Government budget and revenue in Boulder, Colorado: official figures
Boulder's city government took in $363.58 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,447 for each of its 105,485 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 207th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Boulder spend and on what?
It spent $415.89 million in the same year, $3,943 per resident, the 155th 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 (12.4%), police (11.3%) and parks and recreation (11.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Boulder collect per resident?
Taxes raised $214.41 million ($2,033 per resident, the 77th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 65.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Boulder rely on?
Of Boulder's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 25.2%, general sales tax 52.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Boulder's property tax share is the 97th 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 Boulder get?
Payments from other governments made up 4.2% of Boulder's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.5% from the federal government ($17 per resident), 3.2% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Boulder raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $73.65 million, 22.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $36.56 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Boulder spend on police?
Boulder's city government spent $46.93 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $445 per resident (the 177th highest of 582) and 11.3% 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 Boulder spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $24.22 million, $230 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Boulder have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Boulder's city government owed $232.32 million in long-term debt, $2,202 per resident (the 287th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $16.21 million of new long-term debt and repaid $18.66 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Boulder pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $9.39 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Boulder city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.9% from $2,948 to $3,447, spending per resident rose 60.0% to $3,943, taxes per resident rose 17.6% to $2,033.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Boulder 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))
Boulder ranks 240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Stillwater | $2,962 |
| 238 | Gastonia | $2,961 |
| 239 | Clarksville | $2,958 |
| 240 | Boulder | $2,948 |
| 241 | Daytona Beach | $2,940 |
| 242 | Hollywood | $2,939 |
| 243 | Brentwood | $2,936 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 306 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | Woodland | $2,477 |
| 304 | Athens | $2,473 |
| 305 | Pico Rivera | $2,471 |
| 306 | Boulder | $2,464 |
| 307 | Racine | $2,454 |
| 308 | Grand Prairie | $2,443 |
| 309 | Aurora | $2,441 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 101 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | West Sacramento | $1,764 |
| 99 | Alameda | $1,751 |
| 100 | Olympia | $1,736 |
| 101 | Boulder | $1,728 |
| 102 | Redwood City | $1,720 |
| 103 | Dublin | $1,719 |
| 104 | Cupertino | $1,711 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 274 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 271 | Springfield | $358 |
| 272 | Grand Prairie | $358 |
| 273 | Goodyear | $358 |
| 274 | Boulder | $358 |
| 275 | Lakewood | $357 |
| 276 | Denver | $356 |
| 277 | Renton | $356 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 364 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 361 | Janesville | $1,949 |
| 362 | Eugene | $1,944 |
| 363 | Fresno | $1,943 |
| 364 | Boulder | $1,940 |
| 365 | Redwood City | $1,931 |
| 366 | Savannah | $1,931 |
| 367 | Ocala | $1,928 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 570 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 567 | Huntington Park | 28.4% |
| 568 | Cupertino | 28.4% |
| 569 | Lakewood | 28.4% |
| 570 | Boulder | 28.3% |
| 571 | Loveland | 28.3% |
| 572 | Denver | 28.1% |
| 573 | Norwalk | 27.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Boulder ranks 717 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 714 | Beaumont | 3.9% |
| 715 | Apple Valley | 3.8% |
| 716 | Newport Beach | 3.7% |
| 717 | Boulder | 3.5% |
| 718 | Hempstead | 3.5% |
| 719 | Lee's Summit | 3.5% |
| 720 | North Charleston | 3.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 207 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 204 | Stamford | $3,488 |
| 205 | Des Moines | $3,487 |
| 206 | Fayetteville | $3,465 |
| 207 | Boulder | $3,447 |
| 208 | Topeka | $3,429 |
| 209 | North Port | $3,428 |
| 210 | Waco | $3,420 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 155 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 158 | Owensboro | $3,912 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Worcester | $2,060 |
| 75 | Providence | $2,059 |
| 76 | Inglewood | $2,051 |
| 77 | Boulder | $2,033 |
| 78 | Cleveland | $2,024 |
| 79 | Commerce City | $1,940 |
| 80 | Redwood City | $1,921 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 177 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 174 | Eugene | $448 |
| 175 | Vallejo | $448 |
| 176 | Margate | $448 |
| 177 | Boulder | $445 |
| 178 | Lauderhill | $444 |
| 179 | Dearborn | $442 |
| 180 | Lebanon | $441 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 296 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | Largo | $2,229 |
| 294 | South Bend | $2,228 |
| 295 | Peabody | $2,207 |
| 296 | Boulder | $2,202 |
| 297 | Columbus | $2,196 |
| 298 | Billings | $2,173 |
| 299 | Aurora | $2,164 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 484 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 481 | Hamilton | 25.7% |
| 482 | Westminster | 25.7% |
| 483 | Lancaster | 25.3% |
| 484 | Boulder | 25.2% |
| 485 | Rancho Cordova | 25.1% |
| 486 | Schaumburg | 25.0% |
| 487 | Bellevue | 24.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Boulder ranks 563 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 560 | Sugar Land | 4.5% |
| 561 | Olathe | 4.4% |
| 562 | Dothan | 4.4% |
| 563 | Boulder | 4.2% |
| 564 | Irvine | 4.0% |
| 565 | Grand Island | 4.0% |
| 566 | White Plains | 3.7% |
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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.