{"data":{"id":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-1502","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"42 Pa.C.S. § 1502","heading":"Classification of districts.","body":"(a) Second class counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts coextensive with counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:\n(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 5,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 65,000 persons.\n(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 500 persons per square mile and a population of between 22,500 and 65,000 persons.\n(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of more than 200 persons per square mile and a population of between 12,000 and 22,500 persons.\n(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of more than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 7,500 and 12,000 persons.\n(5) Magisterial districts of the fifth class shall have a population density of less than 70 persons per square mile and a population of between 4,000 and 7,500 persons.\n(b) Other counties.--The classes of magisterial districts in judicial districts not coextensive with counties of the first class or counties of the second class shall be determined as follows:\n(1) Magisterial districts of the first class shall have a population density of more than 1,000 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 15,000 persons.\n(2) Magisterial districts of the second class shall have a population density of more than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.\n(3) Magisterial districts of the third class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of not less than 4,000 persons.\n(4) Magisterial districts of the fourth class shall have a population density of less than 400 persons per square mile and a population of between 2,000 and 4,000 persons. The number of magisterial districts of the fourth class within a judicial district shall not be increased.","path":["Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE","PART II ORGANIZATION","SUBPART A COURTS AND MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES","ARTICLE E MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES","CHAPTER 15 MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES","SUBCHAPTER A MAGISTERIAL DISTRICTS"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=42\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=15\u0026sctn=2\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-08-03 (Statute Update stamp, 42 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:33:14Z","sha256":"ba2f9867404beb899f48a7c5257cd6703abd8537f00fa888c55260ebd5bf21f2","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-1501","next":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-1503"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}