ICMA offers 32 datasets from national surveys dating back to 1982. ICMA's database of local governments includes approximately 11,000 municipalities with populations of 2,500 or greater and all counties. These datasets cover a variety of topics including service delivery, form of government, economic development, smart cities, cybersecurity, state of the profession, and sustainability. These ICMA datasets provide useful information for local decision makers as well as researchers, and they are available for download in Excel files. Please view the ICMA data licensing agreement before you purchase a data set.
A complete list of all ICMA Datasets can be found here.
A list of survey summaries can be found here.
Featured Datasets
Alternative Service Delivery
Examine the service delivery choices, practices, and policies of local government, including adopting and evaluating private service delivery.
County Form of Government
This dataset covers form of government, initiatives for referenda and recall, selection, and composition of elected officials.
Economic Development
Examine economic development practices, including economic development funding activities, business retention, business attraction, and more.
Government Technology Solutions Survey
The results of this survey are meant to give an overview of the capabilities, priorities, and difficulties local governments have in implementing technology solutions.
Immigrant Communities Survey
This survey explores local government policies, programs, and other activities related to immigrant populations in their communities.
Innovations and Emerging Practices Survey
This dataset covers various topics related to public sector innovation as well as newly emerging issues and practices affecting local government management.
Municipal Form of Government
This dataset covers form of government, initiatives for referenda and recall, selection and composition of elected officials.
Smart Cities
Examine local governments’ priorities and activities concerning smart city technologies in the U.S., and learn about motivators and barriers to adopting these technologies.
State of the Profession
This dataset scans interactions of top municipal and county administrators with elected officials in their local governments.
Sustainability
Topics in this national sustainability survey cover water, transportation, energy, recycling, recognition programs, and policy actions.
Once the files are downloaded, saving them as text files allows easy import into SPSS or other statistical software packages. We are unable to provide custom cuts of the survey data, but the full dataset pricing provides affordable survey data for academic research.
ICMA collaborates with academic researchers to acquire funding for national surveys, and those survey results are typically not available until the researcher has been able to publish results.
The files for each dataset, which include the survey instrument and a code sheet, are zip files. Please be sure that your university allows zip files to be downloaded before you purchase. Datasets are non-refundable. To see the listing of available datasets go to the bookstore.
All Available Scholarship Opportunities
Annual Conference
Annual Conference Scholarships
Many ICMA members are challenged by limited resources in their pursuit of gaining the very resources they need to better manage their communities. To help members experience the difference the ICMA Annual Conference has made for so many others, ICMA offers Conference Assistance and scholarships. Members In Transition: MITs are granted complimentary registration to the ICMA Annual Conference. As well, there are a limited amount of funds available to provide travel stipends to our MIT members. Interested parties should contact Rosalyn Ceasar at rceasar@icma.org or via phone at (202) 962-3544.
ICMA Partners Program Scholarship to the Annual Conference
The ICMA Partners Scholarship Program annually provides a monetary travel stipend plus complimentary registration to assist a few member partners in attending their first ICMA Annual Conference. Interested partners should complete the brief application for consideration. For questions about the ICMA Member Partners Program, contact Chris Gendell at cgendell@icma.org.
International
Scholarships to assist ICMA members in gaining an international management perspective.
Tranter-Leong Fellowship
The Tranter-Leong Fellowship offers the opportunity for ICMA members to expand their international horizons while advancing ICMA’s commitment to "think globally, act locally."
John Garvey Scholarship Fund
The John Garvey Scholarship Fund offers the opportunity for ICMA members to gain an international management perspective.
Leadership Development Programs
Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in Local Government
ICMA, through the generosity of our corporate partner, The Ferguson Group, offers a scholarship to an ICMA member to attend the Harvard Kennedy School Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.
Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund Grant
The Leadership ICMA Legacy Fund helps individuals to complete the ICMA Leadership Program who otherwise would not be able to because of being in transition, economic constraints or other mitigating factors.
What role will you play in shaping the future of the local government profession?
ICMA's NextUp initiative is a multifaceted approach to developing and growing the local government management profession, those who aspire to serve in leadership roles, and the organizations and communities they serve. NextUp promotes membership in ICMA, which provides access to important resources and a professional network that can help local government staff achieve their leadership goals.
THE NextUp Initiative is for...
Local government managers who know the ability to successfully lead their communities includes a strong organization supported by skilled and ethical staff members
Local government staff who desire to develop their professional skills, excel within their organization and advance to local government leadership roles
You Are NextUp. Get Started Below.
The ICMA Executive Board directed the organization's Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee (GAPC) to produce annual policy white papers, depending on resources available and the topics that require a managerial perspective. ICMA and the GAPC select key policy issues to which ICMA members bring an important perspective and produce white papers on these issues for general release to ICMA membership, other Big 7 organizations, and the general public.
ICMA's Policy Papers
- Blockchain Technology: Local Government Applications and Challenges (November 2018)
- Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): What Local Government Managers Need to Know (December 2017)
- Infrastructure Financing: A Guide for Local Government Managers (January 2017)
- Municipal Bonds and Infrastructure Development - Past, Present and Future (August 2015)
- Leveraging Local Change: The States' Role (May 2014)
- Management's Perceptions of Annual Financial Reporting White Paper (December 2013)
- Striking a Balance: Matching the Services Offered by Local Governments with the Revenue Realities (December 2012)
- Coping with Crisis: How are Local Governments Reinventing Themselves in the Wake of the Great Recession? (December 2011)
- 211/311: Is There a Case for Consolidation or Collaboration? (July 2010)
- Measuring the Results of Economic Stimulus Investments: Local Government Leading the Way (October 2009)
- Restoring the Intergovernmental Partnership: What Needs to Change(July 2009)
- Immigration Reform: An Intergovernmental Imperative (December 2008)
- A Networked Approach to Improvements in Emergency Management (August 2006 with April 2009 update)
- Emergency Management and Homeland Security (An Overview) (August 2006)
Other White Papers
- Navigating the Fiscal Crisis: Tested Strategies for Local Leaders (January 2009)
- Navigating the Fiscal Crisis: An Introduction for Elected Officials (2009)
- A Proposal for an Intergovernmental Policy Council
This proposal was created by ICMA and with the support of NACo and NLC. The proposal outlines ideas on how to rebuild the intergovernmental partnership between the federal, state, and local governments.
As a whole generation of baby boomers begins to retire, we in local government are searching for energetic learning-oriented younger workers and talented second- or third-career older workers. Public service is a wonderfully fulfilling career for a number of reasons:
1. Meaningful, Challenging Work
Local government service is inherently meaningful because our work is related to building and improving communities. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City and county planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and culture, and library professionals enhance community life. City, town, and county management takes the aspirations of residents and the policy goals of the elected governing board and puts those aspirations and goals into action.
Public service at the local level is also fulfilling because employees see the fruits of their labors. On a daily basis, local government employees see street and other infrastructure improvements; new buildings coming out of the ground; safety improvements; and happier, more fulfilled children, families, and senior residents.
Public service at the local level is also challenging work. The efforts of local government workers happens in the context of local government, where everyone gets to participate, and everyone has a say.
Every day presents new challenges, new problems, and lots of stimuli.
2. Financial Benefits
Local government service offers salaries that are now competitive with the private sector and benefits that are often better. Public agencies need employees with all kinds of talents, skills and occupational interests. Below are samples of positions and recent salaries offered by an average small-to-mid-sized city or county:
| POSITION | SALARY |
| Account Specialist | $53,196 |
| IT Manager | $106,787 |
| City Planner | $80,811 |
| Recreation Supervisor | $101,379 |
| Police Officer | $74,534 |
| Engineer | $89,895 |
| Fire Fighter | $73,195 |
| Building Inspector | $74,727 |
| Administrative Assistant | $60,112 |
| City, Town, or County Manager/Administrator | $136,345 |
| Sr. Water Systems Operator | $78,733 |
| Librarian | $57,695 |
As you can see, local government offers employment in many, many disciplines.
3. Steady Demand for Services
Another reason to consider a career in local government is that the public needs, wants, and demands services. Residents typically do not ask their local government to reduce library, police, or fire services; public works; utilities; park and recreation; or other programs.
While local government may have to cut programs from time-to-time because tax or other revenues decline, the demand for services remains steady.
4. Learning Abounds
Local governments operate in a very dynamic environment. Changing resident demands, new federal and state laws and regulations, technology advances, demographic changes, new value trends, and other societal forces often make technical skills obsolete. Consequently, local governments need agile learners who are eager to pick up new ways of doing business or delivering services. Simply put, we are looking for young people and second- and third-career people who provide "learn-how" as well as "know-how" to our public organizations.
5. Plenty of Opportunities
Again, longtime baby-boomer employees (born 1946-1964) are now retiring. Local government needs a new generation of younger workers as well as those considering second or third careers. Consider local government if:
- You want meaningful and challenging work.
- You want to make a difference and build and improve communities.
- You want a competitive salary and good benefits.
- You are interested in learning.
Come join us in making a difference in your own backyard!
Breaking into local government takes tenacity and patience. Most senior managers will tell you they started their careers with some kind of internship or fellowship (paid and/or unpaid).
As senior managers begin to retire in greater numbers, local governments need bright and dedicated young people to make public service their career. ICMA is working to increase opportunities for the local government leaders of tomorrow.
Here are suggestions for how you can pursue your interest in local government management:
- Search ICMA's Job Center.
- Explore ICMA's Local Government Management Fellowship.
- Check out Management Internships: A Guidebook for Local Governments.
- Veterans, check out our Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship
The websites of state local government management associations often also list internship opportunities. ICMA provides a list of these organizations. If these sites do not offer specific internship listings, they may connect you to resources in other jurisdictions near you.
The Network of Schools of Public Affairs and Administrations (NASPAA) also offers information on internships on its Public Service Careers site. Lastly, your own school or university may have contacts with local governments through its career services or political science/public administration departments.
Informational Interviews
Contacting managers and assistant managers for informational interviews is a great way to build your local government network. If you're an ICMA member, you can find contact information for ICMA members in our Who's Who database.
City and county websites also offer contact information for various departments. Simply Google the local government you'd like to contact.
Local Government Management Fellowship/Internship Programs
(Alphabetized by State)
National Listings
Arizona
California
- CalOpps Internship Clearinghouse
- Municipal Management Association of Southern California Job Board
- Municipal Management Association of Northern California Job Board
- City of Long Beach Management Assistant Program
District of Columbia
Kansas
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington
Nominations Open March 31, 2025—April 25, 2025
Honorary membership in ICMA is awarded to an individual outside of the profession of local government management because of his or her distinguished public service and contributions to the improvement and strengthening of local government.
Individuals eligible for Honorary membership include, but are not limited to, academic leaders, elected officials, and civic leaders. Criteria include:
- Contributions to strengthening the structure of local government.
- Leadership in increasing citizen understanding of the governance and management of local government.
- Initiatives that brought about improvement and development of local government managers.
- Programs, writing, or general career contributions that have enhanced the responsiveness and effectiveness of local government.
In summary, the candidate must have made a considerable contribution either to the improvement of local government and local government management or to the public's understanding and appreciation of responsive and well-managed local government.
A nomination for Honorary membership can be made by any voting member of ICMA and should be e-mailed to awards@icma.org. See the list of past recipients, including the 2022 recipient: Alison McKenney Brown (Lakewood, Colorado).
Honorary Membership Nomination Form
Honorary membership is conferred by a vote of ICMA Corporate members, and nominations are solicited annually in the spring. In June, a vote of the ICMA Executive Board determines which nominee or nominees will be proposed to members for formal acceptance by a vote of the membership. Recipients are honored during the ICMA Annual Conference.
Contact Joyce Lee, senior program manager, at 202/962-3625 or jlee@icma.org with questions or for more information.
