Government budget and revenue in Burlington, North Carolina: official figures
Burlington's city government took in $132.68 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,238 for each of its 59,287 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 157th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Burlington spend and on what?
It spent $124.29 million in the same year, $2,096 per resident, the 155th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (25.2%), the water utility (23.5%) and fire protection (12.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Burlington collect per resident?
Taxes raised $63.01 million ($1,063 per resident, the 289th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 70.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Burlington rely on?
Of Burlington's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 66.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Burlington's property tax share is the 202nd highest 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 Burlington get?
Payments from other governments made up 14.9% of Burlington's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 7.4% from the state and 7.5% 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 Burlington raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $10.08 million, 11.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $43.68 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Burlington spend on police?
Burlington's city government spent $31.35 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $529 per resident (the 87th highest of 582) and 25.2% 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 Burlington spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $15.10 million, $255 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Burlington have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Burlington's city government owed $26.88 million in long-term debt, $453 per resident (the 47th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $3.06 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Burlington pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $192,000 in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Burlington city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 13.7% from $1,967 to $2,238, spending per resident rose 29.3% to $2,096, taxes per resident rose 14.3% to $1,063.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Burlington 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))
Burlington ranks 489 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 486 | Pittsburg | $1,982 |
| 487 | Midwest City | $1,979 |
| 488 | Garden Grove | $1,970 |
| 489 | Burlington | $1,967 |
| 490 | Boise City | $1,967 |
| 491 | Gresham | $1,967 |
| 492 | Eau Claire | $1,964 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 554 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 551 | Modesto | $1,630 |
| 552 | Rapid City | $1,628 |
| 553 | Valdosta | $1,623 |
| 554 | Burlington | $1,622 |
| 555 | Fulshear | $1,620 |
| 556 | Prescott Valley | $1,618 |
| 557 | Lakeville | $1,612 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 395 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 392 | Palmdale | $932 |
| 393 | Buena Park | $932 |
| 394 | Bakersfield | $930 |
| 395 | Burlington | $930 |
| 396 | Winston-Salem | $930 |
| 397 | Arvada | $929 |
| 398 | Alpharetta | $929 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 230 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | Lakeland | $377 |
| 228 | Miami Gardens | $377 |
| 229 | Mount Prospect | $376 |
| 230 | Burlington | $376 |
| 231 | Palatine | $374 |
| 232 | West Allis | $373 |
| 233 | Hemet | $373 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 627 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 624 | Texas City | $610 |
| 625 | Concord | $609 |
| 626 | New Rochelle | $607 |
| 627 | Burlington | $606 |
| 628 | Hempstead | $599 |
| 629 | Merced | $595 |
| 630 | Fullerton | $586 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 242 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 239 | Arlington Heights | 63.1% |
| 240 | Fort Wayne | 63.1% |
| 241 | High Point | 63.0% |
| 242 | Burlington | 62.8% |
| 243 | Des Moines | 62.8% |
| 244 | Evanston | 62.7% |
| 245 | Pleasanton | 62.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Burlington ranks 388 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 385 | Fort Pierce | 16.9% |
| 386 | Denver | 16.8% |
| 387 | Lubbock | 16.8% |
| 388 | Burlington | 16.8% |
| 389 | Pasadena | 16.7% |
| 390 | Des Moines | 16.6% |
| 391 | Palm Coast | 16.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 426 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 423 | Rockville | $2,258 |
| 424 | St. Charles | $2,251 |
| 425 | Leander | $2,242 |
| 426 | Burlington | $2,238 |
| 427 | North Richland Hills | $2,231 |
| 428 | Harlingen | $2,230 |
| 429 | Sterling Heights | $2,228 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 428 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 425 | Lakeville | $2,102 |
| 426 | St. Cloud | $2,100 |
| 427 | Pittsburg | $2,097 |
| 428 | Burlington | $2,096 |
| 429 | Warren | $2,085 |
| 430 | Tamarac | $2,079 |
| 431 | Harlingen | $2,076 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 294 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 291 | Salinas | $1,066 |
| 292 | Avondale | $1,065 |
| 293 | Passaic | $1,065 |
| 294 | Burlington | $1,063 |
| 295 | Davie | $1,060 |
| 296 | Bloomington | $1,059 |
| 297 | Rogers | $1,058 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | San Jose | $536 |
| 85 | Philadelphia | $534 |
| 86 | Springfield | $529 |
| 87 | Burlington | $529 |
| 88 | Denton | $528 |
| 89 | Tampa | $527 |
| 90 | St. Petersburg | $526 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 536 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 533 | Overland Park | $469 |
| 534 | St. Cloud | $466 |
| 535 | Casper | $456 |
| 536 | Burlington | $453 |
| 537 | Troy | $453 |
| 538 | North Miami | $448 |
| 539 | Moreno Valley | $446 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 202 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Pompano Beach | 67.0% |
| 200 | Orlando | 66.8% |
| 201 | Leander | 66.7% |
| 202 | Burlington | 66.5% |
| 203 | Raleigh | 66.5% |
| 204 | Lansing | 66.0% |
| 205 | Coconut Creek | 65.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Burlington ranks 348 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Plymouth | 15.1% |
| 346 | Albuquerque | 15.0% |
| 347 | Pompano Beach | 15.0% |
| 348 | Burlington | 14.9% |
| 349 | Tinley Park | 14.9% |
| 350 | Albany | 14.9% |
| 351 | San Antonio | 14.8% |
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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.