City Structures
Local U.S. Governments
Defines and enumerates the different types of local government bodies.
Number of Local Governments & Population Distribution
Total number of local governments in the U.S. and the number of local governments in each of 10 population ranges.
Forms of Municipal Government
Defines the four forms of government as determined by a municipality's charter. Reports the incidence and trends of these forms in local governments across the nation. Lists the form of government of the 30 most populous cities.
Municipal Charters
Explains the legal document that defines the structure, powers, functions, and procedures of local government. Outlines the charter revision process.
City-County Consolidations
List of Consolidated City-County Governments
Describes the purpose, structure, and process of joining two or more neighboring governments. Lists the 34 consolidated governments and other exceptions to the norm
State Municipal Leagues
State municipal leagues are membership associations representing the interests of the municipal governments in each state. League members are the cities and towns, as well as their elected and appointed officials and municipal employees, often including managers and administrators. Municipal leagues can also be umbrella organizations for other similar groups and associations in the state. Information about each of the 49 state municipal leagues is available via the NLC Member Directory.
City Powers
Municipal Annexation
Describes the purpose of this procedure.
Local Government Authority
Explains the two main types of power limitations that states place upon their municipalities, known as Home Rule and Dillon's Rule. Lists the states by which rule they employ.
Metropolitan Councils
Defines these cooperative local government associations and provides examples.
City Officials
Elected Officials
Identifies the elected positions of municipal government.
Municipal Elections
Details the three main forms of municipal elections.
Partisan vs. Nonpartisan Elections
Outlines the main arguments around partisan election practices. Lists the election types of the 30 most populous cities.
Mayoral Powers
List of Mayor-Controlled Public Schools
Describes the two categories of political and administrative authority afforded a mayor by the municipal charter.
Mayor's Term
Explains the lengths and limits of a mayor's term in office.
City Councils
Illustrates the form and function of these local legislative bodies.
Average Salaries of Municipal Officials
Identifies the highest salaries of full-time municipal officials.
City Finances
Local Revenue Structures
Defines the various local taxes and how they are levied. Provides sources to find current tax statistics.
Public Budgets
Outlines the stages of the municipal budget process.
Financing Public Education
Identifies the percentage each level of government contributes to public education and the diversity of funding mechanisms.
Current Issues in City Finance
Learn more about NLC's work on City Finance.
City Factoids
The Athenian Oath
Provides the English version of this millenia-old oath of civic responsibility.
American Flag at Half-Mast
Outlines the legal and customary guidelines for when the flag is flown at half-mast.
City "Firsts"
Lists notable first happenings around the country.
City Rankings
Superlative cities recognized for a variety of topics.
History's First Mayors
Names several mayors who were the first of their kind.
Miscellaneous Factoids
Other interesting facts about cities.
Most Common U.S. Street Names
Lists the most frequently used names for streets.
Notable Cities
Lists cities with distinctive nicknames.
Patriotic-Sounding City Names
Quantifies the number of cities with names such as Liberty and Independence.
Sister Cities
Describes this unique exchange mechanism between U.S. cities and international partners.
Songs About Cities
Lists some of the popular songs written about cities in the United States.
The 30 Most Populous Cities