Prince William County Ranked No. 1 in Nation for Digital Innovation

Prince William County recently earned the top ranking in the nation in the 2026 Digital Counties Survey for counties with populations between 500,000 and 999,999. The annual award recognizes counties that demonstrate excellence in technology leadership, digital transformation and innovation to improve service for residents, businesses and employees.   

After earning top-three national rankings for five consecutive years in the 250,000 to 499,999 population category, Prince William County moved into the larger population category this year and captured the No. 1 ranking.  

Presented annually by the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties, the Digital Counties Survey recognizes counties that use technology to improve government operations, enhance the resident experience and prepare for future challenges. 

“This recognition reflects the incredible work happening across our entire organization,” said Dr. Alicia Hart, Deputy County Executive for Government Operations, Performance & Innovation. “Technology is most effective when it helps people. Every innovation we implement is focused on making county government more accessible, responsive and secure while giving our employees the tools they need to better serve our community.” 

Prince William County earned the top ranking for its enterprise-wide approach to technology and innovation. The survey evaluated counties on their efforts to modernize digital services, expand online access to government resources, strengthen cybersecurity, advance responsible artificial intelligence and improve collaboration across departments.  

The county's technology initiatives are guided by the 2025-2028 Strategic Plan and are designed to create more efficient, transparent and customer-focused government services.  

The Digital Counties Survey recognized Prince William County's commitment to: 

• Delivering digital services that improve access to county government. 
• Using technology to increase transparency and strengthen resident engagement. 
• Modernizing systems that improve efficiency and service delivery. 
• Embedding cybersecurity and responsible AI into county operations. 
• Expanding digital inclusion and preparing the county for future innovation. 

Among the initiatives highlighted in the county's submission were continued expansion of digital resident services through PWC Works and 311, enterprise technology governance, AI-powered tools that enhance customer service and public safety operations, and cross-departmental technology solutions that support critical county services. 

The county's 311 portal allows residents to submit service requests online, route requests directly to the appropriate department and track progress in real time. Developed by the Prince William County Department of Information Technology, the platform provides residents with a convenient way to connect with county government. 

PWC Works is the county's online public engagement platform, giving residents opportunities to learn about projects, share feedback and participate in decisions that shape the community. The platform reflects the Board of County Supervisors' commitment to transparency, collaboration and exceptional customer service. 

“This recognition demonstrates what is possible when innovation is aligned with a clear vision for serving our community; and we appreciate the Board of County Supervisors commitment to making this happen,” said County Executive Chris Shorter. “Technology is helping us deliver on every goal in our Strategic Plan by making county government more accessible, responsive and efficient. Whether someone is requesting a service, participating in a public project or accessing county information, we are creating better experiences today while building the foundation for the future.” 

In its 24th year, the annual Digital Counties Survey Awards showcases the nation’s counties using technology to improve government operations, strengthen public services, and deliver better outcomes for residents. 

Learn more about Prince William County’s recognition and this year’s honorees.