PENNSYLVANIA - These 67 counties are the primary political and administrative subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Each one functions as a local government, with its own county seat (the center of government) and elected officials.
The counties vary dramatically in size and population, from the dense, urban Philadelphia County (which shares its borders perfectly with the City of Philadelphia) to the vast, rural landscapes of Lycoming County (the state's largest by area).
This system of 67 counties has been in place for a long time. The last county to be created was Lackawanna County, which was formed from a part of Luzerne County in 1878.
How Are the Counties Classified?
Pennsylvania also organizes its counties into nine "classes" based on their population. This classification determines the structure and powers of the county government.
First Class: Only Philadelphia County meets the requirement (1.5 million people or more).
Second Class: Only Allegheny County (home to Pittsburgh) qualifies (between 800,000 and 1.5 million people).
Other Classes: The remaining 65 counties fall into other classes, from "Second Class A" (like Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware counties) all the way down to "Eighth Class" for counties with fewer than 20,000 residents.
How Many Counties are in Pennsylvania?
How Many Counties are in Pennsylvania?
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