However, New Mexico's El Paso County claims the oldest capital in the United States. As colonists moved westward towards the Pacific Ocean, they created new counties, naming them after people, animals, plants, rivers and mountains. Some counties changed names or boundaries. World War I in response to population growth, suburban development and the government reform movement. The United States became even more urbanized after World War II, and counties found themselves providing an ever greater array of services.
Counties are especially important in electing people to government positions.
In fact, counties are empowered to conduct all local, state and national elections, from registering voters to recording their votes. Today, the United States boasts 3,141 counties, parishes and boroughs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Diverse Counties for a Diverse Nation Counties vary wildly in size, population and environment. Over nine million people live Los Angeles County, California, while Texas' Loving County is home to about 140 residents. Connecticut and Rhode Island are divided into counties, but they do not have functioning governments, as defined by the Census Bureau.