List of places in New York: V facts for kids

New York is a really big and exciting state! It has many different kinds of places, from huge cities to small, quiet communities. This page helps you understand the different types of places you might find in New York. It also explains how these places are organized and how we use things like zip codes to find them.

Exploring New York's Places

New York State is home to millions of people and countless interesting spots. When we talk about "places" in New York, we mean all the different areas where people live and work. This includes big cities, smaller towns, and even tiny communities that might not have their own local government.

What Are These Places?

There are a few main types of places in New York:

• Cities: These are usually large areas with many people and their own local government. Think of New York City, which is famous around the world!
• Towns: Towns are often larger in area than cities but might have fewer people. They also have their own governments and can include smaller villages or hamlets inside them.
• Unincorporated Communities: These are places where people live that don't have their own separate local government. They are usually part of a larger town or county. For example, a place like Vail Mills is an unincorporated community within a larger area.

How Places Are Organized: Counties

Every place in New York State belongs to a county. A county is like a big region within the state. New York has 62 counties in total. Each county helps manage services for the places within its borders, like roads, courts, and sometimes schools.

For example, if you look at a place like Valhalla, it's located in Westchester County. This means Westchester County is responsible for some of the services in Valhalla. Most places in New York are entirely within one county.

Finding Your Way: Zip Codes

Have you ever sent a letter or ordered something online? Then you've probably used a zip code! Zip codes are special numbers that the United States Postal Service (USPS) uses to help sort mail quickly. Each zip code points to a specific area, making sure your mail gets to the right place.

Many places have their own unique zip codes. Some larger places, like Valley Stream, might even have a range of zip codes because they are so big. For instance, Valley Stream uses zip codes starting from 11580. Smaller communities might share a zip code with a nearby town.