Telling the County Story
Find tools to tell the county story. Apply for a NACo Achievement Award, celebrate National County Government Month, and utilize our suite of civic engagement tools to educate our federal partners, as well as the general public.
We Are Counties. We Are 3,069 Strong.
From urban to rural, large to small, America’s counties, parishes and boroughs keep our communities healthy, vibrant and safe. Learn more and join the movement.
We Are Counties
From urban to rural, large to small, America’s 3,069 counties, parishes and boroughs keep our communities healthy, vibrant and safe. We Are Counties highlights the essential role counties play across every part of community life.
Counties 101
Your introduction to county government. Learn how counties are on the front lines, delivering vital services for our residents.
Achievement Awards
The Achievement Awards is a non-competitive awards program recognizing innovative county government programs. Award-winning programs are featured in NACo content and celebrated at NACo's Annual Conference.
National County Government Month
Held each April, NCGM is an annual celebration of county government. NACo equips counties with template materials, social media graphics, and more resources to kick off the month of recognition.
County Explorer Data
An interactive mapping tool featuring the latest available data for all 3,069 U.S. counties across 14 categories, more than 100 datasets, over 1,000 indicators and more than 10 types of county and state profiles.
The County Landscape Project
Whether examining the organizational structures, financial frameworks, essential services or intergovernmental roles of counties, the project serves as a critical reference for understanding county government at its core.
Counties Work Game & Curriculum
NACo, together with iCivics, has created an online game and curriculum to educate students grade levels 6-12 about the important role and functions of county government.
Governing on the Ground
Governing on the Ground is an inside look at the complex challenges faced by officials as they strive to strengthen their communities. The book features 30 short chapters contributed by county leaders.
The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland
The Marvelous Adventures of Countyland is an experimental publication created with generative artificial intelligence (AI). Its objectives are to showcase the capabilities of AI, to stimulate discussions regarding AI's applications in the public sector, and to inspire young people around the role of county government.
County News
Explore articles from our award-winning County News, the official news publication of NACo.
Operation Green Light for Veterans
During the week leading up to Veterans Day, counties shine a green light to show support for veterans, raise awareness of benefits available to them and call for action on federal policies that support veterans and their families.
Presidential Spotlight
County Storytellers
Under the leadership of NACo President J.D. Clark, NACo is focusing on the spotlight, "County Storytellers." The spotlight, inspired by the importance of county leadership, will explore the art and science of powerful, purposeful stories.
Explore Counties 101
Each module is Counties 101 dives deep on a key facet how counties function, provide critical services and work with the other branches of government in our nation's system of federalism.
What are counties?
This question is the first step in learning about county governments and our collective impact on our communities and the lives of residents. Counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government, are key partners in our nation's system of federalism and provide critical services.
County structure, authority and finances
Counties are governed by locally elected officials, including more than 19,780 county elected executives and board members responsible for counties’ budgets, policies and oversight. In general, states authorize and set the roles and responsibilities of county governments. Explore how counties differ across the nation and how that affects the delivery of critical services to our residents.
County Roles & Responsibilities
All counties share the vision of achieving health, safe and vibrant counties across America. We are responsible for maintaining roads and bridges, caring for our physical and mental health, administering elections, ensuring public safety, strengthening environmental stewardship, and so much more.
Counties and the Intergovernmental Partnership
Counties are uniquely positioned to implement and administer vital intergovernmental systems, facilitate cooperation of all levels of government, and deliver results and impact for our residents and businesses at the community level.
Telling the County Story
Find tools to highlight the ways counties touch our everyday lives and act as key intergovernmental partners.
Counties Work Game & Curriculum
NACo, together with iCivics, has created a full curriculum to educate students, grades 6 through 12, about the important role and functions of county government. The curriculum and online game assist teachers with preparing lessons on county government.