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Counties of Pennsylvania: organization, responsibilities, and special cases

Explore Pennsylvania's 67 counties: how they are organized, elected officials and core duties—courts, records, elections, taxes, health services—and special cases such as Philadelphia's consolidated city-county.

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Overview

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is divided into sixty-seven counties, which serve as the principal local government subdivisions within the United States of America. These counties vary widely in population, area, and urbanization, ranging from densely populated metropolitan counties to sparsely settled rural ones.

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Map of Pennsylvania counties in 1836
en.wikipedia.org · Public domain

Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia occupies the same territory as Philadelphia County. Since 1854 the city and county have operated under a consolidated form of government, with most county-level responsibilities administered by the city government.

Roles and organization

Counties in Pennsylvania perform many routine government functions. Typical responsibilities include:

  • maintaining local courts and jail facilities;
  • recording deeds, mortgages, and other official records;
  • administering elections and voter registration;
  • providing public health and social services;
  • managing property assessment and tax collection.

Most counties are governed by an elected board (commonly called commissioners) and have additional elected officers such as sheriffs, treasurers, and prothonotary or register of wills, depending on the county.

Questions and answers

Q: How many counties are there in Pennsylvania?

A: There are sixty-seven counties in Pennsylvania.

Q: What is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?

A: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state in the United States of America.

Q: Which county shares boundaries with the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania?

A: Philadelphia County shares boundaries with the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania.

Q: When did the sharing of governmental functions between Philadelphia County and the city of Philadelphia begin?

A: The sharing of governmental functions between Philadelphia County and the city of Philadelphia began in 1854.

Q: Is Philadelphia County an independent entity outside of the city of Philadelphia?

A: No, Philadelphia County is not an independent entity outside of the city of Philadelphia.

Q: Are there any counties in Pennsylvania that have the same name as a major city in the state?

A: Yes, there are several counties in Pennsylvania that have the same name as a major city in the state, such as Philadelphia County, Pittsburgh County, and Erie County.

Q: Do all counties in Pennsylvania have the same size and population?

A: No, all counties in Pennsylvania do not have the same size and population. Some counties may be larger or more populous than others.

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AlegsaOnline.com Counties of Pennsylvania: organization, responsibilities, and special cases

URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/124629

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