with all the powers of city governments, usually contain considerable rural area; other units of government perform the incorporated place function. In Alaska, the term borough refers to territory governed as a county rather than as a place; in New York, the Census Bureau treats the five boroughs that comprise New York city as MCDs.
Table 9-1. State Requirements for Incorporated Places
| Alabama |  |
City | Minimum population requirement of 2,000. |
  |
Town | Minimum population requirement of 300; territory located in Jefferson County, or within 3 miles of an incorporated area, requires a population ≥ 1,000 to incorporate; territory in Jefferson County and within 3 miles of an incorporated area requires ≥ 10,000 people to incorporate. | |
| Alaska | City | No minimum population requirement, but approval of Alaska Department of Community Affairs is required. | |
| Arizona |  |
City | Minimum population requirement of 1,500. |
 |
Town | Same requirements as for a city. | |
| Arkansas | |
City | Minimum population requirement of 500. |
|
Town | Must have ≥ 20 qualified voters to incorporate. | |
| California | |
City | Minimum of 500 registered voters to incorporate. |
|
Town | Same requirements as for a city. | |
| Colorado | |
City | Minimum population requirement of 2,000. |
|
Town | Petition must be signed by ≥ 40 registered voters in counties with < 25,000 people, and ≥ 150 registered voters in counties with a population ≥ 25,000. Population density must be ≥ 50 people per square mile. | |
| Connecticut | |
City | Incorporation is by special act of the State legislature; there is no minimum population requirement. |
|
Borough | Same requirements as for a city. | |
| Delaware |  |
City | Incorporation is by special act of the State legislature; there is no minimum population requirement, except for home-rule cities, which require a minimum of 1,000 inhabitants. |
 |
Town | Incorporation is by special act of the State legislature; there is no minimum population requirement. | |
|
Village | Same requirements as for a town. | |
| District of Columbia | City | No minimum population requirement; has a single incorporated place covering its entire area. |
Places9-3
