County government · Orange County, NC
Orange County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Orange County took in $540 million and spent $595 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Orange County's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. county of 50,000 to 250,000 people gets 28%.
County taxes52%
What's in other taxesReal estate and stock transfer taxes; alcoholic beverage taxes and 3 more
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$1.4 million
- Alcoholic beverage taxes$805 thousand
- Other licenses$530 thousand
- Motor vehicle licenses$146 thousand
- Occupation and business licenses$62 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services11%
What's in fees for servicesLiquor stores; garbage collection and 8 more
- Liquor stores$24.1 million
- Garbage collection$10.6 million
- Parks and recreation$5.6 million
- Hospital bills$4.9 million
- Other service charges$3.8 million
- School tuition and transportation$3.1 million
- Other government-run businesses$3.0 million
- School lunches$2.2 million
- Parks, land and natural resources$678 thousand
- Other school charges$458 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 money29%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money0.5%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other3.7%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Orange 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
- Elementary and secondary schools$348 million
What's in running the government and other costsGovernment buildings; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
- Government buildings$35.9 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$10.7 million
- Other and not broken out$8.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$6.6 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$45.2 million
- Fire protection$8.6 million
- Inspections and regulation$2.1 million
- Courts and legal services$1.1 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesLiquor stores and garbage and solid waste
- Liquor stores$22.4 million
- Garbage and solid waste$12.1 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$34.4 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$10.3 million
- Libraries$3.4 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$13.4 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingPublic transit
- Public transit$2.5 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$746 thousand
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$410 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Orange 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 Orange 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.