Overcoming the Odds: Survey Finds U.S. Counties Leading the Way With Technology Despite Fewer Resources


SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - Jul 16, 2012) - Fairfax County, Virginia; Dutchess County, New York; County of Sussex, New Jersey and Charles County, Maryland are all first place winners in the 2012 Digital Counties Survey which recognizes leading examples of counties using information and communications technology. E.Republic's Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities program, in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), identify best technology practices among counties nationwide, regardless of size.

Center for Digital Government Executive Director, Todd Sander, said, "This year counties are focused on saving money where they can by simplifying their information technology infrastructure and sharing systems with other governments. Many of them have found ways to provide better information security, transparency and citizen engagement with innovative uses of social media and advanced decision support tools. Congratulations to the winners!"

"Counties across the country are aligning technology initiatives with executive strategic priorities to provide vital cost savings and administrative efficiencies," said NACo Executive Director Larry E. Naake. "The Digital Counties Survey identifies best practices and innovative uses of technology crucial with today's constrained budgets to maintaining and even improving service levels."

This year's survey was underwritten by CDW-G; Cisco; Motorola; Quest Software; and Symantec.

Congratulations to the 2012 Digital Counties Survey Winners!

500,000 or more population:

1st   Fairfax County, VA
2nd   Oakland County, MI
3rd   Palm Beach County, FL
4th   County of San Diego, CA
5th   Bexar County, TX
5th   King County, WA
6th   Montgomery County, MD
7th   Orange County, FL
8th   Fulton County, GA
8th   Sacramento County, CA
9th   Baltimore County, MD
9th   Tulsa County, OK
10th   Hennepin County, MN
10th   Wake County, NC

250-499,999 population:

1st   Dutchess County, NY
2nd   Washoe County, NV
3rd   Dakota County, MN
4th   Douglas County, CO
5th   Chesterfield County, VA
6th   Clackamas County, OR
7th   Loudoun County, VA
8th   Hamilton County, IN
9th   Washtenaw County, MI
10th   Anoka County, MN
10th   Ottawa County, MI

150-249,999 population:

1st   County of Sussex, NJ
2nd   Cumberland County, PA
3rd   St. Tammany Parish, LA
4th   Gaston County, NC
5th   Lackawanna County, PA
6th   Catawba County, NC
7th   Doña Ana County, NM
8th   Cabarrus County, NC
9th   Boone County, MO
10th   Davidson County, NC
10th   Onslow County, NC

Less than 150,000 population:

1st   Charles County, MD
2nd   Nevada County, CA
3rd   Roanoke County, VA
4th   County of Allegan, MI
5th   Napa County, CA
6th   County of Albemarle, VA
7th   Polk County, WI
8th   Franklin County, VA
9th   County of Moore, NC
10th   Gloucester County, VA

The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government. The Center is a division of e.Republic, a national publishing, event and research company focused on smart media for public sector innovation.

The National Association of Counties (NACo) is a full-service organization that provides legislative, research, technical, and public affairs assistance to county governments. Created in 1935, NACo continues to ensure that the nation's 3,068 counties are heard and understood in the White House and Congress. http://www.naco.org