The Organization Component of the Census of Governments provides the official count of active U.S. governments. This count is based on the Governments Unit Survey (GUS) and continuous updates to the Governments Master Address File (GMAF).
Publications
From Municipalities to Special Districts, Official Count of Every Type
This article discusses special district governments in the U.S. Learn about these and other local governments.
Individual State Descriptions: 2017 Census of Governments
Explains structures of different types of local governments and how local governments' responsibilities & authority vary from state to state.
Government Organization Summary Report: 2012
Data collected as part of the 2012 Census of Governments summarizing the structure and organization of state and local governments.
Tables
2017 Census of Governments – Organization
View and download the State and Local Government Structures Tables.
2012 Census of Governments – Organization
View and download the State and Local Government Structures Tables.
2007 Census of Governments – Organization
View and download the Local and State Government Structures tables.