Unincorporated area Explained

Ashly Chole Senior Finance Researcher

Last Updated 08 August 2025

Unincorporated areas are regions that lack a local municipal corporation. These areas can vary greatly in size, ranging from small to vast expanses. Despite being unincorporated, many of these locations still have some form of governmental organization, often represented by elected officials. These governments may have their police force, and fire department, and may even oversee local schools, and libraries, and collect taxes on behalf of themselves or other organizations, such as a neighborhood city hall or county government office. They may also establish agreements with other entities, such as a 'public authority' as permitted by state law, to provide services like road repair, following specific guidelines established by legislators at various levels.

To ascertain if an area is unincorporated, the usual approach is to examine its legal status. If the area is governed by a local municipal corporation, it is considered to be within the jurisdiction of that municipality. Unincorporated areas may also be referred to by different names, such as 'townships,' 'villages,' or 'census-designated places.'

Unincorporated places come in a variety of shapes and sizes

Unincorporated areas can take various forms in different countries. In the United States and Canada, a 'town' (also known as a 'city') is a type of incorporated municipality with its government. On the other hand, a 'village' is similar to a town but is smaller in size and may offer fewer services. In other countries, an unincorporated territory could be governed by a local board of trustees or city council, or may even fall under a different form of government altogether, such as state authority rather than municipal governance.

Unincorporated territories in the United States can be referred to as either a 'town' or a 'city,' depending on their population size. A town is usually large enough to provide most of the services that cities offer, but still small enough to have only one municipal administration. It may also have the ability to offer some of its services. On the other hand, a village is typically smaller than a town and may lack the resources to provide services independently. Another term used for unincorporated areas is 'census-designated place' (CDP), which is a classification given by the U.S. Census Bureau. A CDP does not have its government or elected officials, as it is not considered a legal entity, but rather a statistical designation for an identified region.

A territory that lacks a local municipal corporation is referred to as an unincorporated area

Unincorporated regions can vary in size and population, depending on the demands and needs of the residents. These areas typically require some form of the local authority, such as a small local board or city hall, to function effectively. They may be considered as part of a larger city or county and are sometimes referred to as 'unorganized territory.' Unincorporated regions can have a rural character, although they can also be found in suburban or other developed metropolitan areas.

Unincorporated places in the United States, which are sometimes referred to as 'townships,' 'villages,' or 'cities,' can be considered subdivisions of larger cities or counties. These areas may be part of a county or a larger city and can have either a rural or suburban character or be found in other developed metropolitan areas. The terms 'townships,' 'villages,' or 'cities' are commonly used to describe unincorporated places in the United States.

Any size can be considered an unincorporated area

The term 'unincorporated places' can be used to describe areas of varying sizes, ranging from small to large. These unincorporated places can be found in different parts of the world, such as a town in France or an island off the coast of California or Australia. It's essential to recognize that each unincorporated area has its unique characteristics and history. While there may be various reasons for the creation of these geographic entities, such as reimagining government functions, it's important to note that not all unincorporated places share the same reasons or motivations.

There is no universally agreed-upon definition of an 'unincorporated region,' but there are certain points on which many people would likely concur. Firstly, unincorporated regions are not under the jurisdiction of local municipal corporations. Secondly, they typically do not fall under the administration of any specific county, although there may be exceptions. Thirdly, unincorporated areas differ from rural communities in that they may have their government or be governed by another nearby municipality. Unincorporated places can be found in various locations around the world, from towns in France to islands off the coast of California or Australia. While there are several justifications for creating these geographical entities, it's important to note that they can vary widely in their motivations and reasons for existence.

An 'unincorporated region' must nonetheless have some kind of governance, regardless of size

An 'unincorporated region' necessitates some form of governance, regardless of its size. This can range from smaller organizations such as villages or towns to local municipal corporations or city halls. There are also two other types of unincorporated communities: those that lack any local government altogether, and those that have a government but still refer to themselves as 'unincorporated.' For example, a resident of San Diego County might live in a neighborhood that falls within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. This could be an attractive option for someone seeking a smaller community than Los Angeles County itself and who doesn't mind being closer to downtown Los Angeles than the city's outskirts (or even further beyond).

The third type of unincorporated territory lacks any form of municipal authority. This means that individuals residing in such areas fall under the jurisdiction of the county or state government, which may result in higher taxes and fewer services. Most unincorporated regions are rural, sparsely populated, and not governed by any city. Almost all states, except for Hawaii, Montana, and New Hampshire, have unincorporated territories within their borders.

Gated communities, planned developments, and master-planned communities are among the common types of unincorporated areas. These are often designed for individuals who desire greater control over the construction of their homes and the governance of their neighborhoods. Due to the additional amenities and services provided (and the lack of local amenities), these areas tend to be more expensive to reside in compared to other areas.

A small or big geographic area may be referred to as an unincorporated area

Unincorporated areas refer to geographic regions that lack regulation by a local municipal organization and can vary greatly in size, ranging from small to large territories. The term 'unincorporated' implies a lack of governance. Despite this, unincorporated areas typically have some form of political structure and/or laws in place for their residents. These areas can be found in both rural and urban regions in the United States, and the degree of autonomy can vary depending on the specific location. Each state has its own rules and definitions for what constitutes an unincorporated community within its borders. Furthermore, unincorporated areas can take different forms in various countries, such as Canada, with their unique characteristics and regulations.

An unincorporated area is a territory that lacks a local municipal corporation and is not regulated by such an organization. These areas can vary greatly in size, from small to large geographic regions. The term 'unincorporated' suggests a lack of governance. Despite this, unincorporated areas typically have some form of political structure and/or laws in place for their residents. In different nations, the size and characteristics of unincorporated areas can vary significantly. A sparsely inhabited geographic region is often referred to as a rural area, which is typically characterized by lower population density and less development compared to metropolitan areas. The term 'rural' connotes a connection to the countryside.