Government budget and revenue in Carmel, Indiana: official figures
Carmel's city government took in $274.16 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,689 for each of its 101,964 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 256th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Carmel spend and on what?
It spent $247.99 million in the same year, $2,432 per resident, the 235th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were fire protection (13.9%), police (13.2%) and roads and highways (9.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Carmel collect per resident?
Taxes raised $66.74 million ($655 per resident, the 58th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 30.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Carmel rely on?
Of Carmel's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 90.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Carmel's property tax share is the 100th 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 Carmel get?
Payments from other governments made up 40.3% of Carmel's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 39.1% from the state and 1.3% 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 Carmel raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $49.29 million, 22.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $56.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Carmel spend on police?
Carmel's city government spent $32.71 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $321 per resident (the 225th lowest of 582) and 13.2% 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 Carmel spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $34.36 million, $337 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Carmel have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Carmel's city government owed $859.00 million in long-term debt, $8,425 per resident (the 28th highest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Carmel pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $56.99 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 23.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Carmel city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 0.4% from $2,700 to $2,689, spending per resident rose 14.0% to $2,432, taxes per resident fell 53.6% to $655.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Carmel 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))
Carmel ranks 285 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 282 | Jonesboro | $2,714 |
| 283 | Lafayette | $2,713 |
| 284 | Dearborn | $2,702 |
| 285 | Carmel | $2,700 |
| 286 | Waterloo | $2,698 |
| 287 | Lancaster | $2,698 |
| 288 | Lenexa | $2,697 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 380 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 377 | Green Bay | $2,154 |
| 378 | Rockford | $2,146 |
| 379 | Albany | $2,133 |
| 380 | Carmel | $2,133 |
| 381 | College Station | $2,129 |
| 382 | Kenosha | $2,127 |
| 383 | Santa Rosa | $2,124 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 159 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 156 | Fort Lauderdale | $1,439 |
| 157 | Aurora | $1,433 |
| 158 | Hillsboro | $1,415 |
| 159 | Carmel | $1,412 |
| 160 | Kirkland | $1,404 |
| 161 | Everett | $1,404 |
| 162 | Bossier City | $1,399 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 493 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 490 | Bellevue | $267 |
| 491 | Appleton | $266 |
| 492 | Huntsville | $266 |
| 493 | Carmel | $265 |
| 494 | Newton | $265 |
| 495 | Dubuque | $265 |
| 496 | Bend | $264 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Lakeland | $8,007 |
| 28 | Portland | $7,860 |
| 29 | Redondo Beach | $7,855 |
| 30 | Carmel | $7,823 |
| 31 | Richmond | $7,717 |
| 32 | Birmingham | $7,692 |
| 33 | Norfolk | $7,596 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Lehi | 39.2% |
| 456 | Camarillo | 39.1% |
| 457 | Santa Ana | 39.0% |
| 458 | Carmel | 39.0% |
| 459 | Colton | 38.9% |
| 460 | Ogden | 38.8% |
| 461 | Thousand Oaks | 38.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Carmel ranks 433 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 430 | Spokane Valley | 15.5% |
| 431 | Cleveland | 15.5% |
| 432 | Wellington | 15.4% |
| 433 | Carmel | 15.4% |
| 434 | Fremont | 15.4% |
| 435 | Coon Rapids | 15.4% |
| 436 | Daly City | 15.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 327 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 324 | Laredo | $2,704 |
| 325 | Meriden | $2,702 |
| 326 | Auburn | $2,698 |
| 327 | Carmel | $2,689 |
| 328 | Smyrna | $2,688 |
| 329 | Davenport | $2,680 |
| 330 | Sherman | $2,679 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel 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 | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Bozeman | $2,450 |
| 346 | Albany | $2,447 |
| 347 | Berwyn | $2,439 |
| 348 | Carmel | $2,432 |
| 349 | Vancouver | $2,432 |
| 350 | Laredo | $2,430 |
| 351 | Milwaukee | $2,426 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 525 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 522 | Hanford | $667 |
| 523 | Franklin | $664 |
| 524 | Maple Grove | $656 |
| 525 | Carmel | $655 |
| 526 | Killeen | $653 |
| 527 | Jacksonville | $653 |
| 528 | Coon Rapids | $652 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 358 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 355 | Greeley | $323 |
| 356 | Urban Honolulu | $323 |
| 357 | Victorville | $321 |
| 358 | Carmel | $321 |
| 359 | Tucson | $321 |
| 360 | Lubbock | $321 |
| 361 | Sterling Heights | $320 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 28 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Queen Creek | $8,644 |
| 26 | Richmond | $8,569 |
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $8,476 |
| 28 | Carmel | $8,425 |
| 29 | Cleveland | $8,273 |
| 30 | Rock Hill | $8,102 |
| 31 | Seattle | $7,889 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Ankeny | 90.2% |
| 98 | Troy | 90.2% |
| 99 | Apple Valley | 90.1% |
| 100 | Carmel | 90.0% |
| 101 | Boston | 89.9% |
| 102 | Camden | 89.9% |
| 103 | Bozeman | 89.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Carmel ranks 68 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Caldwell | 40.8% |
| 66 | Pensacola | 40.7% |
| 67 | Kissimmee | 40.5% |
| 68 | Carmel | 40.3% |
| 69 | Newport News | 40.2% |
| 70 | Homestead | 39.6% |
| 71 | Hampton | 39.6% |
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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.