Government budget and revenue in Carlsbad, California: official figures
Carlsbad's city government took in $400.71 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,510 for each of its 114,160 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 200th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Carlsbad spend and on what?
It spent $334.61 million in the same year, $2,931 per resident, the 251st highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (17.8%), the water utility (16.9%) and roads and highways (12.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Carlsbad collect per resident?
Taxes raised $207.95 million ($1,822 per resident, the 95th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 58.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Carlsbad rely on?
Of Carlsbad's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 44.8%, general sales tax 28.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 20.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Carlsbad's property tax share is the 214th 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 Carlsbad get?
Payments from other governments made up 7.5% of Carlsbad's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 4.2% from the federal government ($131 per resident), 3.3% 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 Carlsbad raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $56.55 million, 16.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $47.68 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Carlsbad spend on police?
Carlsbad's city government spent $59.54 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $522 per resident (the 99th highest of 582) and 17.8% 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 Carlsbad spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $12.96 million, $114 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Carlsbad have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Carlsbad's city government owed $46.77 million in long-term debt, $410 per resident (the 41st lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $2.04 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Carlsbad pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.95 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Carlsbad city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 26.5% from $2,775 to $3,510, spending per resident rose 8.5% to $2,931, taxes per resident rose 14.3% to $1,822.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Carlsbad 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))
Carlsbad ranks 266 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 263 | Spokane | $2,780 |
| 264 | Oak Lawn | $2,778 |
| 265 | Phoenix | $2,776 |
| 266 | Carlsbad | $2,775 |
| 267 | West Haven | $2,770 |
| 268 | Columbus | $2,765 |
| 269 | Tempe | $2,761 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 262 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 259 | Jonesboro | $2,746 |
| 260 | South Bend | $2,719 |
| 261 | Naperville | $2,715 |
| 262 | Carlsbad | $2,702 |
| 263 | Lodi | $2,691 |
| 264 | Vallejo | $2,688 |
| 265 | Asheville | $2,684 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 119 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Pittsburgh | $1,614 |
| 117 | Kansas City | $1,612 |
| 118 | Detroit | $1,595 |
| 119 | Carlsbad | $1,594 |
| 120 | Salt Lake City | $1,592 |
| 121 | Pleasanton | $1,587 |
| 122 | San Rafael | $1,583 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 116 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 113 | Livermore | $461 |
| 114 | Redlands | $460 |
| 115 | Troy | $460 |
| 116 | Carlsbad | $459 |
| 117 | Galveston | $458 |
| 118 | Stockton | $456 |
| 119 | Bloomington | $456 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 653 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 650 | Chino Hills | $492 |
| 651 | Columbus | $490 |
| 652 | Brooklyn Park | $488 |
| 653 | Carlsbad | $481 |
| 654 | Margate | $481 |
| 655 | San Bernardino | $479 |
| 656 | Joplin | $473 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 416 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 413 | Santa Clara | 43.8% |
| 414 | Midland | 43.7% |
| 415 | Livermore | 43.5% |
| 416 | Carlsbad | 43.4% |
| 417 | Los Angeles | 43.2% |
| 418 | Columbia | 43.0% |
| 419 | San Marcos | 42.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carlsbad ranks 534 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 531 | Colorado Springs | 11.8% |
| 532 | Clearwater | 11.8% |
| 533 | Omaha | 11.8% |
| 534 | Carlsbad | 11.8% |
| 535 | Seattle | 11.8% |
| 536 | Auburn | 11.7% |
| 537 | Turlock | 11.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 197 | Tracy | $3,532 |
| 198 | Lexington | $3,526 |
| 199 | Charlotte | $3,517 |
| 200 | Carlsbad | $3,510 |
| 201 | Hillsboro | $3,504 |
| 202 | Everett | $3,503 |
| 203 | Schaumburg | $3,502 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 248 | Greensboro | $2,964 |
| 249 | Council Bluffs | $2,964 |
| 250 | Little Rock | $2,957 |
| 251 | Carlsbad | $2,931 |
| 252 | Pittsburgh | $2,931 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $2,922 |
| 254 | Southfield | $2,920 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 95 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Springfield | $1,837 |
| 93 | West Palm Beach | $1,833 |
| 94 | Queen Creek | $1,826 |
| 95 | Carlsbad | $1,822 |
| 96 | Auburn | $1,821 |
| 97 | Fort Lauderdale | $1,819 |
| 98 | Alameda | $1,804 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 99 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Flint | $523 |
| 97 | Newark | $522 |
| 98 | Fall River | $522 |
| 99 | Carlsbad | $522 |
| 100 | Sacramento | $518 |
| 101 | Dallas | $517 |
| 102 | Tacoma | $516 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 542 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Moreno Valley | $446 |
| 540 | San Bernardino | $443 |
| 541 | Smyrna | $411 |
| 542 | Carlsbad | $410 |
| 543 | Eden Prairie | $404 |
| 544 | Hempstead | $402 |
| 545 | Joplin | $392 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 367 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 364 | New York | 45.1% |
| 365 | Baytown | 45.0% |
| 366 | Sugar Land | 44.9% |
| 367 | Carlsbad | 44.8% |
| 368 | Pensacola | 44.8% |
| 369 | Bend | 44.3% |
| 370 | La Habra | 43.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carlsbad ranks 526 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 523 | Sunnyvale | 7.6% |
| 524 | Pleasanton | 7.6% |
| 525 | West Des Moines | 7.5% |
| 526 | Carlsbad | 7.5% |
| 527 | Bowie | 7.5% |
| 528 | Auburn | 7.4% |
| 529 | Sherman | 7.4% |
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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.