County government · Charles County, MD
Charles County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Charles County took in $1.09 billion and spent $1.32 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Charles County's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. counties of 50,000 to 250,000 people get none.
County taxes45%
What's in other taxesReal estate and stock transfer taxes; other selective sales taxes and 5 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$20.9 million
- Other selective sales taxes$13.6 million
- Amusement taxes$719 thousand
- Other licenses$669 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$199 thousand
- Occupation and business licenses$198 thousand
- Amusement licenses$159 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services14%
What's in fees for servicesWater; other service charges and 9 more
- Water$71.1 million
- Other service charges$30.2 million
- College tuition$21.6 million
- Garbage collection$11.1 million
- Parks, land and natural resources$7.6 million
- Other school charges$5.0 million
- School lunches$3.9 million
- University housing and dining$1.9 million
- Parks and recreation$885 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$743 thousand
- Transit fares$144 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money2.4%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money33%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.9%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other3.7%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Charles 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$610 million
- Colleges and universities$68.1 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$2.2 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$2.2 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$235 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; prisons and jails and 3 more
- Police$102 million
- Prisons and jails$21.1 million
- Fire protection$18.0 million
- Courts and legal services$11.5 million
- Inspections and regulation$2.4 million
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$64.2 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$10.6 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$9.0 million
- Government buildings$7.8 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply and garbage and solid waste
- Water supply$46.6 million
- Garbage and solid waste$7.9 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
- Roads and highways$16.2 million
- Public transit$12.0 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$14.7 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$11.6 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$6.4 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Charles 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 Charles 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.