ix of timeliness, relevancy, quality, and cost for the data we collect.
Our researchers explore innovative ways to conduct surveys, increase respondent participation, reduce costs, and improve accuracy.
Our surveys provide periodic and comprehensive statistics about the nation, critical for government programs, policies, and decisionmaking.
Learn about other opportunities to collaborate with us.
Explore the rich historical background of an organization with roots almost as old as the nation.
Explore prospective positions available at the Census Bureau.
Explore Census programs targeted for particular needs.
Discover the latest in Census Bureau data releases, reports, and events.
The Census Bureau's Director writes on how we measure America's people, places and economy.
Find interesting and quirky statistics regarding national celebrations and major events.
Listen to audio files on fun facts, historical figures, and celebrations of the month.
Find media toolkits, advisories, and all the latest Census news.
See what's coming up in releases and reports.
This report is released to inform interested parties of research and to encourage discussion. The views expressed on statistical, methodological, or technical issues are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the U.S. Census Bureau.
More than 60 percent of all United States residents live inside incorporated places. As each state has its own laws governing the establishment and functioning of incorporated places, the number and nature of incorporated places (and the distribution of population living inside and outside of them) varies by state and region. Research by Census Bureau staff has shown that the proportion of population living inside incorporated places in 1990 and 2000 was higher in the Midwest and West regions, and lower in the Northeast and South regions (Johnson et al., 2004). This paper expands on that previous research by examining the distribution of population living inside and outside incorporated places, as well as the number of units of local government, for the United States, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas in aggregate, and individual metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. The statistical tables included show 2000 population data for incorporated places as of January 1, 2003, and metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas as of June 6, 2003.
FIGURES AND STATISTICAL TABLES
Figure 1. Map of Population Living Inside Incorporated Places by Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area: 2000
Figure 2. Census Regions and Divisions of the United States
Table 1. Population Inside and Outside Incorporated Places: 2000
Excel (16k) | PDF (8k)
Table 2. Population Inside and Outside Core Based Statistical Areas by Incorporation Status
Excel (16k) | PDF (14k)
Table 3. Population by Incorporation Status: 2000, and Number of Governmental Units: 2003 for Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas
Excel (145k) | PDF (83k)
Table 4a. Metro Areas with the Most Governmental Units: 2003
Excel (17k) | PDF (24k)
Table 4b. Number of Governmental units for the Ten Largest Metro Areas: 2003
Excel (1k) | PDF (24k)
Table 5. Metro Areas With 100 or More Governmental Units: 2003, and More Than 40 Percent Population Outside Incorporated Places: 2000
Excel (18k) | PDF (25k)
An incorporated place is a geographic area with legally defined municipal boundaries under the laws of the state in which it is located. The most common legal descriptors for such places are city, town, borough, and village, though other, less common examples do exist. Typically, each incorporated place has a set of elected or appointed officials and legally prescribed powers to levy taxes and raise revenue, and to provide local services such as water, sewer, sanitation, fire and police protection, schools, and recreational facilities. In unincorporated areas, such services are typically provided by either the county or minor civil division government, or sometimes by a nearby incorporated place (U.S. Census Bureau, 1994).
The laws for establishing an incorporated place 