Cities 101
Cities 101 is a public resource developed by the National League of Cities to introduce and explain municipal government in the United States. There are many ways cities are created, and there exists considerable variation in their power and authority, but these pages attempt to distill the most salient information. The content herein may be utilized and distributed, but please list NLC as the source.
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.
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.
Explains the legal document that defines the structure, powers, functions, and procedures of local government. Outlines the charter revision process.
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 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
Describes the purpose of this procedure.
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.
Defines these cooperative local government associations and provides examples.
City Officials
Identifies the elected positions of municipal government.
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.
List of Mayor-Controlled Public Schools
Describes the two categories of political and administrative authority afforded a mayor by the municipal charter.
Explains the lengths and limits of a mayor's term in office.
Illustrates the form and function of these local legislative bodies.
Average Salaries of Municipal Officials
Identifies the highest salaries of full-time municipal officials.
Defines the various local taxes and how they are levied. Provides sources to find current tax statistics.
Outlines the stages of the municipal budget process.
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
