Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Arizona
How local government works in Arizona, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Arizona’s Local Wiki pages below.
Arizona's 15 counties are each governed by an elected Board of Supervisors (three members in smaller counties, five in the largest) that holds combined legislative and executive power — adopting the budget, setting the county tax rate, and overseeing county departments, usually with an appointed county manager or administrator running daily operations. The Clerk of the Board keeps meeting agendas and minutes, while the elected County Recorder handles recorded documents like deeds and runs voter registration. For a public meeting, start with the Clerk of the Board; for recorded documents, the County Recorder.
Local government in Arizona
- County governments15
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse county pages - Cities, towns & villages91
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - School districts242
Independent school districts, plus 12 school systems run by a county, city, or town government. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts325
Single-purpose governments — fire, water, library, parks, housing, transit, and more.
Counts: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Units listing. A consolidated city-county is counted once.
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