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GLOSSARY FOR NEW YORK STATE
(Below is a summary; For more detail, go to: Political subdivisions of New York State
County
A county is a municipal corporation, a subdivision of the state, created to
perform state functions; a "regional" government. All counties are divided into
cities, towns and Indian reservations.
City
A city is a unique governmental entity with its own special charter. Cities are
not sub-divided, except into neighborhoods, which are informal geographic areas.
NOTE: As of 2005, there are no cities in Allegany County.
Town
A town is a municipal corporation and encompasses all territory within the state
except that within cities or Indian reservations. Towns can be sub-divided into
villages and hamlets.
Village
A village is a general purpose municipal corporation formed voluntarily by the
residents of an area in one or more towns to provide themselves with municipal
services. The pattern of village organization is similar to those of a city. A
village is divided into neighborhoods, which are informal geographic areas.
Hamlet
A hamlet is an unincorporated area in one or more towns that is governed
at-large by the town(s) it is in. A hamlet is divided into neighborhoods, which
are informal geographic areas.
Postal Zone "City" and "Town"
A postal zone "City" and "Town" is an administrative district established by the
U.S. Postal Service to deliver the mail. Postal zone "City" and "Town" may not
(but are encouraged to) conform to municipal or community borders. Thus, postal
zone location does not always determine city, village or hamlet
location.
Please be aware: In many areas of New York State, the problem of non-conforming
postal zones leads to a situation where the majority of places have a different
community name in their mailing address than the community where that place is
actually located.
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