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. Notwithstanding our significance, the complexity and diversity of county governments often go unnoticed. The County Landscape Project brings the nuts and bolts of county governance to the forefront, providing a clear and comprehensive guide to how counties function, govern and serve our residents.

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The County Landscape Project

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 workers

The County Landscape Project: Taxes and Revenues

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.

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.

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.

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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Celebrate 2025 National County Government Month

Join us in celebrating National County Government Month (NCGM) 2025! Since 1991, NACo has encouraged counties to utilize NCGM to actively promote county roles and responsibilities in serving residents.

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Podcast: Civic Engagement Series, Part 1 – Berrien County, Mich.

Berrien County, Mich. ensures that all residents and visitors can access emergency services regardless of their primary language thanks to a translation and interpretation service.