County government · Burke County, NC
Burke County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Burke County took in $289 million and spent $291 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Burke County's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. county of 50,000 to 250,000 people gets 22%.
County taxes32%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; occupation and business licenses and 3 more
- Other selective sales taxes$931 thousand
- Occupation and business licenses$613 thousand
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$453 thousand
- Other licenses$291 thousand
- Motor vehicle licenses$56 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services5.9%
What's in fees for servicesGarbage collection; hospital bills and 11 more
- Garbage collection$6.2 million
- Hospital bills$5.2 million
- Water$1.5 million
- College tuition$1.2 million
- Other service charges$643 thousand
- Sewer$569 thousand
- Other government-run businesses$515 thousand
- University housing and dining$444 thousand
- School lunches$441 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$285 thousand
- Parks and recreation$77 thousand
- Other school charges$58 thousand
- Parks, land and natural resources$17 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money2.2%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money50%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.0%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other8.8%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Burke 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$152 million
- Colleges and universities$21.1 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$941 thousand
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$692 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 3 more
- Police$26.6 million
- Fire protection$10.9 million
- Prisons and jails$5.1 million
- Inspections and regulation$635 thousand
- Courts and legal services$273 thousand
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology); finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$11.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$6.1 million
- Government buildings$3.4 million
- Other and not broken out$3.0 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$23.1 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; water supply and 1 more
- Garbage and solid waste$8.0 million
- Water supply$2.0 million
- Sewer systems$1 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$5.8 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation
- Libraries$2.1 million
- Parks and recreation$1.1 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$1.1 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$649 thousand
What's in roads, transit and parkingPublic transit
- Public transit$107 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Burke 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 Burke 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.