List of counties by U.S. state and territory

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List of Counties by U.S. State and Territory is a comprehensive enumeration of the county and county-equivalent administrative divisions in the United States and its territories. The United States is divided into 50 states, most of which are further divided into counties. There are 3,142 counties and county-equivalents in the United States as of the latest count. Counties serve various governmental functions including law enforcement, local road maintenance, and record-keeping. The number of counties per state varies widely, from Delaware with the fewest at 3 to Texas with the most at 254.

Overview

Counties are one of the oldest forms of government in the United States, with their origins predating the country's independence. They perform essential administrative roles, including property record maintenance, local law enforcement, and, in some states, the administration of local courts. In addition to counties, the United States also recognizes county-equivalents, which include Louisiana's parishes and Alaska's boroughs, among others. The District of Columbia, while not a state, is considered a county-equivalent for statistical purposes.

List of Counties by State

Each state's constitution or laws define the role and scope of counties within its jurisdiction. Here is a brief overview of the number of counties by state:

• Alabama: 67
• Alaska: 19 boroughs and 1 unorganized borough, considered county-equivalents
• Arizona: 15
• Arkansas: 75
• California: 58
• Colorado: 64
• Connecticut: 8, though county government was abolished in 1960 and today counties serve only as geographical divisions
• Delaware: 3
• Florida: 67
• Georgia: 159
• Hawaii: 5 counties
• Idaho: 44
• Illinois: 102
• Indiana: 92
• Iowa: 99
• Kansas: 105
• Kentucky: 120
• Louisiana: 64 parishes
• Maine: 16
• Maryland: 23 counties and 1 independent city, Baltimore City
• Massachusetts: 14, though county governments have been abolished in eight of these
• Michigan: 83
• Minnesota: 87
• Mississippi: 82
• Missouri: 114 counties and 1 independent city, St. Louis
• Montana: 56
• Nebraska: 93
• Nevada: 17
• New Hampshire: 10
• New Jersey: 21
• New Mexico: 33
• New York: 62
• North Carolina: 100
• North Dakota: 53
• Ohio: 88
• Oklahoma: 77
• Oregon: 36
• Pennsylvania: 67
• Rhode Island: 5 counties, though there is no county government
• South Carolina: 46
• South Dakota: 66
• Tennessee: 95
• Texas: 254
• Utah: 29
• Vermont: 14
• Virginia: 95 counties and 38 independent cities
• Washington: 39
• West Virginia: 55
• Wisconsin: 72
• Wyoming: 23

Territories

In addition to the 50 states, the United States has several territories, some of which have their own system of county-equivalents. These include:

• American Samoa: None, divided into districts and villages
• Guam: Not divided into counties, operates as a single entity
• Northern Mariana Islands: Not divided into counties, operates as a single entity
• Puerto Rico: 78 municipalities
• U.S. Virgin Islands: 3 districts

Significance and Functions

Counties and their equivalents are crucial for the administration of local government functions in the United States. They are responsible for law enforcement through the sheriff's office, maintenance of public records such as property deeds, and the administration of local elections. In many states, counties also play a significant role in the provision of health services, public welfare, and infrastructure maintenance.