What is a Census-Designated Place?
A Census-designated place (CDP) is a categorization used by the United States Census for the purpose of collecting and tabulating data. Census-designated places are locally recognized communities with population clusters which lack legal status such as incorporation within the states where they are located. An example of a Census-designated place might be a small group of houses well outside any neighboring city, town, or village in a rural area where 150-200 people live together. There are no firm population thresholds for Census-designated place; generally, they have populations of around 3,500. Several characteristics differentiate a Census-designated place from other “places” or centers of population. The first is the lack of incorporation. The second is a lack of municipal government and services. While a Census designated place may be a thriving community, it doesn’t have elected officials, a police force, and similar services, instead relying on services provided to the region i
