These are regions or settlements not governed by a municipal corporation. Their administration falls directly under the county or larger administrative division of which they are a part. As an example, a cluster of homes and businesses along a rural highway, lacking its own mayor or town council, would be considered as such.
Their existence offers residents a potentially lower tax burden, as they might avoid municipal taxes levied in incorporated areas. Historically, they arose as populations spread beyond the boundaries of established cities and towns, leading to settlements that never underwent formal incorporation. This allows for flexibility in governance but also presents challenges in providing services and infrastructure, often relying on the county or state for these necessities.