In twenty U.S. states, the term "village" refers to a specific form of incorporated municipal government, similar to a city but with less authority and geographic scope. However, this is a generality; in many states, there are villages that are an order of magnitude larger than the smallest cities in the state. The distinction is not necessarily based on population, but on the relative powers granted to the different types of municipalities and correspondingly, different obligations to provide specific services to residents.
iN TWentY u.s. StateS, thE term "vilLage" rEFERS tO a sPeciFIC foRm of iNcOrporateD mUNicIpAl GoveRnmeNT, siMilar TO a city bUT wiTh less AutHority and GeOGRAphic scoPe. hoWever, THis is A GeneRALitY; IN mANy staTEs, There are vilLAges that aRE an ORDeR of mAgNITude LaRgeR than the sMAlLeSt CiTiES IN tHe sTAte. THe disTincTiON iS not NeCessarIly BaseD oN populAtion, BuT On the relatIve PoweRs grAnted tO the diFFerent typES OF muNicipALItIES anD coRrEspOnDiNGly, DIFFERent obligationS tO pRoviDe specIfiC ServiCes To resiDENts.