worstatit t1_irs4qe7 wrote on October 10, 2022 at 4:54 PM

Townships are geographical subdivisions of counties. If well populated, they become political subdivisions, with governing bodies, services, etc. Most are governed by small unpaid supervisory boards that are responsible for roads. Cities and towns are defined and classified, I believe, by PA Code, which also classifiesTownships. Some internet research will give you your answers.

IamSauerKraut t1_irsqrkv wrote on October 10, 2022 at 7:22 PM

Townships are not "subdivisions" of counties; rather, they are separate and distinct in definition and operation from counties. Townships, regardless of population (example, Cold Spring Township in far northern Lebanon County has long had zero or next-to zero residents) are their political entities. Most townships have a 3-member board of supervisors who are paid a small annual stipend. There are at least 2 categories of townships, but what separates them is not strictly population based. The Municipal Planning Code has all that.