Historically, this progression has often included border adjustments or mergers with other boroughs or townships. The municipality could proceed to the level of borough or city in a similar fashion. When a sufficient population density, currently 300 people per square mile, is attained, the township may hold a referendum and, if it passes, become a first-class township. Initially, each municipal organization begins as a second-class township. Historically, townships or portions thereof have tended to become boroughs after population growth or an increase in population density and, eventually, might to reincorporate at the level of city.

The first communities defined by this government tended to be rural, geographically large (nearly county-sized), and sparsely populated townships. Much of the province of Pennsylvania was occupied by Native Americans, but the colonial administration in Philadelphia brought new counties and new settlements regularly. The creation of townships within Pennsylvania dates to the seventeenth century and the colonial period. As with other incorporated municipalities in Pennsylvania, townships exist within counties and are subordinate to or dependent upon the county level of government. In general, townships in Pennsylvania encompass larger land areas than other municipalities, and tend to be located in suburban, exurban, or rural parts of the commonwealth.

All of Pennsylvania's communities outside of incorporated cities, boroughs, and one town have been incorporated into individual townships that serve as the legal entities providing local self-government functions. See also: Civil township Pennsylvania townshipĪ township, under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is the lowest level of municipal incorporation of government.

Townships definition