Massachusetts Cities by Population 2026

Massachusetts has a unique municipal structure with 14 counties and 351 cities and towns, which are the primary units of local government. Many counties in Massachusetts are vestigial, as cities and towns are empowered to provide most local services, and several counties have dissolved their governments, transferring responsibilities to the state.

Boston, the state’s capital and largest city, operates under a strong-mayor system, where the mayor exercises significant control over public services such as policing, education, and public works. The city council, representing Boston’s neighborhoods, legislates on policies, budgets, and zoning, providing a balance of local representation and executive management.

Smaller cities and towns, such as Cambridge and Worcester, often operate under council-manager or representative town meeting systems. The council-manager model includes an elected council and an appointed manager who handles daily administration, while towns use representative town meetings where elected representatives vote on policies and budgets.

Counties in Massachusetts, such as Barnstable County, serve more as geographic regions than functioning governmental units. Only a few counties, like Bristol County and Norfolk County, have limited authority to manage certain judicial and administrative tasks. In many areas, the state handles county functions, from public health to law enforcement, leaving most governance to cities and towns.

Unincorporated areas are rare in Massachusetts, as nearly the entire state is incorporated into towns or cities. However, in some rural regions, such as in western Massachusetts, towns rely heavily on volunteer or part-time officials to manage services like public safety, road maintenance, and local planning.

Regional planning commissions help Massachusetts cities and towns with land use, housing, and environmental policies, ensuring cohesive growth and sustainable practices across municipal boundaries.