What is the difference between Cities, Villages and Towns in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, municipalities are categorized into cities, villages, and towns, each with distinct governance structures and powers. Read on to learn the exact differences
In Wisconsin, cities, villages, and towns are all municipalities that provide local services. The main differences between them are their size, population density, and level of authority
Size
- Cities: Typically large, developed urban areas with a large population
- Towns: Typically smaller than cities, but still have developed infrastructure
- Villages: Often rural areas with populations in the thousands or hundreds
Population density
- Cities: Densely populated urban areas
- Towns: Typically smaller than cities
- Villages: Often rural areas with populations in the thousands or hundreds
Level of authority
- Cities: Have home rule power and greater flexibility to govern themselves
- Villages: Have home rule power and greater flexibility to govern themselves
- Towns: Have less authority than cities and villages, and can only implement functions authorized by state law
Cities:
Cities are autonomous incorporated areas within one or more counties, typically more urbanized than towns. They possess the highest degree of home rule and taxing authority among Wisconsin municipalities. Cities are governed by a Common or City Council, which includes a mayor or city manager and elected council members. The mayor or city manager serves as the chief executive officer, while the council acts as the legislative body. Cities can choose to hire a city administrator or city manager instead of electing a mayor. City officers may include a mayor or city manager, treasurer, clerk, attorney, and health officials. Cities may also have an engineer, comptroller, assessors, street commissioner, and a board of public works. Cities in Wisconsin are divided into four classes based on population size:
- First class: Cities with 150,000 or more residents
- Second class: Cities with 39,000 to 149,999 residents
- Third class: Cities with 10,000 to 38,999 residents
- Fourth class: Cities with 9,999 or fewer residents
To incorporate as a city, a community must have at least 1,000 citizens if it is in a rural area or 5,000 if it is in an urban area.
Villages:
Villages are also autonomous incorporated areas within one or more counties, providing various services to residents and possessing a degree of home rule and taxing authority. They are governed by a Village President and a Board of Trustees. Village officers include a president, clerk, treasurer, and assessor. Villages may also elect to hire a village manager to oversee day-to-day operations instead of an elected village president. In order to incorporate as a village, a community must have at least 150 citizens if it is in a rural area or 2,500 if it is in an urban area.
Towns:
Towns are unincorporated minor civil divisions of counties with limited self-government. They are governed by a town board and provide limited services to residents. Towns may have the same name as a city or village associated with it, but it is a separate municipality. Towns are not incorporated and are governed by a town board, providing limited services to residents.
In summary, cities and villages are incorporated municipalities with varying degrees of self-governance and service provision, while towns are unincorporated areas with more limited governance structures.
Examples of different Cities, Villages and Towns in Door County
Cities
Villages
- Village of Egg Harbor
- Village of Ephraim
- Village of Sister Bay
Towns
- Town of Baileys Harbor
- Town of Brussels
- Town of Clay Banks
- Town of Forestville
- Town of Gardner
- Town of Gibraltar
- Town of Jacksonport
- Town of Liberty Grove
- Town of Nasewaupee
- Town of Sevastopol
- Town of Union
- Town of Washington Island