USA – Government Classifications

Government: Local the administration of a particular town, county, or district, with

representatives elected by those who live there.

Examples:

Oakland County Government

City of Tallahassee

Words that tell you the lead should be classified as government: local

“County of”

“City of”

Government: State

A state government is the government of a country subdivision in a federal form of government, which shares political power with the federal or national government. A state government may have some level of political autonomy, or be subject to the direct control of the federal government.

Examples:

Mississippi State Department of Health

Ohio Department of Transportation

Words that tell you the lead should be classified as government: state

Most company names that contain a state name (if you’re not sure, look at the email address, exceptions: Texas Roadhouse (a restaurant would not be part of the state)

“State of”

Government: Federal A union of states under a central government distinct from the

individual governments of the separate states, as in federal government; federal system.

Examples:

Social Security Administration

US Department of Energy

Federal Bureau of Prisoners

Words that tell you the lead should be classified as government: federal

“Federal”

“United States Department”

United States Army/Navy/Marines

Additional Notes

There are exceptions: for example, the US Department of State is Government: Federal and NOT Government: State

Just because a company name has “American” or “USA” in them does not mean they are government

If you’re ever not sure: look at the email address for .gov, .org (usually local government), or .statename.gov (example: oh.gov), or us.army.mil

Examples:

credit card company a news agency

a clothing company