Counties Matter: Stronger Counties. Stronger America.

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. 

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 hospitals, jails, courthouses, parks, schools and water purification and sewage systems.

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 play a major role in two distinct areas of justice and public safety: emergency response and preparedness and the criminal justice system.

From patrolling the streets, to operating and maintaining county detention and court facilities, to employing innovative approaches to safely reduce jail populations, county sheriffs and other law enforcement departments are on the front lines of justice and public safety. Other key county players are judges, district attorneys, public defenders, court clerks, jail directors, 911 operators, coroners and medical examiners.

Counties are home to more than 17 million veterans, comprising seven percent of residents living in our counties.

Counties fund and operate, almost exclusively through local tax revenues, County Veterans Service Officers (CVSOs) in 29 states and the District of Columbia, which help veterans claim more than $52 billion in federal VA benefits each year. CVSOs help our veterans access stable housing, employment and education opportunities, and deliver critical mental health services that treat trauma and prevent suicide.

Counties offer a local, detailed level of expertise on resource management issues to federal land agencies.

Whether participating in forest health projects to reduce wildfire, providing emergency services on federal lands, maintaining roads and other access points or implementing wildlife conservation measures, counties are a key partner in ensuring federal lands and resources are enjoyed and used wisely.

Counties provide vital services to all Americans, from issuing birth certificates and marriage licenses to administering elections. Counties often build and maintain parks, libraries and cultural centers.

Counties are sources of innovation, exploring new opportunities to address challenges and piloting programs and initiatives that make residents’ lives better. While balancing numerous administrative responsibilities, counties deliver essential services to ensure healthy, vibrant and safe communities across the United States.