The Individual State Descriptions report provides information about the organization of state and local governments in the U.S.  There is a separate summary for each state and the District of Columbia. Summaries are divided according to the five basic types of local governments.  The Census Bureau established these five types for classifying government units— county, municipal, township, special district, and school district governments.

Public Sector governments in-scope for Government Organization include:

• States
• Counties
• Cities
• Townships
• Special districts (such as water districts, fire districts, library districts, mosquito abatement districts, and so on)
• School districts

Government Organization information includes:

• The number of active governments by type and by state
• Descriptions of the responsibilities and authority of local governments in each state
  

The Census of Governments occurs every 5 years, for years ending in 2 and 7.  It covers all active state and local government units in the U.S. There are currently 11 tables that provide data on local government counts. The most recent Individual State Descriptions report, another census publication, explains the organization and function of local governments within each state and the District of Columbia. In non-census years, there are 3 tables published annually that provide local government counts.  There is also an annual Government Units Listing published containing each independent government, school district, and pension system operating in the U.S. for that reference year.

Government Organization publications from the Census of Governments include:

• Individual State Descriptions report summarizes local government organization and function for each state and District of Columbia.
• Government Organization Tables provide data on local government counts.
• Government Units Listing provides a list of all independent governments, school districts, and pension systems operating in the United States during the census year.

Government Organization publications in non-census years include:

• Government Organization Tables provide data on local government counts.
• Government Units Listing provides a list of all independent governments, school districts, and pension systems operating in the United States during the reference year.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Federal Reserve Board use Census of Governments statistics to measure the nation's economic and financial performance.  State and local governments use the data to develop programs and budgets, assess financial conditions, and perform comparative analyses.

In addition, analysts, economists, market specialists, and researchers need Census of Governments statistics to measure changes in the government sector of the economy and to conduct public policy research. Journalists report on, and teachers and students learn about, their governments' activities using our data. Internally, the Census Bureau uses  Census of Governments statistics as a benchmark for all our non-census year samples regarding government functions.

The Census of Governments provides the only source of periodic information that identifies and describes all units of government in the U.S. The Census uses nationally consistent definitions and classifications for the types of governments and for their activities.

The population of interest, data collection, data processing, and data quality, are available at GUS Methodology.

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