County government · Cecil County, MD
Cecil County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Cecil County took in $517 million and spent $584 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Cecil County's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. counties of 50,000 to 250,000 people get none.
County taxes41%
What's in other taxesReal estate and stock transfer taxes; public utility licenses and 5 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$7.3 million
- Public utility licenses$897 thousand
- Other licenses$804 thousand
- Other selective sales taxes$728 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$191 thousand
- Occupation and business licenses$94 thousand
- Amusement taxes$92 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services8.1%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; garbage collection and 7 more
- Sewer$12.6 million
- Garbage collection$9.4 million
- Other service charges$8.9 million
- College tuition$5.6 million
- Other school charges$1.9 million
- University housing and dining$1.5 million
- School lunches$1.5 million
- Parks and recreation$326 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$107 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.1%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money39%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money3.0%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.0%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Cecil County's spending goes to schools and colleges.Most U.S. counties of 50,000 to 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$290 million
- Colleges and universities$34.8 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$1.7 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$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$115 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 4 more
- Police$17.4 million
- Fire protection$14.2 million
- Prisons and jails$12.0 million
- Courts and legal services$7.3 million
- Probation, parole and other corrections$1.7 million
- Inspections and regulation$1.1 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$18.2 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$4.7 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.4 million
- Government buildings$3.0 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems and garbage and solid waste
- Sewer systems$14.0 million
- Garbage and solid waste$8.1 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
- Roads and highways$12.9 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$2.7 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$979 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$78 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Cecil 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 Cecil 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.