Note that &quot;urban area&quot; in the U.S. encompasses not just big cities, but all the surrounding suburbs, unincorporated counties, and small towns. E.g. all but the most rural parts of Virginia are an &quot;urban area&quot;: <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.virginiaplaces.org&#x2F;regions&#x2F;graphics&#x2F;urban2004.png" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.virginiaplaces.org&#x2F;regions&#x2F;graphics&#x2F;urban2004.png</a>. And even in pretty urban areas, municipal government is pretty thin. E.g. in Baltimore County (suburbs just north of Baltimore), the police chief is nominated by the County Executive (a directly elected position), and approved by the County Council (a directly elected legislative body with seven people).