Government budget and revenue in Bowling Green, Kentucky: official figures
Bowling Green's city government took in $284.12 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,792 for each of its 74,926 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 170th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Bowling Green spend and on what?
It spent $241.27 million in the same year, $3,220 per resident, the 216th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the electric utility (37.3%), sewerage (12.9%) and fire protection (9.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Bowling Green collect per resident?
Taxes raised $111.39 million ($1,487 per resident, the 142nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 64.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Bowling Green rely on?
Of Bowling Green's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 17.7%, individual income tax 52.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 9.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Bowling Green's property tax share is the 56th 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 Bowling Green get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.9% of Bowling Green's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 1.1% from the federal government ($26 per resident), 10.4% 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 Bowling Green raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $29.86 million, 17.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $111.31 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bowling Green spend on police?
Bowling Green's city government spent $22.28 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $297 per resident (the 179th lowest of 582) and 9.2% 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 Bowling Green spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $23.30 million, $311 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Bowling Green pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.10 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Bowling Green city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.8% from $3,274 to $3,792, spending per resident rose 26.6% to $3,220, taxes per resident rose 14.2% to $1,487.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Bowling Green 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))
Bowling Green ranks 197 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Cincinnati | $3,339 |
| 195 | High Point | $3,317 |
| 196 | San Jose | $3,284 |
| 197 | Bowling Green | $3,274 |
| 198 | Torrance | $3,256 |
| 199 | Riverside | $3,250 |
| 200 | Scottsdale | $3,245 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 287 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 284 | Homestead | $2,547 |
| 285 | Pittsburgh | $2,546 |
| 286 | La Habra | $2,544 |
| 287 | Bowling Green | $2,544 |
| 288 | Augusta | $2,538 |
| 289 | Houston | $2,534 |
| 290 | Greeley | $2,526 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 193 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Buckeye | $1,310 |
| 191 | Shreveport | $1,307 |
| 192 | Loveland | $1,307 |
| 193 | Bowling Green | $1,302 |
| 194 | Santa Clara | $1,300 |
| 195 | Council Bluffs | $1,295 |
| 196 | Tulsa | $1,285 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 650 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 647 | Meridian | $207 |
| 648 | Lawrence | $206 |
| 649 | Wyoming | $206 |
| 650 | Bowling Green | $206 |
| 651 | Jonesboro | $206 |
| 652 | Yucaipa | $206 |
| 653 | Dunwoody | $205 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 296 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | San Angelo | $2,423 |
| 294 | Pittsburg | $2,415 |
| 295 | Bellevue | $2,404 |
| 296 | Bowling Green | $2,397 |
| 297 | Columbia | $2,384 |
| 298 | Reading | $2,382 |
| 299 | Loveland | $2,376 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 663 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 660 | Federal Way | 18.8% |
| 661 | Peoria | 18.8% |
| 662 | Kansas City | 18.8% |
| 663 | Bowling Green | 18.3% |
| 664 | Cathedral City | 18.1% |
| 665 | Porterville | 18.1% |
| 666 | Lacey | 18.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Bowling Green ranks 307 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | Troy | 20.3% |
| 305 | Logan | 20.2% |
| 306 | Oceanside | 20.2% |
| 307 | Bowling Green | 20.1% |
| 308 | Royal Oak | 20.1% |
| 309 | Eugene | 20.1% |
| 310 | Rochester Hills | 20.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Olympia | $3,844 |
| 168 | Colorado Springs | $3,812 |
| 169 | San Jose | $3,799 |
| 170 | Bowling Green | $3,792 |
| 171 | Hollywood | $3,785 |
| 172 | Athens | $3,758 |
| 173 | Elkhart | $3,739 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green 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 spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Asheville | $3,258 |
| 214 | Jonesboro | $3,242 |
| 215 | Waterloo | $3,228 |
| 216 | Bowling Green | $3,220 |
| 217 | Colton | $3,215 |
| 218 | Edina | $3,212 |
| 219 | Grand Rapids | $3,198 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 142 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 139 | Grand Island | $1,494 |
| 140 | Collierville | $1,491 |
| 141 | North Little Rock | $1,487 |
| 142 | Bowling Green | $1,487 |
| 143 | Bellingham | $1,473 |
| 144 | Bothell | $1,459 |
| 145 | Thornton | $1,458 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 404 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | Surprise | $298 |
| 402 | Perth Amboy | $298 |
| 403 | La Crosse | $298 |
| 404 | Bowling Green | $297 |
| 405 | Spokane Valley | $297 |
| 406 | Westland | $297 |
| 407 | St. Cloud | $296 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 578 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | Longmont | $1 |
| 576 | Columbus | $0 |
| 577 | Meridian | $0 |
| 578 | Bowling Green | $0 |
| 579 | Caldwell | $0 |
| 580 | Gaithersburg | $0 |
| 581 | Meriden | $0 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 525 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 522 | Renton | 19.1% |
| 523 | Grand Island | 18.5% |
| 524 | Federal Way | 17.7% |
| 525 | Bowling Green | 17.7% |
| 526 | Fort Smith | 17.6% |
| 527 | Lacey | 17.5% |
| 528 | Birmingham | 17.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Bowling Green ranks 417 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 414 | Wilmington | 12.1% |
| 415 | Burnsville | 12.0% |
| 416 | Enid | 11.9% |
| 417 | Bowling Green | 11.9% |
| 418 | Kennewick | 11.8% |
| 419 | Oxnard | 11.7% |
| 420 | Sacramento | 11.7% |
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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.