I know generally with a larger population, a city is the largest. But I am not sure if the difference is just a legal one (how the town charter is written up?). Anyway, just looking to clarify this question that's been bugging me.
2006-06-14 02:58:46 · 5 answers · asked by David D 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Who has the ability to change this around? Is it authorized by the state or somehow self imposed?
2006-06-14 03:15:38 · update #1
no # of residents.....
2006-06-14 03:00:28 · answer #1 · answered by rottentothecore 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference between a city and a town is whether it is incorporated or not. I think incorporating is what gives the people the right to elect a mayor, city council, etc. We generally think of a city as having a large population, but I live in a place of about 2,500 and it is officially a city. I'm not familiar with a borough as we don't have them around here, but a township is a political subdivision of a county. Some counties are considered "county unit" which means the county departments (i.e. road departments) take care of all the roads and bridges in that county. Some are "County/Township units" which means the county is divided into different Townships and the County is responsible for maintenance on their roads (here, a County road is generally most of the asphalt roads in the county and they are responsible for all bridges larger than 20 ft. in length) and the Township is responsible for maintenance on their roads. Taxes are collected by the Township for this purpose, so people pay taxes to the County and to the Township. Hope this helps.
2006-06-14 10:16:46 · answer #2 · answered by cmdynamitefreckles 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer varies from state to state. Here, in Massachusetts, for example, we have cities individually chartered by the state with councils, aldermen, and mayors, and (generally smaller) towns that are governed by Selectmen and town meetings under general laws with incorporated (not chartered) governments.
2006-06-16 19:44:45 · answer #3 · answered by mark v 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My niece is an assistant city manager, I asked her the same question...
Generaly speaking it all has to do with population and a communities ability to impose different types of tax and zoning.
2006-06-14 10:01:45 · answer #4 · answered by Looking4Help727 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe a town is not a city till it has a cathedral.
2006-06-14 10:05:38 · answer #5 · answered by shrek 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋