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Population Review

How many counties are in the United States?

There are 3,222 counties (and county equivalents) in the United States with Census ACS data, including parishes in Louisiana and boroughs in Alaska. The exact count varies slightly depending on the source.

Context

Counties are the primary subdivisions of states and serve as the main unit of local government in most of the US. They administer courts, elections, property records, public health, and law enforcement. Louisiana uses "parishes" instead of counties, and Alaska uses "boroughs." Some independent cities (like those in Virginia) are not part of any county.

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Frequently Asked Questions

There are 3,222 counties (and county equivalents) in the United States with Census ACS data, including parishes in Louisiana and boroughs in Alaska. The exact count varies slightly depending on the source.