough.
Although most U.S. counties were created during the 19th century, the most recent county in the United States is Broomfield County in Colorado, created in 2001.
3143 total (3007 counties & 136 county-equivalents)
Average: 62
The population is based on a 2006 estimate. From the 2000 Census to the year 2004, all counties remained the same in ranking, while Dallas County overtook Queens County to rank ninth.
| Rank | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles County, California | 9,948,081 |
| 2 | Cook County, Illinois | 5,288,655 |
| 3 | Harris County, Texas | 4,092,459 |
| 4 | Maricopa County, Arizona | 3,768,123 |
| 5 | Orange County, California | 3,002,048 |
| 6 | San Diego County, California | 2,941,454 |
| 7 | Kings County, New York | 2,508,820 |
| 8 | Miami-Dade County, Florida | 2,402,208 |
| 9 | Dallas County, Texas | 2,345,815 |
| 10 | Queens County, New York | 2,255,175 |
| 11 | Riverside County, California | 2,026,803 |
| 12 | San Bernardino County, California | 1,999,332 |
| 13 | Wayne County, Michigan | 1,946,419 |
| 14 | King County, Washington | 1,826,732 |
| 15 | Broward County, Florida | 1,787,636 |
| 16 | Clark County, Nevada | 1,777,539 |
| 17 | Santa Clara County, California | 1,731,281 |
| 18 | Tarrant County, Texas | 1,671,295 |
| 19 | New York County, New York | 1,611,581 |
| 20 | Bexar County, Texas | 1,555,592 |
Data presented below is based on U.S. Census department data from 2000.[2] Alaska's Unorganized Borough's census areas have been considered county-equivalents; statistics for them are not included.
The North Slope Borough is the largest independently incorporated county. The Unorganized Borough is substantially larger, but is an extension of the State of Alaska government and not independently incorporated.A[›]
NOTE: Due to Hurricane Katrina, in 2005 East Baton Rouge Parish passed Orleans Parish as the most populous parish in Louisiana.
Ranking of states based on the average area for all counties or equivalents in each state. Taken by dividing the state's total area by the number of counties in the state. See also List of U.S. states by area.
| Rank | State name | Mean County Area (sq.mi.) | Mean County Area (km2.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 39015.71 | 101050.24 |
| 2 | Arizona | 7599.87 | 19683.56 |
| 3 | Nevada | 6503.59 | 16844.22 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 4252.96 | 11015.11 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 3684.52 | 9542.85 |
| 6 | Utah | 2927.55 | 7582.32 |
| 7 | California | 2822.34 | 7309.84 |
| 8 | Oregon | 2732.81 | 7077.93 |
| 9 | Hawaii | 2732.75 | 7077.79 |
| 10 | Montana | 2625.75 | 6800.66 |
| 11 | Maine | 2211.56 | 5727.92 |
| 12 | Idaho | 1899.32 | 4919.21 |
| 13 | Washington | 1828.21 | 4735.03 |
| 14 | Colorado | 1626.47 | 4212.53 |
| 15 | North Dakota | 1333.96 | 3454.95 |
| 16 | Michigan | 1178.19 | 3051.51 |
| 17 | South Dakota | 1168.42 | 3026.20 |
| 18 | Texas | 1057.41 | 2738.67 |
| 19 | Minnesota | 999.30 | 2588.17 |
| 20 | Florida | 981.42 | 2541.86 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | 935.40 | 2421.64 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | 909.69 | 2356.10 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | 907.77 | 2351.10 |
| 24 | New York | 879.94 | 2279.02 |
| 25 | Nebraska | 831.76 | 2154.26 |
| 26 | Delaware | 829.67 | 2148.83 |
| 27 | Louisiana | 810.00 | 2097.89 |
| 28 | Kansas | 783.59 | 2029.49 |
| 29 | Alabama | 782.37 | 2026.34 |
| 30 | Massachusetts | 753.93 | 1952.67 |
| 31 | Arkansas | 709.05 | 1836.44 |
| 32 | South Carolina | 696.09 | 1802.86 |
| 33 | Connecticut | 692.88 | 1794.54 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | 687.39 | 1780.33 |
| 35 | Vermont | 686.71 | 1778.58 |
| 36 | Missouri | 606.12 | 1569.85 |
| 37 | Mississippi | 590.61 | 1529.67 |
| 38 | Iowa | 568.40 | 1472.16 |
| 39 | Illinois | 567.78 | 1470.55 |
| 40 | North Carolina | 538.19 | 1393.91 |
| 41 | Maryland | 516.96 | 1338.92 |
| 42 | Ohio | 509.38 | 1319.28 |
| 43 | Tennessee | 443.61 | 1148.95 |
| 44 | West Virginia | 440.55 | 1141.01 |
| 45 | New Jersey | 415.29 | 1075.59 |
| 46 | Indiana | 395.85 | 1025.24 |
| 47 | Georgia | 373.74 | 967.99 |
| 48 | Kentucky | 336.74 | 872.16 |
| 49 | Virginia | 319.21 | 826.75 |
| 50 | Rhode Island | 242.80 | 628.85 |
Data presented below is based on U.S. Census department data from 2000. Calculations are made by dividing the population by the land area. All county-equivalents are included. Virginia independent cities (IC) appear on the list.
Data presented below is based on U.S. Census department data from 2000. Calculations are made by dividing the population by the land area. All county-equivalents are included. The list is dominated by just a few states: Alaska, Montana, and Texas together comprise about two-thirds of the entries. The Unorganized Borough, which comprises all Census Areas (non-governmental entities) of Alaska, is not included here as a unit, but would rank seventh at 0.0957/km2 (0.2478/mile2) if its component Census Areas were eliminated from the list.
Data presented below is based on U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000. Calculations are made by dividing the population by the land area. Density is given both in population per km2 and per square mile. All county-equivalents are included.
County name coincidences: Garfield County is the least densely populated county in both Montana and Utah. Harding County is the least densely populated in both New Mexico and South Dakota. Jefferson County is the most densely populated in both Alabama and Kentucky.
If Census Areas of Alaska are omitted, Lake and Peninsula Borough becomes the least densely populated at 0.0296/km2 | 0.0767/sq mi.
|
|
|
|
| All States | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska (0.0173/km2 | 0.0449/sq mi) | New York County, New York (25,845.71/km2 | 66,940.07/sq mi) |
| Alabama | Wilcox County (5.7276/km2 | 14.8343/sq mi) | Jefferson County (229.75/km2 | 595.04/sq mi) |
| Alaska | Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area (0.0173/km2 | 0.0449/sq mi) | Municipality of Anchorage (59.21/km2 | 153.36) |
| Arizona | La Paz County (1.6916/km2 | 4.3812/sq mi) | Maricopa County (128.8868/km2 | 333.82/sq mi) |
| Arkansas | Calhoun County (3.5299/km2 | 9.1425/sq mi) | Pulaski County (181.06/km2 | 468.95/sq mi) |
| California | Alpine County (0.6315/km2 | 1.6355/sq mi) | City and County of San Francisco (6,422.57/km2 | 16,634.37/sq mi) |
| Colorado | Hinsdale County (0.2729/km2 | 0.7068/sq mi) | City and County of Denver (1,396.45/km2 | 3,616.78/sq mi) |
| Connecticut | Litchfield County (76.4686/km2 | 198.0527/sq mi) | Fairfield County (544.52/km2 | 1,410.30/sq mi) |
| Delaware | Sussex County (64.5049/km2 | 167.0668/sq mi) | New Castle County (453.13/km2 | 1,173.60/sq mi) |
| District of Columbia |
|
|
| Florida | Liberty County (3.2431/km2 | 8.3997/sq mi) | Pinellas County (1,271.04/km2 | 3,291.99/sq mi) |
| Georgia | Clinch County (3.2814/km2 | 8.4988/sq mi) | DeKalb County (958.56/km2 | 2,482.67/sq mi) |
| Hawaii | Kalawao County (4.2980/km2 | 11.1318/sq mi) | Honolulu County (564.03/km2 | 1,460.83/sq mi) |
| Idaho | Clark County (0.2236/km2 | 0.5792/sq mi) | Ada County (110.12/km2 | 285.22/sq mi) |
| Illinois | Pope County (4.5943/km2 | 11.8993/sq mi) | Cook County (2,195.51/km2 | 5,685.58/sq mi) |
| Indiana | Warren County (8.9086/km2 | 23.0732/sq mi) | Marion County (838.42/km2 | 2,171.50/sq mi) |
| Iowa | Ringgold County (3.9273/km2 | 10.1717/sq mi) | Polk County (254.04/km2 | 657.95/sq mi) |
| Kansas | Wallace County (0.7388/km2 | 1.9136/sq mi) | Wyandotte County (402.66/km2 | 1,042.88/sq mi) |
| Kentucky | Hickman County (8.3114/km2 | 21.5263/sq mi) | Jefferson County (695.43/km2 | 1,801.16/sq mi) |
| Louisiana | Cameron Parish (2.9380/km2 | 7.6095/sq mi) | Orleans Parish (1,036.43/km2 | 2,684.34/sq mi) |
| Maine | Piscataquis County (1.6778/km2 | 4.3454/sq mi) | Cumberland County (122.74/km2 | 317.90/sq mi) |
| Maryland | Garrett County (17.7846/km2 | 46.0618/sq mi) | City of Baltimore (independent city) (3,111.36/km2 | 8,058.40/sq mi) |
| Massachusetts | Franklin County (39.3429/km2 | 101.8976/sq mi) | Suffolk County (4,551.51/km2 | 11,788.35/sq mi) |
| Michigan | Keweenaw County (1.6423/km2 | 4.2534/sq mi) | Wayne County (1,295.80/km2 | 3,356.11/sq mi) |
| Minnesota | Lake of the Woods County (1.3465/km2 | 3.4873/sq mi) | Ramsey County (1,266.63/km2 | 3,280.55/sq mi) |
| Mississippi | Issaquena County (2.1256/km2 | 5.5052/sq mi) | Harrison County (126.00/km2 | 326.35/sq mi) |
| Missouri | Reynolds County (3.1837/km2 | 8.2458/sq mi) | City of St. Louis (independent city) (2,171.00/km2 | 5,622.87/sq mi) |
| Montana | Garfield County (0.1058/km2 | 0.2740/sq mi) | Yellowstone County (18.95/km2 | 49.09/sq mi) |
| Nebraska | McPherson County (0.2396/km2 | 0.6205/sq mi) | Douglas County (540.79/km2 | 1,400.65/sq mi) |
| Nevada | Esmeralda County (0.1045/km2 | 0.2706/sq mi) | Carson City (independent city) (141.28/km2 | 365.93/sq mi) |
| New Hampshire | Coos County (7.1008/km2 | 18.3911/sq mi) | Hillsborough County (167.79/km2 | 434.57/sq mi) |
| New Jersey | Salem County (73.4597/km2 | 190.2599/sq mi) | Hudson County (5,036.17/km2 | 13,043.62/sq mi) |
| New Mexico | Harding County (0.1471/km2 | 0.3811/sq mi) | Bernalillo County (209.755/km2 |543.138 /sq mi) |
| New York | Hamilton County (1.2072/km2 | 3.1266/sq mi) | New York County (25,845.71/km2 | 66,940.07/sq mi) |
| North Carolina | Hyde County (3.6708/km2 | 9.5073/sq mi) | Mecklenburg County (510.22/km2 | 1,321.47/sq mi) |
| North Dakota | Slope County (0.2431/km2 | 0.6298/sq mi) | Cass County (26.93/km2 | 69.76/sq mi) |
| Ohio | Vinton County (11.9407/km2 | 30.9264/sq mi) | Cuyahoga County (1,173.89/km2 | 3,040.37/sq mi) |
| Oklahoma | Cimarron County (0.6624/km2 | 1.7155/sq mi) | Tulsa County (381.36/km2 | 987.72/sq mi) |
| Oregon | Harney County (0.2899/km2 | 0.7508/sq mi) | Multnomah County (585.93/km2 | 1,517.55/sq mi) |
| Pennsylvania | Forest County (4.4606/km2 | 11.5529/sq mi) | Philadelphia County (4,337.32/km2 | 11,233.61/sq mi) |
| Rhode Island | Washington County (143.3532/km2 | 371.2830/sq mi) | Bristol County (792.22/km2 | 2,051.84/sq mi) |
| South Carolina | Allendale County (10.6041/km2 | 27.4645/sq mi) | Greenville County (185.51/km2 | 480.48/sq mi) |
| South Dakota | Harding County (0.1956/km2 | 0.5066/sq mi) | Minnehaha County (70.71/km2 | 183.14/sq mi) |
| Tennessee | Perry County (7.1014/km2 | 18.3926/sq mi) | Shelby County (459.25/km2 | 1,189.44/sq mi) |
| Texas | Loving County (0.0384/km2 | 0.0995/sq mi) | Dallas County (973.99/km2 | 2,522.63/sq mi) |
| Utah | Garfield County (0.3533/km2 | 0.9151/sq mi) | Salt Lake County (470.41/km2 | 1,218.35/sq mi) |
| Vermont | Essex County (3.7490/km2 | 9.7099/sq mi) | Chittenden County (104.99/km2 | 271.91/sq mi) |
| Virginia | Highland County (2.3545/km2 | 6.0983/sq mi) | City of Alexandria (independent city) (3,263.33/km2 | 8,451.99/sq mi) |
| Washington | Ferry County (1.2718/km2 | 3.2940/sq mi) | King County (315.46/km2 | 817.03/sq mi) |
| West Virginia | Pocahontas County (3.7494/km2 | 9.7109/sq mi) | Ohio County (172.46/km2 | 446.68/sq mi) |
| Wisconsin | Iron County (3.4983/km2 | 9.0606/sq mi) | Milwaukee County (1,502.73/km2 | 3,892.06/sq mi) |
| Wyoming | Niobrara County (0.3539/km2 | 0.9167/sq mi) | Laramie County (11.73/km2 | 30.38/sq mi) |
^ A: The Unorganized Borough, Alaska formed by the Borough Act of 1961 is a legal entity, run by the Alaska state government as an extension of State government,[3] it and the independently incorporated Unified, Home Rule, First Class and Second Class boroughs roughly correspond to parishes in Louisiana and to counties in the other 48 states.[4]
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||