Federal Spending Guides
Data-driven guides and analysis to help you understand how federal dollars flow across America.
January 15, 2026
Counties Receiving the Most Federal Funding (2026)
The 25 US counties that receive the most total federal dollars in FY2024 — contracts, grants, and obligations combined.
January 15, 2026
Counties with Highest Per-Capita Federal Spending (2026)
The 25 US counties with the highest federal spending per resident in FY2024. Military bases, research labs, and federal facilities drive the numbers.
January 15, 2026
Federal Contracts vs. Grants: Where Each Dominates
A comparison of counties where federal contracts (goods and services) make up the largest share of spending versus counties driven by grants.
January 15, 2026
Counties with the Lowest Per-Capita Federal Spending (2026)
The 25 US counties receiving the least federal funding per resident. Understanding gaps in federal investment distribution.
January 15, 2026
Per-Capita Federal Spending by State: All 50 States Ranked (2026)
Every US state ranked by average per-capita federal spending. See which states receive the most and least federal investment per resident.
January 15, 2026
Top Counties for Federal Contract Opportunities (2026)
The best counties for businesses seeking federal contracts — high contract volumes, accessible markets, and diverse agency spending.
January 15, 2026
Counties Where Federal Contracts Dominate (2026)
The 25 counties where contracts make up the largest share of federal spending — prime territory for businesses selling to the government.
January 15, 2026
Counties Where Federal Grants Dominate (2026)
The 25 counties where grants make up the largest share of federal spending — communities supported by government awards to institutions and local governments.
January 15, 2026
Defense-Dependent Counties: America's Military-Funding Hubs (2026)
The counties most dependent on defense and military-related federal spending — bases, contractors, and national security facilities.
January 15, 2026
Rural Counties with Surprising Federal Investment (2026)
Rural America receives significant federal investment through USDA, health, and infrastructure programs. These rural counties lead in per-capita funding.
January 15, 2026
University Research Counties: America's Science Funding Hubs (2026)
The counties receiving the most federal research funding — home to major universities, NIH grants, and national laboratories.
January 15, 2026
Understanding Federal Spending Patterns by County Type (2026)
How federal spending differs across urban, suburban, and rural counties — and what drives the variation in per-capita investment.
January 15, 2026
The Largest Federal Spending Destinations in FY2024
Which counties received the most total federal obligations in FY2024? The rankings reveal where federal investment is most concentrated.
January 15, 2026
Contract-Heavy vs. Grant-Heavy Counties (2026)
A deep dive into the counties dominated by federal contracts versus those driven by grants — and what it means for local economies.
January 15, 2026
Federal Spending in Rural vs. Urban Counties (2026)
How federal investment patterns differ between rural and urban America — per-capita breakdowns, program types, and economic impact.