Government budget and revenue in Aurora, Colorado: official figures
Aurora's city government took in $1.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,799 for each of its 393,537 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 286th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Aurora spend and on what?
It spent $1.2 billion in the same year, $3,002 per resident, the 243rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (19.1%), police (12.7%) and roads and highways (12.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Aurora collect per resident?
Taxes raised $624.20 million ($1,586 per resident, the 125th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 64.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Aurora rely on?
Of Aurora's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 20.8%, general sales tax 63.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Aurora's property tax share is the 69th 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 Aurora get?
Payments from other governments made up 8.0% of Aurora's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 1.3% from the federal government ($32 per resident), 4.1% from the state and 2.6% 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 Aurora raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $100.74 million, 10.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $128.51 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Aurora spend on police?
Aurora's city government spent $149.46 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $380 per resident (the 251st highest of 582) and 12.7% 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 Aurora spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $82.71 million, $210 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Aurora have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Aurora's city government owed $851.56 million in long-term debt, $2,164 per resident (the 284th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $43.78 million of new long-term debt and repaid $32.71 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Aurora pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $31.41 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Aurora city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.0% from $2,435 to $2,799, spending per resident rose 23.0% to $3,002, taxes per resident rose 10.7% to $1,586.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Aurora 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))
Aurora ranks 346 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 343 | Oxnard | $2,439 |
| 344 | Passaic | $2,437 |
| 345 | Lincoln | $2,435 |
| 346 | Aurora | $2,435 |
| 347 | Thornton | $2,432 |
| 348 | Fort Smith | $2,432 |
| 349 | St. Petersburg | $2,429 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 309 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 306 | Boulder | $2,464 |
| 307 | Racine | $2,454 |
| 308 | Grand Prairie | $2,443 |
| 309 | Aurora | $2,441 |
| 310 | Livermore | $2,441 |
| 311 | Hoboken | $2,441 |
| 312 | Greensboro | $2,434 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 157 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 154 | Dothan | $1,447 |
| 155 | South Jordan | $1,445 |
| 156 | Fort Lauderdale | $1,439 |
| 157 | Aurora | $1,433 |
| 158 | Hillsboro | $1,415 |
| 159 | Carmel | $1,412 |
| 160 | Kirkland | $1,404 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 328 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | Lynchburg | $329 |
| 326 | Bartlett | $329 |
| 327 | Lenexa | $329 |
| 328 | Aurora | $329 |
| 329 | Bellevue | $328 |
| 330 | Edmond | $328 |
| 331 | Portsmouth | $327 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 334 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 331 | Boynton Beach | $2,192 |
| 332 | Tracy | $2,179 |
| 333 | Stillwater | $2,169 |
| 334 | Aurora | $2,162 |
| 335 | Sandy Springs | $2,151 |
| 336 | Gilroy | $2,145 |
| 337 | Daytona Beach | $2,140 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 636 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 633 | Kent | 22.2% |
| 634 | National City | 22.2% |
| 635 | Bellingham | 22.1% |
| 636 | Aurora | 22.1% |
| 637 | Owensboro | 21.6% |
| 638 | Santa Maria | 21.5% |
| 639 | San Leandro | 21.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Aurora ranks 624 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 621 | St. Louis Park | 8.7% |
| 622 | Huntsville | 8.6% |
| 623 | Topeka | 8.6% |
| 624 | Aurora | 8.6% |
| 625 | Carson City | 8.6% |
| 626 | West Sacramento | 8.5% |
| 627 | Milpitas | 8.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 297 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 294 | Lebanon | $2,813 |
| 295 | Racine | $2,806 |
| 296 | Lee's Summit | $2,806 |
| 297 | Aurora | $2,799 |
| 298 | Winter Haven | $2,798 |
| 299 | Des Plaines | $2,790 |
| 300 | Greensboro | $2,782 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 243 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 240 | Bismarck | $3,010 |
| 241 | Jersey City | $3,009 |
| 242 | Bloomington | $3,005 |
| 243 | Aurora | $3,002 |
| 244 | Vineland | $3,002 |
| 245 | Huntington Beach | $2,996 |
| 246 | Kirkland | $2,983 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 125 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Bossier City | $1,599 |
| 123 | New Brunswick | $1,598 |
| 124 | Akron | $1,591 |
| 125 | Aurora | $1,586 |
| 126 | Dothan | $1,579 |
| 127 | Elizabeth | $1,559 |
| 128 | Mishawaka | $1,554 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 248 | Homestead | $381 |
| 249 | Kissimmee | $381 |
| 250 | Alpharetta | $380 |
| 251 | Aurora | $380 |
| 252 | St. Charles | $379 |
| 253 | North Port | $378 |
| 254 | Norfolk | $377 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 299 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 296 | Boulder | $2,202 |
| 297 | Columbus | $2,196 |
| 298 | Billings | $2,173 |
| 299 | Aurora | $2,164 |
| 300 | Frederick | $2,119 |
| 301 | Huntington Beach | $2,113 |
| 302 | Pittsburg | $2,110 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 512 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 509 | Kennewick | 21.2% |
| 510 | North Little Rock | 21.1% |
| 511 | Santa Monica | 21.1% |
| 512 | Aurora | 20.8% |
| 513 | Pasco | 20.7% |
| 514 | Tracy | 20.3% |
| 515 | Owensboro | 20.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Aurora ranks 513 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Tacoma | 8.2% |
| 511 | Edina | 8.1% |
| 512 | Huntington Beach | 8.0% |
| 513 | Aurora | 8.0% |
| 514 | Holly Springs | 8.0% |
| 515 | Auburn | 8.0% |
| 516 | Watsonville | 7.9% |
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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.