An unincorporated community is a region that is not governed by its own local municipal corporation. Instead, it falls under the jurisdiction of a larger administrative division, such as a county or township. These areas often lack a formal government structure, which means they may not have their own police or fire departments, relying instead on services from the surrounding municipalities.
Many unincorporated communities are small and may consist of a few homes, businesses, or farms. They can be found in rural areas and sometimes have unique characteristics or histories. Examples include places like Cedar Grove in California or Lakewood in Ohio, which offer a sense of community without the formalities of incorporation.