Government budget and revenue in Ames, Iowa: official figures
Ames' city government took in $471.63 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $7,044 for each of its 66,950 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 33rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Ames spend and on what?
It spent $419.94 million in the same year, $6,272 per resident, the 62nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were hospitals (52.2%), the electric utility (15.1%) and public transit (7.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Ames collect per resident?
Taxes raised $51.48 million ($769 per resident, the 112th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 13.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Ames rely on?
Of Ames' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 67.8%, general sales tax 23.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Ames' property tax share is the 190th highest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Ames get?
Payments from other governments made up 5.7% of Ames' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 1.8% from the federal government ($108 per resident), 3.6% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Ames raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $273.91 million, 69.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $79.05 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Ames spend on police?
Ames' city government spent $10.54 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $157 per resident (the 27th lowest of 582) and 2.5% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Ames spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $8.41 million, $126 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Ames have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Ames' city government owed $216.80 million in long-term debt, $3,238 per resident (the 180th highest of 582). During the year it issued $22.40 million of new long-term debt and repaid $21.40 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Ames pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $7.16 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Ames city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 20.5% from $5,846 to $7,044, spending per resident rose 11.9% to $6,272, taxes per resident rose 5.6% to $769.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Ames compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 53 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Waltham | $5,902 |
| 51 | Long Beach | $5,892 |
| 52 | Lakeland | $5,887 |
| 53 | Ames | $5,846 |
| 54 | Norfolk | $5,837 |
| 55 | Anchorage | $5,806 |
| 56 | Buffalo | $5,791 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 69 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Tacoma | $5,635 |
| 67 | Barnstable Town | $5,626 |
| 68 | Bridgeport | $5,624 |
| 69 | Ames | $5,606 |
| 70 | Baton Rouge | $5,512 |
| 71 | Revere | $5,460 |
| 72 | Lawrence | $5,453 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 572 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 569 | Westfield | $736 |
| 570 | Palatine | $735 |
| 571 | Albany | $730 |
| 572 | Ames | $728 |
| 573 | Clovis | $728 |
| 574 | Oshkosh | $727 |
| 575 | Antioch | $725 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 708 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 705 | College Station | $149 |
| 706 | Yorba Linda | $149 |
| 707 | Johns Creek | $148 |
| 708 | Ames | $144 |
| 709 | Diamond Bar | $138 |
| 710 | Deltona | $132 |
| 711 | Moreno Valley | $128 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 200 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 197 | Tulsa | $3,238 |
| 198 | Virginia Beach | $3,225 |
| 199 | San Luis Obispo | $3,196 |
| 200 | Ames | $3,183 |
| 201 | Longmont | $3,178 |
| 202 | Oxnard | $3,174 |
| 203 | Orlando | $3,146 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 187 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 184 | Rochester | 69.6% |
| 185 | Garland | 69.5% |
| 186 | Jeffersonville | 69.1% |
| 187 | Ames | 69.0% |
| 188 | Waterloo | 68.9% |
| 189 | Salem | 68.9% |
| 190 | Bowie | 68.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Ames ranks 350 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 347 | Bradenton | 18.3% |
| 348 | Lenexa | 18.3% |
| 349 | North Miami | 18.2% |
| 350 | Ames | 18.2% |
| 351 | La Habra | 18.2% |
| 352 | Ankeny | 18.2% |
| 353 | Paramount | 18.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 33 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Springfield | $7,287 |
| 31 | Philadelphia | $7,208 |
| 32 | Trenton | $7,103 |
| 33 | Ames | $7,044 |
| 34 | Pasadena | $6,910 |
| 35 | Norfolk | $6,898 |
| 36 | Harrisonburg | $6,838 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 62 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | New Orleans | $6,502 |
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
| 61 | Portsmouth | $6,277 |
| 62 | Ames | $6,272 |
| 63 | Baton Rouge | $6,268 |
| 64 | Roseville | $6,264 |
| 65 | Lakeland | $6,222 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 471 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 468 | Miami Gardens | $783 |
| 469 | Novi | $781 |
| 470 | Moreno Valley | $776 |
| 471 | Ames | $769 |
| 472 | Pasco | $765 |
| 473 | Lauderhill | $763 |
| 474 | Reno | $761 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 556 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 553 | Santa Clarita | $163 |
| 554 | Madison | $159 |
| 555 | Smyrna | $158 |
| 556 | Ames | $157 |
| 557 | Greenwood | $153 |
| 558 | Haverhill | $148 |
| 559 | Sammamish | $141 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 180 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 177 | Bloomington | $3,268 |
| 178 | St. Petersburg | $3,253 |
| 179 | Muncie | $3,240 |
| 180 | Ames | $3,238 |
| 181 | Sarasota | $3,222 |
| 182 | Lafayette | $3,214 |
| 183 | Scottsdale | $3,190 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 190 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 187 | St. Petersburg | 68.4% |
| 188 | Greenwood | 68.3% |
| 189 | Dallas | 68.3% |
| 190 | Ames | 67.8% |
| 191 | Chapel Hill | 67.6% |
| 192 | Tallahassee | 67.5% |
| 193 | West Palm Beach | 67.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Ames ranks 547 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 544 | Eagle Mountain | 5.9% |
| 545 | Mobile | 5.9% |
| 546 | Midland | 5.8% |
| 547 | Ames | 5.7% |
| 548 | Lake Elsinore | 5.5% |
| 549 | Richardson | 5.5% |
| 550 | Redwood City | 5.5% |
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Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.