kisváros

Kisváros is a Hungarian term meaning "small town." It denotes a settlement that lies between a village and a larger city in terms of size, services, and urban character. In everyday usage, kisváros describes towns that function as local service centers for surrounding rural areas, offering elementary and secondary schools, healthcare, administrative offices, cultural institutions, and retail.

In Hungary, kisváros is not an official administrative category. The country classifies municipalities as villages (község) and towns or cities (város), with some towns designated as county-level rights cities (megyei jogú város). The label kisváros is primarily descriptive and based on population size and urban infrastructure rather than legal status. Population sizes typically associated with kisváros range from a few thousand up to around twenty thousand residents, though there is no formal threshold.

Historically and geographically, kisváros are spread across the countryside and often grew around market towns, thermal baths, mining districts, or transport hubs, reflecting regional economic specializations. Their urban design usually features a central square (or main street), a town hall, churches, a school complex, and local services such as a post office, library, and shops.

Today, kisváros play an important role in rural development by providing employment, maintaining public services, and preserving cultural heritage. They face challenges common to small municipalities, including population aging, depopulation, and the need to attract investment while preserving livability.