Counties raise over $775 billion each year to provide a wide array of services to over 300 million county residents throughout the U.S. Operating
within the diverse legal frameworks each state imposes to regulate county and municipal revenue generation, county governments generate over two-thirds of our revenue, whether from local taxes, charges for services or other sources, which we invest in key service areas from public health and human services to justice, public safety and infrastructure

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The County Landscape Project

County landscape

The County Landscape Project: Maps and Stats

Counties are vital to the foundation of our communities, helping shape the places where we live, work and thrive. From maintaining critical infrastructure and delivering essential public services to fostering economic growth and ensuring public safety, county governments play a pivotal role in the daily lives of millions of Americans.

Colonial Map

The County Landscape Project: A Primer on Our History, Definitions, Structures and Authorities

An in-depth look into the history of counties, our authority and structure, key county services and responsibilities and the intergovernmental partnership

Construction

The County Landscape Project: Service Provision and the Public Workforce

Counties are vital to the foundation of our communities, helping shape the places where we live, work and thrive. From maintaining critical infrastructure and delivering essential public services to fostering economic growth and ensuring public safety, county governments play a pivotal role in the daily lives of millions of Americans.

Woman at voting booth

The County Landscape Project: An Overview of County-Level Election Administration

From voter registration to the final count, county governments are the foundation upon which free and fair elections stand. NACo's research brief examines the scope of responsibilities, variations in local election systems and canvassing procedures, and funding for election costs. 

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Hemphill County, Texas Judge Lisa Johnson (left) and Cochran County, Texas Judge Pat Henry listen to a discussion about philanthropic organizations managing community benefit agreements. Photo by Charlie Ban
County News

Foundations navigate community benefit agreements

Philanthropic organizations offer a specialized approach to managing proceeds from community benefit agreements struck between counties and energy companies.

Capitol
Advocacy

Congress passes short-term funding bill, keeping the federal government funded through Dec. 11 and delaying OMB rule

The U.S. Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to extend government funding through December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Unform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered.

A pen rests near a calculator
Advocacy

Senate Funding Bill Delivers a Win for Counties, Delaying OMB's Uniform Guidance Proposed Rule

The Senate Appropriations Committee releases CR language to fund the government until December 11 and delay the OMB proposed rule on Uniform Guidance that governs how every federal grant can be administered, a major win for counties.