Counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government, dating back to 1634 when the first county governments (shires) were established in Virginia. The organization and structure of today’s 3,069 county governments are chartered under state constitutions or laws and are tailored to fit the needs and characteristics of states and local areas. |
Services IncludeROADS & BRIDGESAIRPORTSPUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONCONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC FACILITIESUTILITIES LIKE GAS & ELECTRICITYSOLID WASTE RECYCLING & MANAGEMENTWATER & SEWAGETELECOMMUNICATIONS
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Transportation and infrastructure are core public sector responsibilities that impact everything from our daily commutes to shipping goods around the globe. From building and maintaining roads and bridges to providing efficient transit options, counties are a driving force connecting communities and strengthening our economy. Counties play a major role in other essential community infrastructure like schools, hospitals, jails, courthouses, parks and water purification and sewage systems.
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Counties Invest Annually
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Almost $60 BILLION in construction of public facilities |
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Almost $22 BILLION in sewage and solid waste management |
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More than $122 BILLION total in building infrastructure and maintaining and operating public works |
Services IncludeHOSPITALS & HEALTH CLINICSPUBLIC HEALTHBEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTHSUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENTIMMUNIZATIONS & PREVENTIONINDIGENT HEALTHCAREHEALTH CODE INSPECTIONSNURSING HOMES |
Counties invest heavily in local residents’ health and well-being, often serving as a safety net for low-income and indigent residents. County health departments protect our residents and communities by offering a wide range of services like administering flu shots, providing health information and preventing and responding to public health emergencies.
From hospitals and emergency rooms to clinical care facilities, many counties operate the systems that keep us healthy from the time we are born to the time we grow old. Counties also often have significant responsibilities for behavioral and mental health services and care.
Counties are involved in promoting public health through 1,943 local health departments |
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Counties support over 900 hospitals IN A MAJORITY OF STATES (26), counties are required to provide healthcare for low-income, uninsured or underinsured residents Local governments, mostly counties, contribute $28 BILLION to the non-federal share of Medicaid |
Counties Invest Annually
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Almost $83 BILLION in community health and hospitals |
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More than $58 BILLION in human services |
Services IncludeSHERIFFS DEPARTMENTSCOUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTSCOUNTY COURTSJAILS & CORRECTIONAL FACILITIESJUVENILE DETENTION & JUSTICE SERVICESEMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNELPAID & VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERSDISTRICT ATTORNEYSPUBLIC DEFENDERSCORONERS |
Counties play a major role in two distinct areas of justice and public safety: emergency response and preparedness and the criminal justice system. Counties keep communities safe by providing law enforcement and preventing crime. From patrolling the streets, to operating and maintaining county detention facilities, to serving as the arm of the county courts, county sheriffs and other law enforcement departments are on the front lines of public safety and the criminal justice system. Other key county players are judges, district attorneys, public defenders, court clerks, jail directors, 911 operators and coroners.
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Counties Invest Annually
Over $35 BILLION in 3,041 police and sheriffs' departments
Almost $26 BILLION on correctional facilities
Almost $11 BILLION in fire protection activities
Almost $93 BILLION total in justice and public safety services, including 911 call centers
Almost $19 BILLION on county courts and legal services
SERVICES INCLUDEFINANCIAL ASSISTANCEVIOLENCE PREVENTIONFOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICESEARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENTWORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENTVETERAN SERVICESSENIOR SERVICES AND ELDER CAREBEHAVIORAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICESMEDICAL COVERAGEPARENT EDUCATION AND SUPPORTCHILD WELFARE, FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTIONHOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
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Counties play a critical role in building vibrant communities for all individuals, including veterans, children and families. We make significant investments in human services to help residents live well and thrive, achieving their fullest potential and creating pathways to economic opportunity and self-sufficiency.
There are over 257,000 county human services employees across the country delivering vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations |
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Counties Invest AnnuallyOver $58 BILLION in federal, state and local funds in human services while serving as the frontline safety net |
Counties in at least 35 STATES have county veterans service officers (CVSOs) $173 BILLION in U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs expenditures was within county jurisdictions County Veteran Service Officers secured |
Veteran Expenditures |
39% OF VETERAN EXPENDITURES WENT TO VETERAN MEDICAL CARE |
Veteran Population |
37% OF COUNTIES HAVE VETERANS REPRESENTING MORE THAN 10% OF THE ADULT POPULATION |
47% OF VETERAN EXPENDITURES WENT TO VETERAN COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS |
SERVICES INCLUDERECORD KEEPINGTAX ASSESSMENTS & COLLECTION911 CALL CENTERSELECTIONS AND POLLING PLACESRECREATION AND PARKSARTS PROGRAMSHOUSINGCOMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
Counties provide vital services to all Americans, from issuing birth certificates and marriage licenses to operating 911 call centers. Counties often build and maintain parks, community centers, libraries and cultural centers. Counties are responsible for managing elections, from presidential to local. While balancing numerous administrative responsibilities, counties deliver essential services to ensure healthy, safe and vibrant communities across the United States.
Polling PlacesEvery two years counties fund and oversee more than 100,000 polling places ...and coordinate more than 700,000 poll workers |
Counties Invest Annually
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Almost $10 BILLION to build and maintain parks and recreational facilities |
Close to $11 BILLION in housing and community developement |