County government · Harford County, MD
Harford County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Harford County took in $1.36 billion and spent $1.81 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Harford 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 taxesReal estate and stock transfer taxes; other selective sales taxes and 5 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$13.1 million
- Other selective sales taxes$2.9 million
- Public utility licenses$2.1 million
- Other licenses$1.8 million
- Occupation and business licenses$680 thousand
- Amusement taxes$392 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$26 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services9.1%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 10 more
- Sewer$31.9 million
- Water$26.2 million
- Other service charges$18.4 million
- Garbage collection$18.0 million
- College tuition$14.7 million
- School lunches$7.2 million
- University housing and dining$4.3 million
- Road charges$1.9 million
- School tuition and transportation$726 thousand
- Transit fares$397 thousand
- Parks and recreation$157 thousand
- Other school charges$36 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.2%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money31%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.5%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other2.8%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Harford 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$766 million
- Colleges and universities$79.6 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$4.3 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$2.4 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$367 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; prisons and jails and 3 more
- Police$89.0 million
- Prisons and jails$35.1 million
- Fire protection$33.9 million
- Courts and legal services$14.7 million
- Inspections and regulation$3.6 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$108 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$13.1 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$10.9 million
- Government buildings$6.5 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; garbage and solid waste and 1 more
- Water supply$39.9 million
- Garbage and solid waste$23.1 million
- Sewer systems$21.8 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
- Roads and highways$56.2 million
- Public transit$8.6 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$21.9 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$6.7 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Harford 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 Harford 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.