County government · Rutherford County, NC
Rutherford County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Rutherford County took in $250 million and spent $226 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Rutherford County's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. county of 50,000 to 250,000 people gets 22%.
County taxes31%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; real estate and stock transfer taxes and 2 more
- Occupation and business licenses$753 thousand
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$458 thousand
- Other licenses$209 thousand
- Motor vehicle licenses$39 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services7.4%
What's in fees for servicesGarbage collection; hospital bills and 7 more
- Garbage collection$5.9 million
- Hospital bills$4.4 million
- Other government-run businesses$2.5 million
- Other service charges$2.3 million
- University housing and dining$1.3 million
- College tuition$656 thousand
- Transit fares$572 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$553 thousand
- School lunches$275 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money2.7%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money53%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.4%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other4.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Rutherford 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$110 million
- Colleges and universities$20.9 million
- Scholarships and other education subsidies$2.8 million
- College housing, dining and bookstores$972 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 3 more
- Police$15.2 million
- Fire protection$7.0 million
- Prisons and jails$4.1 million
- Inspections and regulation$638 thousand
- Courts and legal services$373 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$17.8 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$17.0 million
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology); government buildings and 2 more
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$3.7 million
- Government buildings$2.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$2.4 million
- Other and not broken out$1.9 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; water supply and 1 more
- Garbage and solid waste$5.4 million
- Water supply$383 thousand
- Sewer systems$9 thousand
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$2.1 million
- Libraries$815 thousand
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$2.2 million
- Interest on water supply debt$23 thousand
What's in roads, transit and parkingPublic transit
- Public transit$1.4 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$1.3 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$378 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Rutherford 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 Rutherford 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.