But all are connected by a sense of community and tied by a proud history.
Today we look at several villages that are a big part of our region, with pictures from the Shropshire Star archive.
Some are grainy black and white images from more than a century before, when horse-drawn travel was the norm.
Others reflect progress and modernisation – and many feature the faces of those who called their village home.
Jackfield Church on May 19, 1939. It was abandoned because of subsidence and demolished around 1961(ish).
The Jackfield Slip in March 1953.
1962 - Coalford Methodist Chapel built in 1825 at Jackfield, near Ironbridge, will have its first wedding ceremony in 137 years when Miss Anne France of 47 Coalford, Jackfield, marries there on September 8
1967 - A fire at a Jackfield works has led to an ancient steam powered fire engine being given to Shropshire Fire Brigade
Old folks party, Jackfield, March 27, 1939.
1993 - The old Free Bridge over the River Severn at Jackfield, which was about to be demolished.
Aston Hall, Church Aston. The empty building was deliberately burned down on January 10, 1968 and then demolished and the site developed for housing.
Last Inn, Church Aston in 1901.
Undated - The Pilkington family of Church Aston.
1985 - The Church Aston Scouts group visited RAF Shawbury during the half term holiday.
1986 - An expert in church bells has discovered that the bells of St Andrew's Church, Church Aston, are of antiquity and historical interest.
1974 - 17th century miners cottage, Church Aston.
England players pose on the steps at Lilleshall Hall, where the national team used to train and prepare, in November 1958.
Work to create a miniature railway track at Lilleshall, in the grounds and estate of Lilleshall Hall, in 1928.
A miniature railway at Lilleshall, which was built in the late 1920s. This is from a booklet called 'Lovely Lilleshall, A Souvenir. Price 6d' from the days when Lilleshall Hall and estate was a big tourist attraction in the 1920s and 1930s, with a miniature railway, gardens, etc. Unfortunately the booklet is undated but it seems likely to be from the 1930s.
'Lilleshall Hall, seen from the Garden of the Lily Ponds. This is from the same booklet as above.
June, 1946 - A group of local children outside the Eagle Cafe, Pave Lane. It was virtually opposite the gates of Lilleshall Hall.
The old canal at Lilleshall, as seen in a postcard franked at Newport on August 17, 1907 (COURTESY: THE MALCOLM MILES COLLECTION).
The first pupils at St Bernadette's School, Wombourne, in 1969.
1968 - The railway line has become a dumping ground and eyesore.
1975 - Equipped with paddles and lifejackets, girls from Ounsdale Comprehensive School, Wombourne, and Gnosall Comprehensive School, near Stafford.
1973 - Wombourne Tories are facing a stiff battle in the village's property market.
A cricket scene on Wombourne's village green taken in July 1935. The image has appeared national, including in adverts for the Standard Motor Company in the 1950s. Cricket is still part of village life.
1972 - A £240 church organ which now calls a £9,000 tune was the subject of a special opening and rededication service at Wombourne during the weekend. Church organist, Mr Kenneth Hodson, is pictured playing for the first hymn at Saturday's service. The organ, built in 1891, was bought by the Wombourne Methodist Church in 1918. But a £2,000 improvement scheme has brought the 672-pipe instrument's value soaring to the £9,000 mark...' Wombourne church organ. Date stamp: March 6, 1972.
1975 - Members of the Wombourne Mountaineering Club have formed a 24-strong mountain rescue team which will be used to back up other teams in the country.
1954 - Despite the modern registration letters, this 3 h.p. Royal Enfield motor cycle dates from 1916. Mr J.G. Boulton, of Wombourn (sic), is riding it in tomorrow's sixth annual Oxford to Banbury run organised by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club.
An aerial view of Wombourne taken in July, 1969, showing the numerous post-war housing developments.
1938 - Lying back off the main Wellington to Shifnal road (sic - Oaken is actually near Codsall) at Oaken is this old-world thatched cottage. It was formerly a coach house where letters were dropped for distribution in the area.
1962 - This picture was published in the Express and Star during the Queen's visit to Wolverhampton of May 24, 1962, with the following caption: 'Three sisters who had never seen the Queen but who intended to change that today.
1971 - Codsall Station as the 8.15am train pulls in.
1975 - A whispering wizard, a trick-weaver high-eyebrowed with shiny forehead, he conjures metaphysical marvels around his air-curving, dreaming fingertips.
1962 - The rush is on, and there are bargains galore at the Codsall Roman Catholic Church jumble sale held at the Crown Hotel, Codsall.
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