County government · Howard County, MD
Howard County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Howard County took in $2.42 billion and spent $2.48 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Howard County's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. counties of 250,000+ people get none.
County taxes61%
What's in other taxesReal estate and stock transfer taxes; other selective sales taxes and 5 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$17.9 million
- Other selective sales taxes$9.6 million
- Public utility licenses$4.6 million
- Amusement taxes$4.4 million
- Occupation and business licenses$3.1 million
- Other licenses$2.3 million
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$337 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services9.4%
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; garbage collection and 9 more
- Other service charges$58.0 million
- Garbage collection$36.6 million
- Sewer$35.3 million
- Water$28.7 million
- College tuition$27.2 million
- Parks and recreation$22.9 million
- Other school charges$11.8 million
- School lunches$6.5 million
- School tuition and transportation$336 thousand
- University housing and dining$107 thousand
- Parking$14 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money1.9%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money20%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money0.3%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other7.2%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Howard 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$1.22 billion
- Colleges and universities$140 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$7.4 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$2.0 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 3 more
- Police$148 million
- Fire protection$140 million
- Courts and legal services$32.2 million
- Prisons and jails$22.9 million
- Inspections and regulation$10.0 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$182 million
- Government buildings$27.0 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$25.0 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$21.8 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$130 million
- Sewer systems$43.1 million
- Garbage and solid waste$27.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$50.8 million
- Libraries$25.2 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
- Roads and highways$50.8 million
- Public transit$21.6 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$30.9 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$17.1 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$6.3 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Howard 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 Howard 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.