Prince George's County Maintains Strong Credit Profile with AAA Rating from S&P and Fitch
LARGO, MD – Acting County Executive Tara Jackson today received confirmation of Prince George’s County’s strong financial standing following the latest updates from major credit rating agencies. The County has once again earned AAA ratings from both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings, the highest possible designation, reflecting its sound fiscal management, strong reserves, and long-term financial planning. In addition, Moody’s Investors Service assigned the County a Aa1 rating, a slight downgrade consistent with similar adjustments Moody’s has assigned other jurisdictions across the region. Despite this change, Prince George’s County remains among the top-rated jurisdictions nationwide.
“These ratings show that our fiscal house is not only in order, but built for the future,” said Acting County Executive Tara Jackson. “We’ve taken deliberate steps to strengthen our reserves, invest in our communities, and build a foundation of financial resilience that supports long-term growth.”
“Credit ratings like these reflect a deep commitment to disciplined budgeting and strategic decision-making,” said Stephen McGibbon, Director of Finance. “Our team has worked diligently to safeguard the County’s financial health by maintaining strong cash reserves, managing debt responsibly, and aligning our investments with long-term community needs. These ratings validate that approach and position us well for the future.”
Highlights of the Ratings
• S&P Global (AAA) Maintains the County's long-standing AAA rating, underscoring its strong financial base and disciplined capital planning.
• Fitch (AAA) Reaffirmed the County’s AAA rating reflects the County's historically strong operating performance supporting its 'AAA' financial resilience assessment.
• Moody’s (Aa1) Cited concerns over the County’s vulnerability to federal job cuts and weak demand in the national economy.
“The AAA ratings from Fitch and S&P reaffirm our strong financial management and longstanding commitment to fiscal discipline,” said Acting County Executive Tara Jackson. “In light of our successful efforts to address the issues that led to their negative outlook, I am disappointed that Moody’s chose to downgrade us to Aa1. Our ability to meet those challenges demonstrates our agility and sound planning. By maintaining healthy reserves, diversifying revenue, and investing strategically in our communities, we continue to build investor confidence and deliver long-term stability for our residents.”
For residents, these strong credit ratings translate into real, tangible benefits. By securing the highest ratings from both S&P and Fitch, and maintaining a strong position with Moody’s, Prince George’s County can borrow money at lower interest rates. This means that more public dollars can be directed toward vital investments in infrastructure, education, transportation, and public safety, rather than being spent on debt service.
The County is also advancing major growth initiatives, including transformative public-private projects in areas like Largo, National Harbor, and key revitalization corridors. These efforts are paired with a continued focus on conservative budgeting and prudent cost management to ensure sustainable spending.
In addition, the County is actively pursuing fiscal innovation by diversifying its revenue sources, reducing reliance on federal employment, and other vulnerable funding streams. These combined efforts position Prince George’s County to remain financially strong, responsive to future challenges, and well-prepared to support the needs of its growing community.
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