Government budget and revenue in Appleton, Wisconsin: official figures
Appleton's city government took in $176.42 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,368 for each of its 74,511 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 189th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Appleton spend and on what?
It spent $164.59 million in the same year, $2,209 per resident, the 180th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (16.9%), police (13.2%) and the water utility (9.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Appleton collect per resident?
Taxes raised $62.67 million ($841 per resident, the 149th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 39.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Appleton rely on?
Of Appleton's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 93.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Appleton's property tax share is the 72nd 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 Appleton get?
Payments from other governments made up 29.7% of Appleton's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 4.7% from the federal government ($102 per resident), 15.9% from the state and 9.1% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Appleton raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $33.30 million, 20.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $15.68 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Appleton spend on police?
Appleton's city government spent $21.74 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $292 per resident (the 165th lowest of 582) and 13.2% 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 Appleton spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $14.83 million, $199 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Appleton have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Appleton's city government owed $282.27 million in long-term debt, $3,788 per resident (the 142nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $40.40 million of new long-term debt and repaid $33.33 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Appleton pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $11.01 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 6.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Appleton city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 12.1% from $2,112 to $2,368, spending per resident rose 11.1% to $2,209, taxes per resident rose 9.4% to $841.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Appleton 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))
Appleton ranks 435 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 432 | Lake Charles | $2,135 |
| 433 | Prescott Valley | $2,127 |
| 434 | Montgomery | $2,116 |
| 435 | Appleton | $2,112 |
| 436 | North Miami | $2,112 |
| 437 | Fresno | $2,107 |
| 438 | Port St. Lucie | $2,102 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Amarillo | $1,996 |
| 418 | Eau Claire | $1,994 |
| 419 | Boise City | $1,990 |
| 420 | Appleton | $1,988 |
| 421 | Largo | $1,986 |
| 422 | Sioux Falls | $1,986 |
| 423 | Plantation | $1,985 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 542 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Porterville | $771 |
| 540 | Reading | $771 |
| 541 | Largo | $770 |
| 542 | Appleton | $769 |
| 543 | Santa Clarita | $769 |
| 544 | Lincoln | $768 |
| 545 | Cape Coral | $765 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 491 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 | Broken Arrow | $268 |
| 489 | Colorado Springs | $267 |
| 490 | Bellevue | $267 |
| 491 | Appleton | $266 |
| 492 | Huntsville | $266 |
| 493 | Carmel | $265 |
| 494 | Newton | $265 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Vineland | $3,829 |
| 141 | Lodi | $3,829 |
| 142 | Cedar Rapids | $3,820 |
| 143 | Appleton | $3,808 |
| 144 | Mount Prospect | $3,802 |
| 145 | Waltham | $3,798 |
| 146 | Cathedral City | $3,797 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 85 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Jersey City | 93.6% |
| 83 | Pocatello | 93.6% |
| 84 | Royal Oak | 93.5% |
| 85 | Appleton | 93.4% |
| 86 | Milwaukee | 93.3% |
| 87 | Elizabeth | 93.1% |
| 88 | Kenosha | 93.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Appleton ranks 128 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Palatine | 32.8% |
| 126 | Oak Park | 32.6% |
| 127 | Chattanooga | 32.6% |
| 128 | Appleton | 32.3% |
| 129 | St. Paul | 32.3% |
| 130 | Noblesville | 32.3% |
| 131 | Virginia Beach | 32.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 394 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | Frederick | $2,372 |
| 392 | Pflugerville | $2,372 |
| 393 | Albuquerque | $2,368 |
| 394 | Appleton | $2,368 |
| 395 | Bend | $2,367 |
| 396 | Mount Pleasant | $2,366 |
| 397 | Sanford | $2,363 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 403 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Rockville | $2,225 |
| 401 | Skokie | $2,223 |
| 402 | Green Bay | $2,217 |
| 403 | Appleton | $2,209 |
| 404 | Corvallis | $2,208 |
| 405 | Chandler | $2,205 |
| 406 | Modesto | $2,195 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 434 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 431 | Victorville | $844 |
| 432 | Greenwood | $843 |
| 433 | Gallatin | $842 |
| 434 | Appleton | $841 |
| 435 | West New York | $841 |
| 436 | Bozeman | $839 |
| 437 | Peoria | $839 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 418 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 415 | Franklin | $293 |
| 416 | Santee | $292 |
| 417 | Terre Haute | $292 |
| 418 | Appleton | $292 |
| 419 | Framingham | $292 |
| 420 | Lorain | $291 |
| 421 | Garland | $290 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 142 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 139 | Greensboro | $3,816 |
| 140 | Sherman | $3,802 |
| 141 | Des Moines | $3,796 |
| 142 | Appleton | $3,788 |
| 143 | Laredo | $3,764 |
| 144 | Newton | $3,763 |
| 145 | Virginia Beach | $3,759 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 72 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Royal Oak | 94.2% |
| 70 | Racine | 94.2% |
| 71 | Peabody | 93.8% |
| 72 | Appleton | 93.7% |
| 73 | Anderson | 93.7% |
| 74 | Pocatello | 93.6% |
| 75 | Oshkosh | 93.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Appleton ranks 144 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | Manhattan | 30.6% |
| 142 | Oak Lawn | 30.6% |
| 143 | Chandler | 30.1% |
| 144 | Appleton | 29.7% |
| 145 | Reno | 29.5% |
| 146 | Carson City | 29.4% |
| 147 | La Crosse | 29.3% |
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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.