Government budget and revenue in Arlington, Texas: official figures
Arlington's city government took in $851.19 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $2,157 for each of its 394,602 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 140th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Arlington spend and on what?
It spent $805.88 million in the same year, $2,042 per resident, the 144th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.1%), sewerage (12.4%) and parks and recreation (10.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Arlington collect per resident?
Taxes raised $438.84 million ($1,112 per resident, the 272nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 59.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Arlington rely on?
Of Arlington's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 43.7%, general sales tax 41.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 12.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Arlington's property tax share is the 210th lowest 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 Arlington get?
Payments from other governments made up 9.2% of Arlington's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 7.1% from the federal government ($133 per resident), 1.6% 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 Arlington raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $187.94 million, 25.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $109.12 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Arlington spend on police?
Arlington's city government spent $129.60 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $328 per resident (the 238th lowest of 582) and 16.1% 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 Arlington spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $65.28 million, $165 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Arlington have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Arlington's city government owed $2.4 billion in long-term debt, $5,997 per resident (the 58th highest of 582). During the year it issued $331.91 million of new long-term debt and repaid $328.63 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Arlington pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $84.36 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 10.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Arlington city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.2% from $1,873 to $2,157, spending per resident rose 28.7% to $2,042, taxes per resident rose 18.2% to $1,112.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Arlington 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))
Arlington ranks 526 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 523 | Euless | $1,896 |
| 524 | Miramar | $1,890 |
| 525 | Las Vegas | $1,875 |
| 526 | Arlington | $1,873 |
| 527 | Rancho Cucamonga | $1,868 |
| 528 | Marysville | $1,867 |
| 529 | Pocatello | $1,864 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 565 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 562 | Troy | $1,595 |
| 563 | Gilbert | $1,590 |
| 564 | Winston-Salem | $1,588 |
| 565 | Arlington | $1,587 |
| 566 | Bethlehem | $1,583 |
| 567 | Fountain Valley | $1,582 |
| 568 | Eden Prairie | $1,577 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 380 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 377 | Enid | $944 |
| 378 | Passaic | $944 |
| 379 | Union City | $942 |
| 380 | Arlington | $941 |
| 381 | Lakewood | $940 |
| 382 | Bellevue | $939 |
| 383 | Pico Rivera | $937 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 482 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 479 | Ann Arbor | $272 |
| 480 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $271 |
| 481 | Gilroy | $270 |
| 482 | Arlington | $269 |
| 483 | Lowell | $269 |
| 484 | Kenner | $269 |
| 485 | Valdosta | $268 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Bridgeport | $6,099 |
| 60 | Lancaster | $6,038 |
| 61 | Richmond | $5,994 |
| 62 | Arlington | $5,964 |
| 63 | Portsmouth | $5,868 |
| 64 | West Sacramento | $5,769 |
| 65 | Columbus | $5,734 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 397 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 394 | San Mateo | 46.3% |
| 395 | Simi Valley | 46.0% |
| 396 | Largo | 45.9% |
| 397 | Arlington | 45.6% |
| 398 | Sarasota | 45.5% |
| 399 | Scranton | 45.5% |
| 400 | West Valley City | 45.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Arlington ranks 610 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 607 | Lafayette | 9.3% |
| 608 | Scranton | 9.3% |
| 609 | Grand Island | 9.3% |
| 610 | Arlington | 9.2% |
| 611 | Menifee | 9.0% |
| 612 | Waco | 9.0% |
| 613 | Fort Lauderdale | 9.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 443 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 440 | North Miami | $2,192 |
| 441 | Irvine | $2,175 |
| 442 | Coeur d'Alene | $2,169 |
| 443 | Arlington | $2,157 |
| 444 | Valdosta | $2,153 |
| 445 | St. Cloud | $2,143 |
| 446 | St. Cloud | $2,143 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 439 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 436 | Sioux City | $2,058 |
| 437 | Conroe | $2,054 |
| 438 | Las Vegas | $2,049 |
| 439 | Arlington | $2,042 |
| 440 | Rowlett | $2,041 |
| 441 | Springfield | $2,040 |
| 442 | Kenosha | $2,036 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 272 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 269 | Richland | $1,114 |
| 270 | Phoenix | $1,113 |
| 271 | Rockville | $1,113 |
| 272 | Arlington | $1,112 |
| 273 | Holly Springs | $1,111 |
| 274 | Omaha | $1,105 |
| 275 | Dubuque | $1,104 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 345 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 342 | Missoula | $329 |
| 343 | Rapid City | $329 |
| 344 | Tigard | $328 |
| 345 | Arlington | $328 |
| 346 | Salem | $328 |
| 347 | Anderson | $328 |
| 348 | Wake Forest | $328 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Yonkers | $6,124 |
| 56 | Lakeland | $6,046 |
| 57 | Berwyn | $6,026 |
| 58 | Arlington | $5,997 |
| 59 | Portsmouth | $5,985 |
| 60 | Roseville | $5,919 |
| 61 | Galveston | $5,849 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 371 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 368 | Pensacola | 44.8% |
| 369 | Bend | 44.3% |
| 370 | La Habra | 43.9% |
| 371 | Arlington | 43.7% |
| 372 | Los Angeles | 43.7% |
| 373 | Lawrence | 43.4% |
| 374 | Springfield | 43.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Arlington ranks 491 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 | Deerfield Beach | 9.3% |
| 489 | Summerville | 9.2% |
| 490 | Hoover | 9.2% |
| 491 | Arlington | 9.2% |
| 492 | Clifton | 9.1% |
| 493 | San Luis Obispo | 9.1% |
| 494 | Minnetonka | 9.1% |
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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.