Federal contracts represent purchases of goods and services by federal agencies — everything from fighter jets and IT systems to office supplies and consulting services. For businesses, counties with high contract volumes represent major market opportunities.
We analyzed USASpending.gov FY2024 data to identify the 25 counties where contracts make up the largest share of total federal spending. These are the places where the federal government is buying, not granting.
Top 25 Contract-Heavy Counties
Ranked by the percentage of total federal spending that comes from contracts (vs. grants).
| Rank | County | State | Contract % | Total Contracts | Total Spending |
|---|
What Contract-Heavy Counties Have in Common
- Defense industry presence: Counties with major defense contractors, shipyards, or aerospace facilities dominate the contract rankings.
- Federal procurement hubs: Counties near Washington DC and other federal administrative centers see high volumes of service contracts.
- Research and development: Counties with federal R&D facilities receive significant contract funding for scientific and technical services.
- Construction and infrastructure: Counties with ongoing federal construction projects (bases, border facilities, dams) see elevated contract spending.
How Businesses Can Use This Data
If your business sells to the federal government, these counties represent your highest-probability markets. Consider registering on SAM.gov, researching the top contracting agencies in these counties, and identifying teaming partners who already have established federal relationships in these areas.
Methodology
Data from USASpending.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury, FY2024. Contract-heavy ranking is calculated as (federal contract obligations / total federal obligations) × 100. Counties with missing contract or total spending data were excluded.
Data source: USASpending.gov, U.S. Department of the Treasury, FY2024 (Oct 2023 – Sep 2024). All figures are estimates based on federal obligation data and may not reflect current spending.