City Council

There are four classes of Pennsylvania cities, according to population, but the top three classes each have only one member:

• First Class – 1 million or more. Philadelphia

• Second Class – 250,000 – 999,999. Pittsburgh

• Second Class A – 80,000 – 249,999. Scranton

• Third Class – 58 cities with a population of less than 250,000 that have not elected to become a city of the second class A.

Nineteen Pennsylvania cities – including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Scranton and 16 third class cities – operate under home rule charters.

For more information, see the City Government in Pennsylvania Handbook.