Government budget and revenue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana: official figures
Baton Rouge's city government took in $1.7 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $7,748 for each of its 221,453 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 27th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Baton Rouge spend and on what?
It spent $1.4 billion in the same year, $6,268 per resident, the 63rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (12.0%), hospitals (9.3%) and public health (8.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Baton Rouge collect per resident?
Taxes raised $746.51 million ($3,371 per resident, the 15th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 43.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Baton Rouge rely on?
Of Baton Rouge's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 30.2%, general sales tax 64.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 2.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Baton Rouge's property tax share is the 123rd 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 Baton Rouge get?
Payments from other governments made up 17.1% of Baton Rouge's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 9.3% from the federal government ($715 per resident), 7.4% 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 Baton Rouge raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $635.17 million, 37.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Baton Rouge spend on police?
Baton Rouge's city government spent $167.13 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $755 per resident (the 30th highest of 582) and 12.0% 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 Baton Rouge spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $78.25 million, $353 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Baton Rouge have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Baton Rouge's city government owed $1.9 billion in long-term debt, $8,476 per resident (the 27th highest of 582). During the year it issued $41.10 million of new long-term debt and repaid $60.35 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Baton Rouge pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $65.09 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 4.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Baton Rouge city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 9.9% from $7,049 to $7,748, spending per resident rose 13.7% to $6,268, taxes per resident rose 8.4% to $3,371.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Baton Rouge 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))
Baton Rouge ranks 18 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Richmond | $7,394 |
| 16 | Rochester | $7,173 |
| 17 | Springfield | $7,088 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $7,049 |
| 19 | Newton | $7,010 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $6,996 |
| 21 | Denver | $6,871 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Barnstable Town | $5,626 |
| 68 | Bridgeport | $5,624 |
| 69 | Ames | $5,606 |
| 70 | Baton Rouge | $5,512 |
| 71 | Revere | $5,460 |
| 72 | Lawrence | $5,453 |
| 73 | Portsmouth | $5,391 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 18 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Barnstable Town | $3,360 |
| 16 | Baltimore | $3,307 |
| 17 | Mountain View | $3,159 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $3,110 |
| 19 | Warwick | $3,067 |
| 20 | Portland | $3,019 |
| 21 | Everett | $2,989 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 24 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Berkeley | $698 |
| 22 | Palo Alto | $681 |
| 23 | South San Francisco | $679 |
| 24 | Baton Rouge | $673 |
| 25 | Orlando | $662 |
| 26 | Pasadena | $653 |
| 27 | Fort Myers | $640 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Kansas City | $9,151 |
| 18 | Quincy | $9,035 |
| 19 | Waukesha | $8,895 |
| 20 | Baton Rouge | $8,842 |
| 21 | Chicago | $8,649 |
| 22 | Tacoma | $8,614 |
| 23 | Oshkosh | $8,504 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 477 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 474 | Milpitas | 37.7% |
| 475 | Grand Rapids | 37.5% |
| 476 | Bothell | 37.4% |
| 477 | Baton Rouge | 37.3% |
| 478 | Union City | 37.2% |
| 479 | Lee's Summit | 37.2% |
| 480 | Grand Forks | 37.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Baton Rouge ranks 466 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 463 | Wilmington | 14.3% |
| 464 | Salt Lake City | 14.2% |
| 465 | Middletown | 14.2% |
| 466 | Baton Rouge | 14.2% |
| 467 | Fountain Valley | 14.2% |
| 468 | Clovis | 14.1% |
| 469 | Folsom | 14.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Alexandria | $7,908 |
| 25 | Portland | $7,889 |
| 26 | Lansing | $7,803 |
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $7,748 |
| 28 | Kissimmee | $7,595 |
| 29 | Grand Island | $7,505 |
| 30 | Springfield | $7,287 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 63 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
| 61 | Portsmouth | $6,277 |
| 62 | Ames | $6,272 |
| 63 | Baton Rouge | $6,268 |
| 64 | Roseville | $6,264 |
| 65 | Lakeland | $6,222 |
| 66 | Anchorage | $6,210 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Portland | $3,630 |
| 13 | Mountain View | $3,609 |
| 14 | Somerville | $3,476 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | $3,371 |
| 16 | Richmond | $3,365 |
| 17 | Philadelphia | $3,338 |
| 18 | Denver | $3,331 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Berwyn | $770 |
| 28 | Berkeley | $769 |
| 29 | Evanston | $766 |
| 30 | Baton Rouge | $755 |
| 31 | Miami | $748 |
| 32 | Delray Beach | $707 |
| 33 | Redwood City | $703 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Anaheim | $9,027 |
| 25 | Queen Creek | $8,644 |
| 26 | Richmond | $8,569 |
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $8,476 |
| 28 | Carmel | $8,425 |
| 29 | Cleveland | $8,273 |
| 30 | Rock Hill | $8,102 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Olympia | 30.5% |
| 456 | Pittsburgh | 30.5% |
| 457 | Fargo | 30.5% |
| 458 | Baton Rouge | 30.2% |
| 459 | Maricopa | 30.0% |
| 460 | Everett | 29.7% |
| 461 | Washington | 29.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Baton Rouge ranks 313 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 310 | Des Moines | 17.3% |
| 311 | Brookhaven | 17.3% |
| 312 | Everett | 17.3% |
| 313 | Baton Rouge | 17.1% |
| 314 | Chico | 17.0% |
| 315 | Novi | 17.0% |
| 316 | Salinas | 16.9% |
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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.