Government budget and revenue in Anchorage, Alaska: official figures
Anchorage's city government took in $1.6 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $5,700 for each of its 287,145 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 72nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Anchorage spend and on what?
It spent $1.8 billion in the same year, $6,210 per resident, the 66th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (47.5%), police (8.8%) and fire protection (7.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Anchorage collect per resident?
Taxes raised $749.85 million ($2,611 per resident, the 37th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 48.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Anchorage rely on?
Of Anchorage's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 81.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 14.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Anchorage's property tax share is the 131st 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 Anchorage get?
Payments from other governments made up 33.0% of Anchorage's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 1.9% from the federal government ($104 per resident), 31.1% 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 Anchorage raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $171.52 million, 11.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $74.39 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Anchorage spend on police?
Anchorage's city government spent $156.34 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $544 per resident (the 79th highest of 582) and 8.8% 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 Anchorage spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $126.92 million, $442 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Anchorage city government run the schools?
Anchorage's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $847.87 million, 47.5% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Anchorage have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Anchorage's city government owed $1.2 billion in long-term debt, $4,301 per resident (the 114th highest of 582). During the year it issued $39.85 million of new long-term debt and repaid $103.82 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Anchorage pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $51.59 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Anchorage city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 1.8% from $5,806 to $5,700, spending per resident fell 6.8% to $6,210, taxes per resident rose 2.7% to $2,611.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Anchorage 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))
Anchorage ranks 55 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Lakeland | $5,887 |
| 53 | Ames | $5,846 |
| 54 | Norfolk | $5,837 |
| 55 | Anchorage | $5,806 |
| 56 | Buffalo | $5,791 |
| 57 | Stamford | $5,758 |
| 58 | New Orleans | $5,749 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Yonkers | $6,768 |
| 28 | Trenton | $6,762 |
| 29 | Philadelphia | $6,714 |
| 30 | Anchorage | $6,665 |
| 31 | Waterbury | $6,620 |
| 32 | Watsonville | $6,617 |
| 33 | Lansing | $6,600 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 34 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Denver | $2,609 |
| 32 | Yonkers | $2,574 |
| 33 | Newport Beach | $2,545 |
| 34 | Anchorage | $2,542 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $2,531 |
| 36 | Hartford | $2,501 |
| 37 | Waterbury | $2,486 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 73 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | South Bend | $521 |
| 71 | Hayward | $521 |
| 72 | Sunrise | $516 |
| 73 | Anchorage | $515 |
| 74 | San Mateo | $514 |
| 75 | Glendale | $512 |
| 76 | Concord | $511 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Lynchburg | $4,503 |
| 113 | Norman | $4,373 |
| 114 | Madison | $4,364 |
| 115 | Anchorage | $4,346 |
| 116 | Nashua | $4,341 |
| 117 | Kingsport | $4,320 |
| 118 | Cambridge | $4,299 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 127 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Somerville | 85.7% |
| 125 | Albany | 85.0% |
| 126 | Rochester | 84.8% |
| 127 | Anchorage | 84.0% |
| 128 | Westfield | 83.8% |
| 129 | Woodbury | 83.6% |
| 130 | Noblesville | 83.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Anchorage ranks 80 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | North Las Vegas | 38.8% |
| 78 | Kokomo | 38.8% |
| 79 | Millcreek | 38.7% |
| 80 | Anchorage | 38.4% |
| 81 | Kentwood | 38.4% |
| 82 | Newport News | 38.3% |
| 83 | Sandy Springs | 38.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 72 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Los Angeles | $5,808 |
| 70 | Norwalk | $5,805 |
| 71 | East Orange | $5,782 |
| 72 | Anchorage | $5,700 |
| 73 | Lynn | $5,687 |
| 74 | Hampton | $5,657 |
| 75 | Fall River | $5,649 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Baton Rouge | $6,268 |
| 64 | Roseville | $6,264 |
| 65 | Lakeland | $6,222 |
| 66 | Anchorage | $6,210 |
| 67 | Gainesville | $6,165 |
| 68 | Lynchburg | $6,143 |
| 69 | Galveston | $6,142 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Norfolk | $2,654 |
| 35 | Peabody | $2,621 |
| 36 | Newport News | $2,615 |
| 37 | Anchorage | $2,611 |
| 38 | Weymouth Town | $2,606 |
| 39 | Galveston | $2,587 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $2,574 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 79 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Whittier | $555 |
| 77 | Davie | $552 |
| 78 | Sunrise | $545 |
| 79 | Anchorage | $544 |
| 80 | Redding | $544 |
| 81 | Santa Ana | $543 |
| 82 | Melbourne | $540 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 114 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Detroit | $4,363 |
| 112 | Phoenix | $4,323 |
| 113 | Midland | $4,314 |
| 114 | Anchorage | $4,301 |
| 115 | Commerce City | $4,279 |
| 116 | Tallahassee | $4,274 |
| 117 | Richardson | $4,266 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Coon Rapids | 82.4% |
| 129 | Eden Prairie | 81.9% |
| 130 | Coeur d'Alene | 81.4% |
| 131 | Anchorage | 81.2% |
| 132 | Meridian | 81.2% |
| 133 | Berwyn | 81.1% |
| 134 | Buffalo | 79.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Anchorage ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Harrisburg | 33.5% |
| 113 | Chesapeake | 33.2% |
| 114 | Lorain | 33.1% |
| 115 | Anchorage | 33.0% |
| 116 | Jersey City | 32.7% |
| 117 | Elgin | 32.6% |
| 118 | Noblesville | 32.6% |
More on Anchorage: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.