The U.S. Census Bureau has released new data on the structure and number of government organizations in the United States for 2025. The release includes three tables: Government Units by State, Local Governments by Type and State, and Special District Governments by Function and State. In addition, a comprehensive Organization Public Use File for State and Local Government Structures is now available.
These counts are categorized by characteristics such as government type, state, population size, group, and function. The data also provide detailed 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.”
Government Organization tables can be accessed on 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 at www.census.gov/programs-surveys/gus/data/datasets.html.
No formal news release was issued with this product; it was distributed as a tip sheet only.
