Village
A village is a human settlement or residential community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town. Its population typically ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand people. These communities are normally permanent with fixed dwellings. Dwellings sit fairly close to one another rather than scattered broadly over the landscape as a dispersed settlement. Although often located in rural areas, the term urban village applies to certain city neighborhoods. In Great Britain, a hamlet earned the right to be called a village when it built a church. This distinction dates back centuries and remains relevant today.
Historically, villages were the usual form of community for societies practicing subsistence agriculture. They also existed within some non-agricultural societies. Traditional fishing villages based their existence on artisan fishing near specific grounds. Homes sat together for sociability and defense while surrounding land was farmed. The word village derives from Middle English village, Old French village, and Latin villaticus ultimately from villa. In toponomastic terminology, individual village names are called Comonyms.
In the past, towns and cities were few with only a small proportion of the population living in them. The Industrial Revolution attracted people in larger numbers to work in mills and factories. This concentration caused many villages to grow into towns and cities. It enabled specialization of labor and crafts alongside development of many trades. The trend of urbanization continues but not always in connection with industrialization.
In Germany, almost half (46%) of the population lived in rural areas in 1900. By 2015 that figure had fallen to around a quarter (23%). Many villages have disappeared leaving behind churches or manor houses. Some show archaeological evidence of settlement at three or four different layers. Clearances occurred to accommodate sheep estates or resulted from depopulation after events like the Black Death. Other villages grew and merged forming hubs within suburbia such as Hampstead in London. Many villages now serve predominantly as dormitory locations losing shops and churches.
In Afghanistan, the village or deh is the mid-size settlement type trumping hamlets though smaller than towns. A commercial area exists within the deh while governmental buildings appear in larger shār settlements. India's 2011 census recorded 649,481 villages housing 833 million people. Most Indian villages contain their own temple, mosque, or church depending on local religious following. Pakistan's 2017 census showed about 64% of its population lives in rural areas near cities.
Kazakhstan's 2009 census found 42.7% of citizens living in 8,172 different villages. In Russia, 26.3% of the country lived in rural localities according to the 2010 Census. The lowest administrative unit was a selsoviet typically headquartered in a selo. Ukraine considers a village the lowest administrative unit under hromada administration. In Vietnam, villages made up the basis of society with bamboo hedges and communal houses where tutelary deities were worshiped. Vietnamese villagers share bloodlines and usually work as rice farmers.
In twenty U.S. states, the term village refers to specific forms of incorporated municipal government similar to cities but with less authority. Hempstead, New York has 55,000 residents making it more populous than some state cities. No population limit exists for villages in that state though they may not exceed 5 square miles in area. Michigan allows villages to incorporate land in multiple townships and counties. Beverly Hills in Southfield Township had 10,267 people as of the 2010 census.
Wisconsin villages are always legally separate from towns they were incorporated from. Menomonee Falls holds over 32,000 residents there. Ohio villages become cities if they grow to at least 5,000 people. Dering Harbor, New York stands as the United States' smallest incorporated village with just over 10 residents. In many states, the term village also refers to relatively small unincorporated communities. Hyannis serves as a center of population within Barnstable, Massachusetts. Canada's name derives from Iroquoisan word meaning village according to Jacques Cartier's records.
Migration patterns show significant shifts between rural and urban areas across Europe. Bulgaria recorded 46% migration from city to city while only 23% moved from village to city. Russia saw depopulation of smaller villages during the 1960s and 1970s driven by central planners moving farm workers into collective farms. Prosperous urbanites now purchase village houses for second homes transforming Russian villages into dacha settlements used mostly for seasonal residence.
In the Netherlands, villages traditionally built on low man-made hills called terpen before dyke systems arrived. Modern terms apply to settlements no larger than 20,000 though no official law exists regarding status. Australia uses village references for planned retirement communities or ski resorts while townships denote small rural communities. Nigeria faces challenges where women fetch water from clay pots in northern villages lacking potable supplies. Electricity and GSM networks reach more villages daily despite bad feeder roads leading to remote locations.
Common questions
What is the population range of a village?
A village typically has a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand people. This size distinguishes it as larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town.
When did villages become common forms of community for subsistence agriculture societies?
Historically, villages were the usual form of community for societies practicing subsistence agriculture before the Industrial Revolution. They also existed within some non-agricultural societies such as traditional fishing communities.
How many villages exist in India according to the 2011 census?
India's 2011 census recorded 649,481 villages housing 833 million people. Most Indian villages contain their own temple, mosque, or church depending on local religious following.
Why do some villages disappear over time?
Clearances occurred to accommodate sheep estates or resulted from depopulation after events like the Black Death. Many villages have disappeared leaving behind churches or manor houses while others merged forming hubs within suburbia.
Which country uses the term deh for its mid-size settlement type?
In Afghanistan, the village or deh is the mid-size settlement type trumping hamlets though smaller than towns. A commercial area exists within the deh while governmental buildings appear in larger shār settlements.