Government budget and revenue in Birmingham, Alabama: official figures
Birmingham's city government took in $902.05 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $4,581 for each of its 196,910 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 120th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Birmingham spend and on what?
It spent $779.77 million in the same year, $3,960 per resident, the 154th 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 (21.0%), police (14.0%) and fire protection (11.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Birmingham collect per resident?
Taxes raised $554.12 million ($2,814 per resident, the 28th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 79.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Birmingham rely on?
Of Birmingham's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 17.4%, general sales tax 39.9%, individual income tax 21.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Birmingham's property tax share is the 53rd 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 Birmingham get?
Payments from other governments made up 9.8% of Birmingham's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.3% from the federal government ($187 per resident), 3.1% from the state and 1.4% 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 Birmingham raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $22.19 million, 3.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $207.47 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Birmingham spend on police?
Birmingham's city government spent $109.47 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $556 per resident (the 75th highest of 582) and 14.0% 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 Birmingham spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $88.67 million, $450 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Birmingham have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Birmingham's city government owed $706.26 million in long-term debt, $3,587 per resident (the 156th highest of 582). During the year it issued $24.32 million of new long-term debt and repaid $470.89 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Birmingham pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $45.53 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Birmingham city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 10.7% from $4,140 to $4,581, spending per resident rose 12.6% to $3,960, taxes per resident rose 16.2% to $2,814.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Birmingham 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))
Birmingham ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Greenville | $4,155 |
| 129 | Newport Beach | $4,147 |
| 130 | Collierville | $4,143 |
| 131 | Birmingham | $4,140 |
| 132 | Danbury | $4,139 |
| 133 | Santa Fe | $4,130 |
| 134 | Detroit | $4,112 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 175 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 172 | Vineland | $3,538 |
| 173 | Tampa | $3,525 |
| 174 | Bartlett | $3,520 |
| 175 | Birmingham | $3,518 |
| 176 | Duluth | $3,480 |
| 177 | Clearwater | $3,472 |
| 178 | Evansville | $3,461 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 42 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Peabody | $2,429 |
| 40 | White Plains | $2,427 |
| 41 | Celina | $2,425 |
| 42 | Birmingham | $2,422 |
| 43 | Suffolk | $2,416 |
| 44 | Bridgeport | $2,409 |
| 45 | New Haven | $2,408 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | San Rafael | $536 |
| 63 | Santa Barbara | $535 |
| 64 | Milpitas | $534 |
| 65 | Birmingham | $528 |
| 66 | Milwaukee | $528 |
| 67 | Orange | $526 |
| 68 | Tucson | $522 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 32 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Redondo Beach | $7,855 |
| 30 | Carmel | $7,823 |
| 31 | Richmond | $7,717 |
| 32 | Birmingham | $7,692 |
| 33 | Norfolk | $7,596 |
| 34 | Urban Honolulu | $7,572 |
| 35 | Waterbury | $7,529 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 689 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 686 | Tuscaloosa | 15.5% |
| 687 | Tracy | 15.4% |
| 688 | Montgomery | 15.4% |
| 689 | Birmingham | 15.3% |
| 690 | Springdale | 15.3% |
| 691 | Bossier City | 15.3% |
| 692 | Flagstaff | 15.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Birmingham ranks 429 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 426 | Oakland | 15.7% |
| 427 | West Des Moines | 15.6% |
| 428 | Winter Haven | 15.6% |
| 429 | Birmingham | 15.6% |
| 430 | Spokane Valley | 15.5% |
| 431 | Cleveland | 15.5% |
| 432 | Wellington | 15.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 120 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | North Little Rock | $4,597 |
| 118 | Eugene | $4,595 |
| 119 | Owensboro | $4,588 |
| 120 | Birmingham | $4,581 |
| 121 | Rochester | $4,572 |
| 122 | Methuen | $4,571 |
| 123 | Kingsport | $4,547 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 154 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | Rocky Mount | $4,051 |
| 152 | Garland | $3,993 |
| 153 | San Luis Obispo | $3,983 |
| 154 | Birmingham | $3,960 |
| 155 | Boulder | $3,943 |
| 156 | Urban Honolulu | $3,935 |
| 157 | Redwood City | $3,922 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham 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 taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Grapevine | $2,911 |
| 26 | Newport Beach | $2,882 |
| 27 | Virginia Beach | $2,822 |
| 28 | Birmingham | $2,814 |
| 29 | Suffolk | $2,789 |
| 30 | Nashua | $2,777 |
| 31 | Palo Alto | $2,716 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 75 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | South Bend | $561 |
| 73 | Watsonville | $560 |
| 74 | Redlands | $558 |
| 75 | Birmingham | $556 |
| 76 | Whittier | $555 |
| 77 | Davie | $552 |
| 78 | Sunrise | $545 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 156 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | Wichita | $3,617 |
| 154 | Lowell | $3,610 |
| 155 | Newport News | $3,592 |
| 156 | Birmingham | $3,587 |
| 157 | Burleson | $3,560 |
| 158 | Boston | $3,542 |
| 159 | Decatur | $3,536 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 528 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 525 | Bowling Green | 17.7% |
| 526 | Fort Smith | 17.6% |
| 527 | Lacey | 17.5% |
| 528 | Birmingham | 17.4% |
| 529 | Lakewood | 17.4% |
| 530 | Gilbert | 17.4% |
| 531 | Bentonville | 17.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Birmingham ranks 472 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 469 | Port St. Lucie | 9.9% |
| 470 | Alameda | 9.9% |
| 471 | Colorado Springs | 9.8% |
| 472 | Birmingham | 9.8% |
| 473 | Camarillo | 9.8% |
| 474 | Bossier City | 9.7% |
| 475 | Fremont | 9.7% |
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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.