Government budget and revenue in Bismarck, North Dakota: official figures
Bismarck's city government took in $246.97 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,317 for each of its 74,445 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 216th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Bismarck spend and on what?
It spent $224.09 million in the same year, $3,010 per resident, the 240th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (25.9%), police (12.8%) and solid waste (11.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Bismarck collect per resident?
Taxes raised $74.38 million ($999 per resident, the 244th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 32.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Bismarck rely on?
Of Bismarck's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 46.4%, general sales tax 41.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 8.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Bismarck's property tax share is the 227th 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 Bismarck get?
Payments from other governments made up 26.7% of Bismarck's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 9.1% from the federal government ($279 per resident), 15.9% from the state and 1.7% 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 Bismarck raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $57.16 million, 25.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $18.68 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bismarck spend on police?
Bismarck's city government spent $28.69 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $385 per resident (the 242nd highest of 582) and 12.8% 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 Bismarck spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $11.49 million, $154 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Bismarck have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Bismarck's city government owed $202.34 million in long-term debt, $2,718 per resident (the 232nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $41.65 million of new long-term debt and repaid $26.14 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bismarck pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $4.49 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Bismarck city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 11.3% from $2,981 to $3,317, spending per resident rose 33.9% to $3,010, taxes per resident rose 17.0% to $999.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Bismarck 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))
Bismarck ranks 233 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | West Des Moines | $2,994 |
| 231 | Colton | $2,982 |
| 232 | Camden | $2,981 |
| 233 | Bismarck | $2,981 |
| 234 | Buckeye | $2,979 |
| 235 | Sioux City | $2,970 |
| 236 | Marana | $2,964 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 354 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | McKinney | $2,255 |
| 352 | Richardson | $2,253 |
| 353 | Oceanside | $2,248 |
| 354 | Bismarck | $2,248 |
| 355 | Columbus | $2,245 |
| 356 | Cape Coral | $2,243 |
| 357 | Taylor | $2,242 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 463 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 460 | Bowie | $856 |
| 461 | Margate | $855 |
| 462 | Pensacola | $855 |
| 463 | Bismarck | $854 |
| 464 | Redding | $853 |
| 465 | Vista | $852 |
| 466 | Battle Creek | $849 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 257 | Tuscaloosa | $365 |
| 258 | San Clemente | $364 |
| 259 | El Cajon | $364 |
| 260 | Bismarck | $364 |
| 261 | Taunton | $363 |
| 262 | Arlington Heights | $363 |
| 263 | Santa Maria | $362 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 273 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 276 | Newport Beach | $2,522 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 426 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 423 | Pensacola | 42.5% |
| 424 | Davis | 42.5% |
| 425 | Apopka | 42.5% |
| 426 | Bismarck | 42.3% |
| 427 | Alameda | 42.2% |
| 428 | Palo Alto | 42.2% |
| 429 | San Diego | 41.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bismarck ranks 255 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 252 | Janesville | 22.8% |
| 253 | Bloomington | 22.7% |
| 254 | Kenner | 22.7% |
| 255 | Bismarck | 22.5% |
| 256 | Farmington Hills | 22.4% |
| 257 | Shoreline | 22.4% |
| 258 | St. Clair Shores | 22.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 216 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Evansville | $3,370 |
| 214 | Mobile | $3,364 |
| 215 | Richardson | $3,356 |
| 216 | Bismarck | $3,317 |
| 217 | Gastonia | $3,315 |
| 218 | Tulsa | $3,301 |
| 219 | Idaho Falls | $3,295 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Everett | $3,043 |
| 238 | Gastonia | $3,039 |
| 239 | Schaumburg | $3,019 |
| 240 | Bismarck | $3,010 |
| 241 | Jersey City | $3,009 |
| 242 | Bloomington | $3,005 |
| 243 | Aurora | $3,002 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 339 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 336 | Enid | $1,003 |
| 337 | Margate | $1,002 |
| 338 | Santa Maria | $1,001 |
| 339 | Bismarck | $999 |
| 340 | Visalia | $999 |
| 341 | St. Petersburg | $999 |
| 342 | St. Paul | $997 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 242 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 239 | Bossier City | $387 |
| 240 | Peoria | $386 |
| 241 | Buckeye | $385 |
| 242 | Bismarck | $385 |
| 243 | Norwalk | $385 |
| 244 | Everett | $384 |
| 245 | Salinas | $384 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 232 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 229 | Berkeley | $2,738 |
| 230 | Waterloo | $2,735 |
| 231 | Wilmington | $2,719 |
| 232 | Bismarck | $2,718 |
| 233 | Greenville | $2,716 |
| 234 | Missoula | $2,713 |
| 235 | Noblesville | $2,711 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 354 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | New Braunfels | 47.5% |
| 352 | White Plains | 47.1% |
| 353 | Denton | 46.8% |
| 354 | Bismarck | 46.4% |
| 355 | New Orleans | 46.3% |
| 356 | San Jose | 46.0% |
| 357 | Sarasota | 46.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bismarck ranks 173 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Buckeye | 26.9% |
| 171 | Idaho Falls | 26.9% |
| 172 | Muncie | 26.8% |
| 173 | Bismarck | 26.7% |
| 174 | Gallatin | 26.6% |
| 175 | Boston | 26.6% |
| 176 | Elizabeth | 26.5% |
More on Bismarck: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.