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Why Is There Only One Town in Pennsylvania?
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Bloomsburg welcome sign Map highlighting the location of Bloomsburg within the state of Pennsylvania, United States, with surrounding states and major geographic features labeled for context. A small inset globe shows the general location of Pennsylvania in eastern North America.

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Bloomsburg welcome sign
Bloomsburg welcome sign Sign welcoming visitors to Bloomsburg and stating that it is the only official town in Pennsylvania.

Why Is There Only One Town in Pennsylvania?

Written by
Scott Spires
Scott Spires is Associate Editor for Geography at Encyclopædia Britannica.
Scott Spires
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has 1,546 townships, 954 boroughs, 67 counties, 56 cities—and only one town. The lone town is Bloomsburg, which was officially designated as such in 1870. All other municipalities in the state are classified differently. How did this unique situation come about? The complexities of Pennsylvania’s system of municipalities go back to its foundation as a colony in the 17th century. King Charles II of England gave William Penn, the state’s founder,...

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