Local Government in Rhode Island

Rhode Island's counties are purely historical and judicial boundaries, used for court districts, with no governmental function — they've had no operating government since the 1840s. All local governance happens at the city or town level, so a resident should contact their city or town council, mayor, or town manager, and file records requests with the municipal clerk.

Most states structure local government as a small elected commission with combined legislative and executive power; Rhode Island instead has no county government layer at all — that tier was abolished in the 19th century, and its cities and towns carry out all local governance directly.

Local government in Rhode Island

• County governments0

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

• Cities, towns & villages8

  Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.

  Browse city & town pagesarrow_forward
• Towns31

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

• School districts4

  Independent school districts, plus 32 school systems run by a county, city, or town government. Listed on county pages where known.

• Special districts84

  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.