County government · Arlington County, VA
Arlington County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Arlington County took in $1.96 billion and spent $2.28 billion.
See every government that serves your ZIP
Where it comes from
What stands out
of Arlington County's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. county of 50,000 to 250,000 people gets 28%.
County taxes69%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; other selective sales taxes and 5 more
- Occupation and business licenses$89.4 million
- Other selective sales taxes$74.0 million
- Public utility taxes$17.8 million
- Other licenses$8.9 million
- Motor vehicle licenses$5.0 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$4.5 million
- Tobacco taxes$2.0 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services13%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 9 more
- Sewer$68.9 million
- Water$68.9 million
- Other service charges$60.1 million
- School tuition and transportation$16.5 million
- Garbage collection$13.7 million
- Housing$11.2 million
- Parks and recreation$8.4 million
- School lunches$5.1 million
- Parking$3.5 million
- Other school charges$266 thousand
- Road charges$35 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money1.6%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money8.9%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money0.2%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.8%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Arlington 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$788 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$225 million
- Government buildings$36.0 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$22.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$21.1 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 3 more
- Fire protection$115 million
- Police$108 million
- Prisons and jails$52.1 million
- Courts and legal services$20.2 million
- Inspections and regulation$1.6 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$199 million
- Parking$2.7 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$168 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; water supply and 1 more
- Sewer systems$71.4 million
- Water supply$71.4 million
- Garbage and solid waste$21.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$69.5 million
- Libraries$22.5 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$86.0 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$76.5 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$31.2 million
- Interest on water supply debt$3.0 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Arlington 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 Arlington 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.