Government budget and revenue in Bellingham, Washington: official figures
Bellingham's city government took in $289.23 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,080 for each of its 93,896 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 253rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Bellingham spend and on what?
It spent $274.37 million in the same year, $2,922 per resident, the 253rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (17.4%), fire protection (11.7%) and police (10.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Bellingham collect per resident?
Taxes raised $138.28 million ($1,473 per resident, the 143rd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 54.3% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Bellingham rely on?
Of Bellingham's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 21.4%, general sales tax 37.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 19.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Bellingham's property tax share is the 74th 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 Bellingham get?
Payments from other governments made up 8.4% of Bellingham's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 2.3% from the federal government ($61 per resident), 5.1% from the state and 1.0% 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 Bellingham raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $78.02 million, 30.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $34.43 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bellingham spend on police?
Bellingham's city government spent $30.03 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $320 per resident (the 219th lowest of 582) and 10.9% 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 Bellingham spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $32.10 million, $342 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Bellingham have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Bellingham's city government owed $91.36 million in long-term debt, $973 per resident (the 135th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $6.01 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bellingham pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.45 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 0.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Bellingham city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.5% from $2,666 to $3,080, spending per resident rose 35.0% to $2,922, taxes per resident rose 8.2% to $1,473.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Bellingham 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))
Bellingham ranks 296 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | Mobile | $2,680 |
| 294 | San Rafael | $2,677 |
| 295 | Renton | $2,673 |
| 296 | Bellingham | $2,666 |
| 297 | Grand Rapids | $2,660 |
| 298 | Stockton | $2,650 |
| 299 | Oklahoma City | $2,649 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 375 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 372 | Chino Hills | $2,175 |
| 373 | Huntington Beach | $2,174 |
| 374 | Commerce City | $2,169 |
| 375 | Bellingham | $2,164 |
| 376 | Melbourne | $2,162 |
| 377 | Green Bay | $2,154 |
| 378 | Rockford | $2,146 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 172 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | Evanston | $1,370 |
| 170 | Rapid City | $1,362 |
| 171 | Oklahoma City | $1,361 |
| 172 | Bellingham | $1,361 |
| 173 | Encinitas | $1,360 |
| 174 | Costa Mesa | $1,359 |
| 175 | Redlands | $1,358 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 512 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 509 | Lawrence | $260 |
| 510 | Springfield | $260 |
| 511 | Weston | $260 |
| 512 | Bellingham | $259 |
| 513 | Burnsville | $259 |
| 514 | Augusta | $259 |
| 515 | Westland | $258 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 520 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 517 | Burbank | $1,115 |
| 518 | North Little Rock | $1,113 |
| 519 | Rocklin | $1,113 |
| 520 | Bellingham | $1,105 |
| 521 | San Clemente | $1,097 |
| 522 | Harlingen | $1,092 |
| 523 | Bloomington | $1,091 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 635 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 632 | Hawthorne | 22.3% |
| 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% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bellingham ranks 488 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 485 | Boca Raton | 13.4% |
| 486 | Mishawaka | 13.3% |
| 487 | Maple Grove | 13.3% |
| 488 | Bellingham | 13.3% |
| 489 | Wylie | 13.3% |
| 490 | Eden Prairie | 13.2% |
| 491 | Riverside | 13.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Grand Junction | $3,095 |
| 251 | Spokane | $3,088 |
| 252 | Victorville | $3,086 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $3,080 |
| 254 | Minneapolis | $3,077 |
| 255 | Sacramento | $3,061 |
| 256 | Redlands | $3,051 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Little Rock | $2,957 |
| 251 | Carlsbad | $2,931 |
| 252 | Pittsburgh | $2,931 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $2,922 |
| 254 | Southfield | $2,920 |
| 255 | Stillwater | $2,920 |
| 256 | Pleasanton | $2,906 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Collierville | $1,491 |
| 141 | North Little Rock | $1,487 |
| 142 | Bowling Green | $1,487 |
| 143 | Bellingham | $1,473 |
| 144 | Bothell | $1,459 |
| 145 | Thornton | $1,458 |
| 146 | Columbus | $1,455 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 364 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 361 | Sterling Heights | $320 |
| 362 | Bellevue | $320 |
| 363 | Edina | $320 |
| 364 | Bellingham | $320 |
| 365 | Passaic | $319 |
| 366 | Fayetteville | $317 |
| 367 | Eden Prairie | $317 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 448 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 445 | Concord | $1,007 |
| 446 | Wheaton | $989 |
| 447 | North Little Rock | $988 |
| 448 | Bellingham | $973 |
| 449 | Millcreek | $972 |
| 450 | Vacaville | $948 |
| 451 | Santa Clarita | $935 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 507 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 504 | Buckeye | 22.1% |
| 505 | Spokane Valley | 22.0% |
| 506 | Anaheim | 21.9% |
| 507 | Bellingham | 21.4% |
| 508 | San Luis Obispo | 21.3% |
| 509 | Kennewick | 21.2% |
| 510 | North Little Rock | 21.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bellingham ranks 508 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 505 | Huntersville | 8.5% |
| 506 | Middletown | 8.5% |
| 507 | Rancho Cordova | 8.5% |
| 508 | Bellingham | 8.4% |
| 509 | Santa Clara | 8.2% |
| 510 | Tacoma | 8.2% |
| 511 | Edina | 8.1% |
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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.