Township - United States

United States

There are two types of townships in the United States. A state may have one or both types. In states that have both, the boundaries usually coincide.

  • A survey township is a unit of land measure defined by the Public Land Survey System.
  • A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. In many states, townships are organized and operate under the authority of state statutes, similar to counties. In others, townships operate as municipal corporations - chartered entities with a degree of home rule. However, there are some exceptions. The most notable ones being New Jersey and Pennsylvania, townships are a class of incorporation with fixed boundaries and equal standing to a village, town, borough, or city, analogous to a New England town or towns in New York.

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