National County Government Month
Published on April 28, 2026
Did you know counties are one of America’s oldest forms of government?
County government has been around since 1634, when the first county governments were formed in Virginia. Counties have deep roots that go back even farther to the English “shires” of the 9th century.
As the United States grew, counties grew too. In 1790, there were 292 counties in the country. As more people moved west, more counties were created. Today, there are 3,069 county governments across America.
Did you know counties look very different from one another?
No two counties are exactly alike.
Some counties are home to huge populations, while others are very small. For example:
- Loving County, Texas is the smallest by population, with just 43 residents
- Los Angeles County, California is the largest by population, with nearly 10 million residents
Counties also vary in size:
- Arlington County, Virginia is only 26 square miles
- San Bernardino County, California covers 20,105 square miles (Larger than New Hampshire and Vermont combined)
- North Slope Borough, Alaska is even larger at 88,824 square miles (which would make it the 12th largest state)
Even though counties differ in size, population, and structure, they share a common goal: building healthy, safe, and strong communities.
Did you know counties are a big part of how government works?
Counties are often called the administrative arm of the state. That means they help carry out programs and services created under state law while also responding to local needs.
County leaders—both elected and appointed—work with federal, state, local, and tribal governments. They help manage programs, follow laws and regulations, and make sure services reach the people who need them.
Did you know Wisconsin counties have been around longer than the state itself?
Wisconsin counties have a long history. In fact, they existed before Wisconsin became a state.
The first three counties in what is now Wisconsin were:
- Brown
- Crawford
- Michilimackinac
These were established in 1818.
Today, Wisconsin has 72 counties, and each one plays an important role in serving residents and supporting local communities.
Did you know county boards make important local decisions?
In Wisconsin, each county is governed by a County Board. County Boards help shape local government by:
- setting county policy
- adopting county ordinances
- approving budgets
- deciding service priorities
These decisions help make sure county government reflects the needs of the community.
Did you know Wisconsin counties can be managed in different ways?
Not every county is organized the same way.
Depending on the county, administration may be led by:
- an appointed County Administrator
- an appointed Administrative Coordinator
- an elected County Executive
Each model has different powers under Wisconsin law, but all are meant to support strong local leadership and effective service delivery.
Did you know counties provide services you may use every day?
A lot of county services happen behind the scenes, but they affect daily life in a big way.
Counties help provide:
- snow plowing and road maintenance
- jail and law enforcement services
- court administration
- public health programs
- human services
- libraries
- vital records
- land conservation
- property tax collection
- elections administration
- veterans services
Counties also support major infrastructure like roads, bridges, hospitals, courthouses, parks, water systems, and sewage systems.
Did you know counties help protect health and safety?
County governments play a major role in keeping communities safe and healthy.
County health departments may:
- give flu shots
- share health information
- respond to public health emergencies
- support community wellness
Counties also help with:
- emergency planning
- disaster response
- recovery efforts
- law enforcement
- court operations
- jail management
From public safety to public health, counties are on the front lines.
Did you know counties help support local jobs and growth?
Counties do more than provide services. They also help communities plan for the future.
Counties support:
- land use and zoning
- community planning
- business growth
- housing and development
- job creation and retention
Across the country, counties employ more than 3.6 million public servants. That means county government is also a major employer and a key partner in local economic success.
Did you know counties help veterans access benefits?
In many states, County Veteran Service Officers help veterans and their families connect with federal benefits such as:
- health care
- disability benefits
- pensions
- compensation
- transition assistance
Although these offices focus on federal benefits, they are often funded mainly by counties. Their work has a real impact on the lives of veterans in our communities.
Did you know Wisconsin voters elect several county officials?
Wisconsin voters choose county officials who carry out important duties, including:
- Clerk of Circuit Court
- County Clerk
- District Attorney
- Register of Deeds
- Sheriff
- Treasurer
These officials help keep county government running and provide services the public depends on.
Why this matters
County government may not always make headlines, but it touches nearly every part of community life. When roads are cleared, records are filed, elections are run, health services are delivered, or emergency teams respond, county government is often part of that work.
That is why National County Government Month matters. It is a chance to recognize the public servants, departments, and leaders who help counties work every day.
How you can take a more active role in your county government
Want to get more involved? Here are a few easy ways to start:
- Attend a County Board meeting
- Visit your county website to learn about services and departments
- Sign up for county news or alerts
- Vote in local elections
- Reach out to your county supervisor or local officials
- Ask questions about county programs, budgets, and priorities
- Share county information with friends, family, and neighbors
The more residents know about county government, the stronger the community becomes.
Final thought
Every county is different, but all counties help make community life possible. They connect people to services, protect public health and safety, maintain important infrastructure, and support a better quality of life.
As we close out National County Government Month, take a moment to learn more about your county—and consider how you can be part of the work that keeps your community strong.
Sources:
National Association of Counties (NACo), National County Government Month, accessed April 28, 2026.
Wisconsin Counties Association, What Are Counties? PowerPoint slides, accessed March 4, 2026.