Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Minnesota
How local government works in Minnesota, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Minnesota’s Local Wiki pages below.
All 87 Minnesota counties are governed by an elected County Board of Commissioners, the default and near-universal structure. State law does allow counties to opt into alternate structures — including an elected-executive plan or a county manager or administrator plan — but these are rare in practice. For a public meeting or records request, the county board, and its administrator where one exists, is the right point of contact.
Local government in Minnesota
- County governments87
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse county pages - Cities, towns & villages854
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - Townships1,777
Township governments beneath the county, often handling local roads and assistance.
- School districts330
Independent school districts with their own elected boards. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts578
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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