Local Government in Connecticut

Connecticut has no functional county government at all; it was formally abolished in 1960. Today its eight "counties" are geographic labels only, with no budget or elected officials attached. All local governance happens at the town level — Connecticut is fully divided into 169 towns and cities with no unincorporated land — each with its own government (commonly a Board of Selectmen and/or town or city council) and a town clerk who handles public records. For a meeting or records request, contact the town clerk or town hall directly, not a "county."

Most states rely on county government as a meaningful layer of local governance below the state level; Connecticut abolished county government entirely in 1960 and shifted those responsibilities to its town governments.

Local government in Connecticut

• County governments0

  Connecticut has no county governments — cities and towns carry out most local government.

• Cities, towns & villages30

  Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.

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• Towns149

  Town governments, which cover most of the state outside its cities.

• School districts17

  Independent school districts, plus 149 school systems run by a county, city, or town government. Listed on county pages where known.

• Special districts431

  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.