There are 24 counties and equivalents in Maryland. The 23 counties are all functioning governmental units. Baltimore city is an independent city that functions governmentally at the place level but is also considered a county equivalent. Baltimore city and Baltimore County are two separate entities covering different area in Maryland and should not be confused with each other. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Talbot and Wicomico counties are each governed by a county council. All other counties are each governed by a board of county commissioners.
There are 290 county subdivisions in Maryland known as minor civil divisions (MCDs). All of the MCDs are nonfunctioning nongovernmental subdivisions of a county, used for conducting elections or recording properties. The 289 MCDs in 23 counties in Maryland are election districts. Baltimore city is independent of any MCD and serves as a county subdivision.
