Government budget and revenue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: official figures
Bethlehem's city government took in $158.22 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,038 for each of its 77,617 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 109th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Bethlehem spend and on what?
It spent $135.34 million in the same year, $1,744 per resident, the 83rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (13.2%), the water utility (9.3%) and financial administration (9.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Bethlehem collect per resident?
Taxes raised $56.62 million ($730 per resident, the 94th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 43.3% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Bethlehem rely on?
Of Bethlehem's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 58.1%, individual income tax 20.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Bethlehem's property tax share is the 263rd 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 Bethlehem get?
Payments from other governments made up 26.0% of Bethlehem's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 7.3% from the federal government ($123 per resident), 18.0% from the state and 0.7% 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 Bethlehem raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.87 million, 28.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $27.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bethlehem spend on police?
Bethlehem's city government spent $17.89 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $230 per resident (the 70th lowest of 582) and 13.2% 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 Bethlehem spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $10.25 million, $132 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Bethlehem have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Bethlehem's city government owed $162.68 million in long-term debt, $2,096 per resident (the 279th lowest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bethlehem pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $10.31 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 7.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Bethlehem city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 11.8% from $1,823 to $2,038, spending per resident rose 10.2% to $1,744, taxes per resident rose 5.7% to $730.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Bethlehem 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))
Bethlehem ranks 542 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Wylie | $1,831 |
| 540 | Arlington Heights | $1,830 |
| 541 | Ankeny | $1,825 |
| 542 | Bethlehem | $1,823 |
| 543 | Pasco | $1,822 |
| 544 | Omaha | $1,822 |
| 545 | North Richland Hills | $1,822 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 566 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 563 | Gilbert | $1,590 |
| 564 | Winston-Salem | $1,588 |
| 565 | Arlington | $1,587 |
| 566 | Bethlehem | $1,583 |
| 567 | Fountain Valley | $1,582 |
| 568 | Eden Prairie | $1,577 |
| 569 | Fontana | $1,576 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 599 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 596 | Smyrna | $695 |
| 597 | Coconut Creek | $695 |
| 598 | Fullerton | $693 |
| 599 | Bethlehem | $690 |
| 600 | Greenwood | $689 |
| 601 | Lancaster | $687 |
| 602 | Merced | $686 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 636 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 633 | Huntersville | $211 |
| 634 | Framingham | $210 |
| 635 | Coon Rapids | $210 |
| 636 | Bethlehem | $210 |
| 637 | Carrollton | $210 |
| 638 | Fulshear | $210 |
| 639 | Clarksville | $210 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 272 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 269 | Olathe | $2,555 |
| 270 | Springdale | $2,554 |
| 271 | Orange | $2,550 |
| 272 | Bethlehem | $2,548 |
| 273 | Bismarck | $2,545 |
| 274 | Mountain View | $2,539 |
| 275 | New Bedford | $2,525 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 248 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Pleasanton | 62.7% |
| 246 | Highland | 62.6% |
| 247 | Corvallis | 62.3% |
| 248 | Bethlehem | 62.1% |
| 249 | Leander | 61.8% |
| 250 | Nashville | 61.7% |
| 251 | Gastonia | 61.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bethlehem ranks 269 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 266 | San Antonio | 21.6% |
| 267 | Fullerton | 21.5% |
| 268 | Goodyear | 21.4% |
| 269 | Bethlehem | 21.4% |
| 270 | Vista | 21.4% |
| 271 | Missoula | 21.3% |
| 272 | Inglewood | 21.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 474 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 471 | Chico | $2,045 |
| 472 | Yakima | $2,042 |
| 473 | Roswell | $2,042 |
| 474 | Bethlehem | $2,038 |
| 475 | Erie | $2,036 |
| 476 | Utica | $2,034 |
| 477 | Carrollton | $2,024 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 497 | Midwest City | $1,760 |
| 498 | Pontiac | $1,754 |
| 499 | Port St. Lucie | $1,744 |
| 500 | Bethlehem | $1,744 |
| 501 | Southaven | $1,738 |
| 502 | Livonia | $1,737 |
| 503 | Allentown | $1,730 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 489 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 486 | Smyrna | $736 |
| 487 | Pontiac | $731 |
| 488 | O'Fallon | $730 |
| 489 | Bethlehem | $730 |
| 490 | Plymouth | $727 |
| 491 | Santa Clarita | $726 |
| 492 | Goose Creek | $725 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem 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 | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | League City | $232 |
| 511 | Macon-Bibb County | $231 |
| 512 | Auburn | $231 |
| 513 | Bethlehem | $230 |
| 514 | O'Fallon | $229 |
| 515 | McKinney | $228 |
| 516 | Enid | $228 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Huntington Beach | $2,113 |
| 302 | Pittsburg | $2,110 |
| 303 | Alpharetta | $2,109 |
| 304 | Bethlehem | $2,096 |
| 305 | Glendale | $2,085 |
| 306 | Holly Springs | $2,083 |
| 307 | Grand Junction | $2,083 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 263 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 260 | Fort Worth | 58.6% |
| 261 | Pembroke Pines | 58.6% |
| 262 | Alpharetta | 58.3% |
| 263 | Bethlehem | 58.1% |
| 264 | Harrisonburg | 57.7% |
| 265 | Houston | 57.5% |
| 266 | Columbus | 57.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bethlehem ranks 180 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 177 | Warwick | 26.4% |
| 178 | Gresham | 26.3% |
| 179 | Lancaster | 26.2% |
| 180 | Bethlehem | 26.0% |
| 181 | Gainesville | 25.9% |
| 182 | Nashua | 25.9% |
| 183 | Smyrna | 25.8% |
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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.