The U.S. Census Bureau has published new data on government organization counts for 2025, providing updated figures and detailed tables on the structure of state and local governments across the United States. The release includes three main tables: Government Units by State, Local Governments by Type and State, and Special District Governments by Function and State. In addition to these tables, the Census Bureau has made available the Organization Public Use File for State and Local Government Structures, which serves as a comprehensive database of U.S. state and local governments along with their major agencies.
The newly released data are categorized by characteristics such as government type, state, population size, group, and function. There is also specific information about school systems, including both independent and dependent districts.
According to the Census Bureau: “The Census of Governments, which includes the Government Organization counts, collects state and local government data every five years in years ending in ‘2’ and ‘7.’ The Organization Component of the Census of Governments provides the official count of active U.S. governments. Now, in addition to the Census of Governments product series, select tables will be published annually.”
The public can access these Government Organization tables through the Census Bureau’s website at www.census.gov/topics/public-sector/government-organization/data/tables.html. The Organization Public Use Files are also available online at www.census.gov/programs-surveys/gus/data/datasets.html.
This update is part of ongoing efforts to provide more frequent insights into government structures nationwide.
