County government · Baltimore County, MD
Baltimore County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Baltimore County took in $4.80 billion and spent $6.01 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Baltimore County's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. counties of 250,000+ people get none.
County taxes52%
What's in other taxesEstate and gift taxes; real estate and stock transfer taxes and 7 more
- Estate and gift taxes$77.1 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$33.1 million
- Public utility taxes$22.2 million
- Other selective sales taxes$15.4 million
- Public utility licenses$11.9 million
- Amusement taxes$6.8 million
- Other licenses$5.2 million
- Occupation and business licenses$3.0 million
- Amusement licenses$529 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services11%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 9 more
- Sewer$227 million
- Water$134 million
- College tuition$61.2 million
- Other service charges$54.3 million
- Road charges$25.6 million
- Other school charges$9.0 million
- Parks and recreation$3.0 million
- School lunches$2.8 million
- Garbage collection$1.5 million
- University housing and dining$537 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$120 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.9%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money29%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.6%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other3.0%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Baltimore County's spending goes to schools and colleges.Most U.S. counties of 250,000+ people spend nothing on this.
Spending by category100%
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools; colleges and universities and 2 more
- Elementary and secondary schools$2.43 billion
- Colleges and universities$236 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$9.4 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$1.2 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$1.15 billion
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$498 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$57.4 million
- Government buildings$41.8 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$18.6 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 3 more
- Police$267 million
- Fire protection$140 million
- Prisons and jails$57.0 million
- Courts and legal services$31.5 million
- Inspections and regulation$6.0 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; water supply and 1 more
- Sewer systems$178 million
- Water supply$144 million
- Garbage and solid waste$94.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$72.0 million
- Libraries$49.7 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
- Roads and highways$79.9 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$74.2 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$22.5 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Baltimore County. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of Baltimore County itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.