There are 10 counties in the state of New Hampshire responsible for local sheriff services, nursing homes, and prisons.
Similar to the rest of New England, county government in New Hampshire is very weak and have relatively few responsibilities compared to states in other regions.
Most local government functions are performed at the town and city level.
The primary difference is that cities are former towns who dropped the town meeting form of government in favor of a city form through special act of the New Hampshire General Court.
Carroll and Grafton counties also contain small amounts of unincorporated territory.