England has 317 local authorities, falling into several categories:

• 21 county councils
• 164 district councils
• 62 unitary authorities
• 36 metropolitan districts
• 32 London boroughs,
• Plus the City of London and the Isles of Scilly. 

The system combines both two-tier and single-tier models:

• In two-tier areas, county councils handle strategic services such as education, social care, highways and waste disposal, while district councils manage local services like planning, housing and refuse collection.
• In single-tier areas, including unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London boroughs, a single council provides all local government functions.

Some councils are styled as boroughs or cities, but these titles are largely ceremonial. A major restructuring is underway: under the English Devolution White Paper (2024), two-tier areas are being replaced by unitary authorities. By 2027, most of these reforms are expected to be complete, reshaping England’s local government geography.

Explore Local Authority boundaries on a map