Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Indiana
How local government works in Indiana, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Indiana’s Local Wiki pages below.
Indiana counties split authority between two separately elected boards: a three-member Board of Commissioners that handles administration and executive functions, and a County Council (7 or 9 members) that controls the budget and fiscal matters. There's no single fused board and no separately elected strong executive — a budget or fiscal question goes to the council, while a permitting or administrative question goes to the commissioners. Marion County is the exception, consolidated with Indianapolis under "Unigov." Most counties list both bodies' meeting agendas and clerk contacts on the county website.
Most states fuse legislative and executive power into one small elected board; Indiana instead splits authority between two separately elected bodies — commissioners for administration, a council for the budget — with neither holding both.
Local government in Indiana
- County governments91
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse county pages - Cities, towns & villages566
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - Townships1,004
Township governments beneath the county, often handling local roads and assistance.
- School districts290
Independent school districts with their own elected boards. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts691
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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