Government budget and revenue in Brownsville, Texas: official figures
Brownsville's city government took in $514.56 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $2,717 for each of its 189,382 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 263rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Brownsville spend and on what?
It spent $468.85 million in the same year, $2,476 per resident, the 241st lowest 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 (36.1%), police (10.8%) and roads and highways (6.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Brownsville collect per resident?
Taxes raised $110.29 million ($582 per resident, the 32nd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 43.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Brownsville rely on?
Of Brownsville's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 51.6%, general sales tax 39.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 6.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Brownsville's property tax share is the 257th 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 Brownsville get?
Payments from other governments made up 18.5% of Brownsville's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 15.1% from the federal government ($203 per resident), 0.5% from the state and 2.9% 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 Brownsville raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $69.04 million, 27.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $259.10 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Brownsville spend on police?
Brownsville's city government spent $50.50 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $267 per resident (the 114th lowest of 582) and 10.8% 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 Brownsville spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $26.77 million, $141 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Brownsville have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Brownsville's city government owed $482.55 million in long-term debt, $2,548 per resident (the 246th highest of 582). During the year it issued $29.46 million of new long-term debt and repaid $35.04 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Brownsville pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $17.95 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 3.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Brownsville city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 1.1% from $2,688 to $2,717, spending per resident fell 12.4% to $2,476, taxes per resident rose 9.6% to $582.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Brownsville 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))
Brownsville ranks 290 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 287 | Lancaster | $2,698 |
| 288 | Lenexa | $2,697 |
| 289 | Las Cruces | $2,697 |
| 290 | Brownsville | $2,688 |
| 291 | Montebello | $2,687 |
| 292 | Folsom | $2,681 |
| 293 | Mobile | $2,680 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Columbia | $2,881 |
| 244 | Waterloo | $2,881 |
| 245 | Kalamazoo | $2,861 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
| 247 | Cincinnati | $2,823 |
| 248 | Waukesha | $2,819 |
| 249 | Evanston | $2,794 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 685 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 682 | Saratoga Springs | $545 |
| 683 | Elk Grove | $541 |
| 684 | Idaho Falls | $538 |
| 685 | Brownsville | $531 |
| 686 | Diamond Bar | $526 |
| 687 | Westland | $523 |
| 688 | Valdosta | $521 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 643 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 640 | West Des Moines | $209 |
| 641 | Bentonville | $209 |
| 642 | Bellflower | $209 |
| 643 | Brownsville | $209 |
| 644 | Olathe | $208 |
| 645 | Moore | $207 |
| 646 | Maple Grove | $207 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 290 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 287 | Little Rock | $2,467 |
| 288 | Santa Barbara | $2,467 |
| 289 | Barnstable Town | $2,451 |
| 290 | Brownsville | $2,449 |
| 291 | Holly Springs | $2,448 |
| 292 | Rogers | $2,433 |
| 293 | San Angelo | $2,423 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 338 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 335 | Medford | 54.1% |
| 336 | Carson City | 53.7% |
| 337 | North Richland Hills | 53.6% |
| 338 | Brownsville | 53.3% |
| 339 | Casper | 53.3% |
| 340 | Pasadena | 53.2% |
| 341 | Daytona Beach | 53.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Brownsville ranks 395 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 392 | Smyrna | 16.6% |
| 393 | Deltona | 16.6% |
| 394 | Bakersfield | 16.5% |
| 395 | Brownsville | 16.5% |
| 396 | Diamond Bar | 16.5% |
| 397 | Tamarac | 16.5% |
| 398 | Jupiter | 16.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 320 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 317 | Lenexa | $2,721 |
| 318 | Tuscaloosa | $2,721 |
| 319 | Columbus | $2,717 |
| 320 | Brownsville | $2,717 |
| 321 | Buckeye | $2,709 |
| 322 | Stockton | $2,707 |
| 323 | Bloomington | $2,704 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 342 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 339 | Peoria | $2,482 |
| 340 | Thornton | $2,478 |
| 341 | Troy | $2,476 |
| 342 | Brownsville | $2,476 |
| 343 | Roswell | $2,463 |
| 344 | Corpus Christi | $2,451 |
| 345 | Bozeman | $2,450 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 551 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 548 | Lakeville | $587 |
| 549 | Rochester Hills | $586 |
| 550 | Terre Haute | $583 |
| 551 | Brownsville | $582 |
| 552 | St. Cloud | $581 |
| 553 | Flint | $580 |
| 554 | Millcreek | $574 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 469 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 466 | Bloomington | $267 |
| 467 | Rio Rancho | $267 |
| 468 | Goose Creek | $267 |
| 469 | Brownsville | $267 |
| 470 | Ann Arbor | $266 |
| 471 | Thousand Oaks | $266 |
| 472 | St. Louis Park | $266 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Tracy | $2,596 |
| 244 | St. Cloud | $2,580 |
| 245 | Royal Oak | $2,562 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,548 |
| 247 | Arlington Heights | $2,547 |
| 248 | Augusta | $2,536 |
| 249 | Lynwood | $2,536 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 324 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 321 | Charlotte | 52.0% |
| 322 | Manhattan | 52.0% |
| 323 | Fort Myers | 51.9% |
| 324 | Brownsville | 51.6% |
| 325 | Erie | 51.5% |
| 326 | Berkeley | 51.5% |
| 327 | Nashville | 51.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Brownsville ranks 293 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 290 | Columbia | 18.7% |
| 291 | Gary | 18.6% |
| 292 | Anaheim | 18.6% |
| 293 | Brownsville | 18.5% |
| 294 | Chula Vista | 18.5% |
| 295 | Waltham | 18.4% |
| 296 | Shoreline | 18.3% |
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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.