Government budget and revenue in Berkeley, California: official figures
Berkeley's city government took in $588.11 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $4,944 for each of its 118,950 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 103rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Berkeley spend and on what?
It spent $574.27 million in the same year, $4,828 per resident, the 110th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (15.9%), public health (11.1%) and solid waste (9.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Berkeley collect per resident?
Taxes raised $250.08 million ($2,102 per resident, the 69th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 42.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Berkeley rely on?
Of Berkeley's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 51.5%, general sales tax 11.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Berkeley's property tax share is the 255th 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 Berkeley get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.1% of Berkeley's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 4.0% from the federal government ($197 per resident), 6.5% from the state and 0.6% 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 Berkeley raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $226.91 million, 38.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Berkeley spend on police?
Berkeley's city government spent $91.45 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $769 per resident (the 28th highest of 582) and 15.9% 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 Berkeley spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $47.34 million, $398 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Berkeley have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Berkeley's city government owed $325.68 million in long-term debt, $2,738 per resident (the 229th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $31.16 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Berkeley pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $14.27 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Berkeley city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 3.4% from $4,782 to $4,944, spending per resident rose 13.5% to $4,828, taxes per resident fell 0.6% to $2,102.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Berkeley 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))
Berkeley ranks 91 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Oakland | $4,895 |
| 89 | Decatur | $4,849 |
| 90 | Warwick | $4,804 |
| 91 | Berkeley | $4,782 |
| 92 | Virginia Beach | $4,759 |
| 93 | Hampton | $4,699 |
| 94 | Chesapeake | $4,688 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 118 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 115 | Pawtucket | $4,332 |
| 116 | Haverhill | $4,326 |
| 117 | Fort Collins | $4,260 |
| 118 | Berkeley | $4,254 |
| 119 | Alameda | $4,245 |
| 120 | Kansas City | $4,223 |
| 121 | Eugene | $4,194 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 64 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Methuen | $2,167 |
| 62 | Huntsville | $2,164 |
| 63 | San Luis Obispo | $2,161 |
| 64 | Berkeley | $2,115 |
| 65 | South San Francisco | $2,111 |
| 66 | Providence | $2,094 |
| 67 | Lafayette | $2,094 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | New York | $711 |
| 19 | White Plains | $701 |
| 20 | Fort Lauderdale | $699 |
| 21 | Berkeley | $698 |
| 22 | Palo Alto | $681 |
| 23 | South San Francisco | $679 |
| 24 | Baton Rouge | $673 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 227 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 224 | Torrance | $2,911 |
| 225 | Green Bay | $2,909 |
| 226 | Carson City | $2,906 |
| 227 | Berkeley | $2,897 |
| 228 | Baytown | $2,888 |
| 229 | Burleson | $2,865 |
| 230 | Royal Oak | $2,864 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 438 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 435 | Upland | 41.4% |
| 436 | La Habra | 41.0% |
| 437 | Joliet | 40.9% |
| 438 | Berkeley | 40.8% |
| 439 | Sherman | 40.7% |
| 440 | Peoria | 40.7% |
| 441 | West Jordan | 40.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Berkeley ranks 446 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 443 | Urban Honolulu | 15.0% |
| 444 | Jeffersonville | 15.0% |
| 445 | Lakewood | 14.9% |
| 446 | Berkeley | 14.9% |
| 447 | Marysville | 14.9% |
| 448 | Miami Gardens | 14.9% |
| 449 | Sioux Falls | 14.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 103 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Oakland | $5,100 |
| 101 | Lynchburg | $4,993 |
| 102 | Warwick | $4,957 |
| 103 | Berkeley | $4,944 |
| 104 | San Antonio | $4,922 |
| 105 | Decatur | $4,898 |
| 106 | Fort Pierce | $4,888 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 110 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 107 | Bryan | $4,919 |
| 108 | Eugene | $4,908 |
| 109 | Duluth | $4,873 |
| 110 | Berkeley | $4,828 |
| 111 | Fort Lauderdale | $4,825 |
| 112 | Kingsport | $4,763 |
| 113 | Pensacola | $4,759 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 69 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Mobile | $2,146 |
| 67 | Portland | $2,139 |
| 68 | Santa Barbara | $2,104 |
| 69 | Berkeley | $2,102 |
| 70 | Boca Raton | $2,090 |
| 71 | New Orleans | $2,090 |
| 72 | Haverhill | $2,084 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 28 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | White Plains | $778 |
| 26 | Richmond | $776 |
| 27 | Berwyn | $770 |
| 28 | Berkeley | $769 |
| 29 | Evanston | $766 |
| 30 | Baton Rouge | $755 |
| 31 | Miami | $748 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley 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 long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 226 | Lawrence | $2,763 |
| 227 | Leander | $2,755 |
| 228 | Palatine | $2,751 |
| 229 | Berkeley | $2,738 |
| 230 | Waterloo | $2,735 |
| 231 | Wilmington | $2,719 |
| 232 | Bismarck | $2,718 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 326 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 323 | Fort Myers | 51.9% |
| 324 | Brownsville | 51.6% |
| 325 | Erie | 51.5% |
| 326 | Berkeley | 51.5% |
| 327 | Nashville | 51.5% |
| 328 | Corpus Christi | 51.4% |
| 329 | Portland | 51.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Berkeley ranks 435 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 432 | Bakersfield | 11.4% |
| 433 | Millcreek | 11.2% |
| 434 | Federal Way | 11.2% |
| 435 | Berkeley | 11.1% |
| 436 | Urban Honolulu | 11.1% |
| 437 | Woodbury | 11.1% |
| 438 | Frederick | 11.1% |
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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.