Place
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Places -- Incorporated Cities and Census Designated Places (CDP)
A census incorporated city, more commonly referred to as an "incorporated place" by the U.S. Census Bureau, is a type of governmental unit that is legally established under the laws of its state.
Here's what that means:
| • | Legal Status: An incorporated place has a legally defined boundary and a functioning government with specific powers and functions granted by the state. This government is typically administered by elected officials, such as a mayor and a city council. |
| • | Governmental Functions: The primary purpose of an incorporated place is to provide governmental services to its residents. These can include things like police and fire departments, sanitation, public works, and local zoning laws. |
| • | Examples: Incorporated places are most commonly cities, towns, villages, or boroughs, although the specific term and requirements for incorporation vary by state. |
| • | Contrast with a Census-Designated Place (CDP): The key difference between an incorporated place and a census-designated place (CDP) is the legal status. A CDP is a statistical entity for data collection, representing an unincorporated community without a legally defined boundary or its own government. An incorporated place, on the other hand, is a legal entity with its own government and official boundaries. |
A census-designated place (CDP) is a statistical entity defined by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purpose of collecting and presenting data for unincorporated communities. Unlike an incorporated city or town, a CDP does not have a legally defined boundary or its own municipal government.
Here's a breakdown of what that means:
| • | Statistical Purpose: The primary reason for a CDP is to provide data for populated areas that would otherwise have no identity within the Census Bureau's geographic framework. This allows for the collection of demographic and economic information for communities that are well-known but lack formal legal status. |
| • | No Legal Status: A CDP's boundaries have no legal authority. They do not affect local laws, taxes, or the provision of services, which are typically handled by the county or state. The boundaries may change from one decennial census to the next to reflect changes in settlement patterns. |
| • | Statistical Counterpart to Incorporated Places: The Census Bureau treats CDPs as the statistical equivalent of incorporated places (like cities and towns). This allows for a more comprehensive comparison of population and other data for both types of localities. |
| • | Examples: A CDP can be a small rural community, a large suburb, a university town, or a military base. For instance, Paradise, Nevada (home to the Las Vegas Strip), and East Los Angeles, California, are both large CDPs with no independent municipal government. |