Government budget and revenue in Athens, Georgia: official figures
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government took in $483.16 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,758 for each of its 128,561 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 172nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Athens spend and on what?
It spent $395.81 million in the same year, $3,079 per resident, the 229th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (9.9%), parks and recreation (6.0%) and roads and highways (6.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Athens collect per resident?
Taxes raised $134.06 million ($1,043 per resident, the 277th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 29.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Athens rely on?
Of Athens' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 73.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 22.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Athens' property tax share is the 150th 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 Athens get?
Payments from other governments made up 33.6% of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.2% from the federal government ($185 per resident), 2.3% from the state and 26.2% 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 Athens raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $129.48 million, 28.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $21.55 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Athens spend on police?
The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government spent $39.11 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $304 per resident (the 196th lowest of 582) and 9.9% 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 Athens spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $18.79 million, $146 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Athens have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government owed $494.96 million in long-term debt, $3,850 per resident (the 135th highest of 582). During the year it issued $55.98 million of new long-term debt and repaid $21.54 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Athens pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $33.22 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 8.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Athens city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 33.3% from $2,819 to $3,758, spending per resident rose 24.5% to $3,079, taxes per resident rose 17.9% to $1,043.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Athens 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))
Athens ranks 257 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 254 | Victorville | $2,861 |
| 255 | St. Cloud | $2,853 |
| 256 | Everett | $2,849 |
| 257 | Athens | $2,819 |
| 258 | Corona | $2,815 |
| 259 | Elizabeth | $2,791 |
| 260 | South Jordan | $2,791 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Ann Arbor | $2,481 |
| 302 | Provo | $2,479 |
| 303 | Woodland | $2,477 |
| 304 | Athens | $2,473 |
| 305 | Pico Rivera | $2,471 |
| 306 | Boulder | $2,464 |
| 307 | Racine | $2,454 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 436 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 433 | Albuquerque | $887 |
| 434 | West Haven | $886 |
| 435 | Harlingen | $885 |
| 436 | Athens | $884 |
| 437 | Chandler | $884 |
| 438 | Davie | $883 |
| 439 | Doral | $883 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 553 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 550 | West Valley City | $247 |
| 551 | Port St. Lucie | $245 |
| 552 | Richland | $245 |
| 553 | Athens | $245 |
| 554 | Gresham | $245 |
| 555 | Middletown | $245 |
| 556 | Spokane Valley | $244 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 191 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 188 | Winston-Salem | $3,324 |
| 189 | Franklin | $3,323 |
| 190 | Hampton | $3,321 |
| 191 | Athens | $3,319 |
| 192 | St. Petersburg | $3,310 |
| 193 | Folsom | $3,268 |
| 194 | Des Moines | $3,267 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 166 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | Portsmouth | 71.9% |
| 164 | Newport News | 71.6% |
| 165 | Cape Coral | 71.5% |
| 166 | Athens | 71.5% |
| 167 | Macon-Bibb County | 71.3% |
| 168 | Boynton Beach | 71.3% |
| 169 | Mount Prospect | 71.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Athens ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | New Orleans | 41.0% |
| 63 | Manchester | 40.8% |
| 64 | Pensacola | 40.5% |
| 65 | Athens | 39.9% |
| 66 | Schenectady | 39.9% |
| 67 | Hampton | 39.6% |
| 68 | Peoria | 39.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 172 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | San Jose | $3,799 |
| 170 | Bowling Green | $3,792 |
| 171 | Hollywood | $3,785 |
| 172 | Athens | $3,758 |
| 173 | Elkhart | $3,739 |
| 174 | Garland | $3,735 |
| 175 | Sunrise | $3,719 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 229 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 226 | Pembroke Pines | $3,111 |
| 227 | Dearborn | $3,102 |
| 228 | Fresno | $3,081 |
| 229 | Athens | $3,079 |
| 230 | Medford | $3,068 |
| 231 | Westminster | $3,061 |
| 232 | Dubuque | $3,060 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 306 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | El Paso | $1,054 |
| 304 | Riverside | $1,050 |
| 305 | New Braunfels | $1,047 |
| 306 | Athens | $1,043 |
| 307 | Ocala | $1,043 |
| 308 | Corvallis | $1,038 |
| 309 | Murrieta | $1,038 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 387 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 384 | Pasco | $307 |
| 385 | Broken Arrow | $306 |
| 386 | Warwick | $306 |
| 387 | Athens | $304 |
| 388 | Somerville | $304 |
| 389 | Burnsville | $303 |
| 390 | Midwest City | $302 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 135 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | Oklahoma City | $3,869 |
| 133 | Corona | $3,863 |
| 134 | San Jose | $3,862 |
| 135 | Athens | $3,850 |
| 136 | Chula Vista | $3,834 |
| 137 | Revere | $3,832 |
| 138 | Manchester | $3,827 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 150 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 147 | Newport News | 74.7% |
| 148 | Mountain View | 74.6% |
| 149 | Hollywood | 74.2% |
| 150 | Athens | 73.2% |
| 151 | Palm Coast | 73.2% |
| 152 | Richmond | 73.1% |
| 153 | Rowlett | 73.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Athens ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Peabody | 34.0% |
| 109 | Philadelphia | 33.8% |
| 110 | Wheaton | 33.7% |
| 111 | Athens | 33.6% |
| 112 | Harrisburg | 33.5% |
| 113 | Chesapeake | 33.2% |
| 114 | Lorain | 33.1% |
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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.