Fulton County, Georgia – For Fulton County, the latest national recognition is not about a single app, website or software upgrade. It is about how technology is being woven into the daily work of local government, and whether residents can actually feel the difference.
That effort has now placed the county among the country’s leading large local governments. Fulton County finished ninth nationwide in the 2026 Digital Counties Survey for counties with populations of 1 million or more.
The Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties, known as NACo, announced the honor as part of an annual program examining how counties use technology to improve public services, strengthen internal operations and connect more effectively with their communities.
Fulton County received the recognition during the NACo Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 15, 2026. The gathering brought together county technology officials, public-sector innovators and government leaders from across the United States to compare approaches and recognize successful digital strategies.
The survey looks beyond whether a county has modern equipment or online services. It considers how technology projects support broader organizational goals, produce measurable improvements for residents and help government operations remain reliable during changing conditions and future demands.
That wider focus helped Fulton County stand out in the largest population category. Its placement reflects work by the county’s Innovation and Technology Services Department to modernize government systems while making service delivery more efficient and responsive.
“To be recognized on a national level reinforces Fulton County’s commitment to using innovation to better serve our residents,” said Fulton County Chief Information Officer Kevin Kerrigan. “This achievement sets a national benchmark and serves as the foundation of the work being done in the county to modernize and improve the delivery of government services.”
The Digital Counties Survey is designed to identify local governments that are turning current challenges into practices other counties can study and adapt. Winners are recognized for connecting technology investments to real public needs rather than treating digital improvements as isolated technical projects.
For residents, that approach can shape how quickly agencies respond, how easily information can be accessed and how smoothly county departments work together. For government employees, stronger systems can reduce inefficiencies and create operations that are better prepared to support new services in the years ahead.
All 2026 recipients were also scheduled to be honored during the Digital Counties Awards Dinner held alongside the NACo conference in New Orleans. The event gives county leaders an opportunity to celebrate results while sharing methods for handling common problems facing public agencies nationwide.
The Center for Digital Government also credited its Digital Communities corporate partners for supporting the survey and awards program. Their involvement helps the organization continue highlighting counties that use technology in practical, community-focused ways.
Fulton County’s ninth-place finish gives the county a national marker of progress. More importantly, officials say it provides a foundation for the next stage of modernization, work intended to make government services stronger, more resilient and easier for residents to use.
