County government · Washington County, MD
Washington County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Washington County took in $731 million and spent $854 million.
See every government that serves your ZIP
Where it comes from
What stands out
of Washington 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; estate and gift taxes and 4 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$7.7 million
- Estate and gift taxes$5.0 million
- Other licenses$3.7 million
- Other selective sales taxes$3.4 million
- Amusement taxes$478 thousand
- Occupation and business licenses$305 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services7.3%
What's in fees for servicesCollege tuition; sewer and 11 more
- College tuition$12.7 million
- Sewer$12.1 million
- Garbage collection$9.4 million
- Other service charges$4.2 million
- Other school charges$3.9 million
- Airport$3.1 million
- School lunches$2.4 million
- University housing and dining$1.7 million
- Parks and recreation$1.6 million
- Water$1.1 million
- Road charges$567 thousand
- Transit fares$357 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$172 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 money43%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.7%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other5.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Washington 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$412 million
- Colleges and universities$50.8 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$6.4 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$122 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 3 more
- Fire protection$28.9 million
- Police$28.6 million
- Prisons and jails$24.1 million
- Courts and legal services$13.2 million
- Inspections and regulation$5.7 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$45.0 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$7.0 million
- Government buildings$4.4 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$4.0 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and airports
- Roads and highways$28.6 million
- Airports$10.6 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; garbage and solid waste and 1 more
- Sewer systems$10.4 million
- Garbage and solid waste$7.7 million
- Water supply$6.7 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation
- Libraries$4.9 million
- Parks and recreation$4.4 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$3.2 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$2.1 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Washington 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 Washington 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.