City vs. Borough — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 30, 2024
A city is a large or significant urban area with its government, while a borough is a district within a city, often with some local governance, or a town with municipal status in certain regions.
Difference Between City and Borough
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A city typically refers to a large or significant urban area that has been designated as a city, often based on criteria such as population size, economic activity, or historical significance. Cities have a comprehensive governing body, including a mayor and a city council, that oversees a wide range of municipal services and infrastructure. On the other hand, a borough is a term with varying definitions depending on the geographical context. In some countries, like the United States, a borough can be a self-governing or administrative division within a city, such as the boroughs of New York City, which are distinct regions each with a certain degree of local governance.
While cities are recognized for their significant size, economic roles, and cultural influence, boroughs are characterized by their more localized form of governance and community identity. Boroughs within cities provide a level of localized administration that can address specific needs and issues relevant to their residents, distinct from the broader governance applied across the entire city. In contrast, standalone boroughs (outside of larger cities) offer a form of municipal organization for towns or urban areas that are significant in their own right but may not meet the criteria to be classified as cities.
The governance structure of cities and boroughs differs, with cities typically having a more complex and layered government to manage their wide-ranging responsibilities and services. Boroughs, depending on their context, may have a simpler governance structure focused on more localized or specific administrative functions. This distinction reflects the scale and scope of the urban areas they govern.
Culturally and socially, cities are often seen as centers of diversity, innovation, and cultural heritage, attracting residents and visitors alike with their amenities, opportunities, and historical significance. Boroughs, with their more defined and localized identities, can foster a strong sense of community and local culture, contributing to the broader mosaic of the city or region they are part of.
Despite these differences, both cities and boroughs play crucial roles in the organization, governance, and development of urban and suburban areas, each contributing to the complex structure of human settlements and governance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A large or significant urban area with its government.
A district within a city with local governance or a town with municipal status.
Governance
Comprehensive governing body, including a mayor and council.
Localized administration, varies by region.
Geographic Scope
Can encompass large areas with significant populations.
Typically smaller, more localized areas within cities or standalone towns.
Role
Central hubs for commerce, culture, and government.
Provides localized governance or forms part of a city's administrative structure.
Example
New York City, recognized for its size and cultural influence.
The Borough of Manhattan, one of the five boroughs in New York City with specific local governance.
Compare with Definitions
City
Governs a wide range of services.
The city council voted to improve public transportation.
Borough
Offers localized governance.
The borough council met to discuss community projects.
City
A large urban area with its own government.
Los Angeles is a sprawling city known for its entertainment industry.
Borough
Reflects community identity within a city.
The borough festival celebrated local heritage and culture.
City
Symbolizes urban growth and diversity.
The city's diverse population contributes to its vibrant cultural scene.
Borough
A district within a city or a town with municipal status.
Brooklyn is one of New York City’s five boroughs.
City
Often the focus of regional development.
The city launched a redevelopment initiative to revitalize downtown.
Borough
Serves as an administrative division.
The borough implemented new recycling regulations to promote sustainability.
City
Centers of commerce and culture.
Paris, the city of lights, attracts millions of tourists annually.
Borough
Can be part of larger city's administrative structure.
Each borough in NYC has a president for local issues.
City
A city is a large human settlement. It can be defined as a permanent and densely settled place with administratively defined boundaries whose members work primarily on non-agricultural tasks.
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various English-speaking countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing walled town, although in practice, official use of the term varies widely.
City
A large town
One of Italy's most beautiful cities
The city council
Borough
A self-governing incorporated town in some US states, such as New Jersey.
City
Short for City of London
Borough
One of the five administrative units of New York City.
City
A center of population, commerce, and culture; a town of significant size and importance.
Borough
A civil division of the state of Alaska that is the equivalent of a county in most other US states.
City
An incorporated municipality in the United States with definite boundaries and legal powers set forth in a charter granted by the state.
Borough
A town having a municipal corporation and certain rights, such as self-government.
City
A Canadian municipality of high rank, usually determined by population but varying by province.
Borough
A town that sends a representative to Parliament.
City
A large incorporated town in Great Britain, usually the seat of a bishop, with its title conferred by the Crown.
Borough
A medieval group of fortified houses that formed a town having special privileges and rights.
City
The inhabitants of a city considered as a group.
Borough
(obsolete) A fortified town.
City
An ancient Greek city-state.
Borough
(rare) A town or city.
City
(Slang) Used in combination as an intensive
The playing field was mud city after the big rain.
Borough
A town having a municipal corporation and certain traditional rights.
City
City The financial and commercial center of London. Used with the.
Borough
An administrative district in some cities, e.g., London.
City
A large settlement, bigger than a town; sometimes with a specific legal definition, depending on the place.
São Paulo is the largest city in South America.
Borough
An administrative unit of a city which, under most circumstances according to state or national law, would be considered a larger or more powerful entity; most commonly used in American English to define the five counties that make up New York City.
City
(UK) A settlement granted special status by royal charter or letters patent; traditionally, a settlement with a cathedral regardless of size.
Borough
Other similar administrative units in cities and states in various parts of the world.
City
(Australia) The central business district; downtown.
I'm going into the city today to do some shopping.
Borough
A district in Alaska having powers similar to a county.
City
(slang) A large amount of something used after the noun.
It’s video game city in here!
Borough
An association of men who gave pledges or sureties to the king for the good behaviour of each other.
City
A large town.
Borough
In England, an incorporated town that is not a city; also, a town that sends members to parliament; in Scotland, a body corporate, consisting of the inhabitants of a certain district, erected by the sovereign, with a certain jurisdiction; in America, an incorporated town or village, as in Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
City
A corporate town; in the United States, a town or collective body of inhabitants, incorporated and governed by a mayor and aldermen or a city council consisting of a board of aldermen and a common council; in Great Britain, a town corporate, which is or has been the seat of a bishop, or the capital of his see.
A city is a town incorporated; which is, or has been, the see of a bishop; and though the bishopric has been dissolved, as at Westminster, it yet remaineth a city.
When Gorges constituted York a city, he of course meant it to be the seat of a bishop, for the word city has no other meaning in English law.
Borough
The collective body of citizens or inhabitants of a borough; as, the borough voted to lay a tax.
City
The collective body of citizens, or inhabitants of a city.
Borough
An association of men who gave pledges or sureties to the king for the good behavior of each other.
City
Of or pertaining to a city.
Borough
One of the administrative divisions of a large city
City
A large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts;
Ancient Troy was a great city
Borough
An English town that forms the constituency of a member of Parliament
City
An incorporated administrative district established by state charter;
The city raised the tax rate
City
People living in a large densely populated municipality;
The city voted for Republicans in 1994
Common Curiosities
Can a borough exist outside of a city?
Yes, in some regions, a borough is an independent town with municipal status, not necessarily part of a larger city.
How does local governance in a borough differ from that in a city?
Local governance in a borough is typically more focused on localized or community-specific issues, whereas city governance covers a broader range of services and policies affecting the entire urban area.
How does one become a resident of a borough?
Residency in a borough involves living within its geographical boundaries, similar to becoming a resident of any other municipal division or town.
What are the benefits of borough-level governance?
Borough-level governance can provide more direct and localized management of services, allowing for policies and initiatives that are closely aligned with the community's specific needs and preferences.
Are all parts of a city considered boroughs?
Not all cities are divided into boroughs. This structure is specific to certain cities, depending on their administrative organization.
How does one participate in borough governance?
Participation in borough governance can involve voting in local elections, attending council meetings, joining community boards, or engaging in local initiatives and projects.
Can a city become a borough or vice versa?
The terms and classifications depend on regional laws and historical context. A town may be designated a borough with certain municipal rights, and some boroughs may function similarly to cities, but the transition is governed by specific legal and administrative criteria.
Do cities with boroughs have a different status than those without?
The status of a city is not necessarily related to whether it is divided into boroughs. City status is typically based on other factors such as population, historical significance, and economic importance.
How do boroughs impact city planning and development?
Boroughs can play a crucial role in city planning and development by allowing for more localized decision-making and community input, which can lead to more tailored and effective urban development strategies.
Are boroughs unique to the United States?
No, the concept of boroughs or similar administrative divisions exists in various forms around the world, each with its own legal definitions and functions depending on the country.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
