Government budget and revenue in Charlotte, North Carolina: official figures
Charlotte's city government took in $3.2 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,517 for each of its 897,720 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 199th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Charlotte spend and on what?
It spent $3.5 billion in the same year, $3,880 per resident, the 160th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were airports (22.2%), sewerage (12.8%) and police (11.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Charlotte collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.1 billion ($1,254 per resident, the 215th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 38.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Charlotte rely on?
Of Charlotte's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 52.0%, general sales tax 32.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Charlotte's property tax share is the 260th 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 Charlotte get?
Payments from other governments made up 16.6% of Charlotte's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 10.1% from the federal government ($328 per resident), 5.0% from the state and 1.4% 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 Charlotte raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $1.1 billion, 36.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $243.47 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Charlotte spend on police?
Charlotte's city government spent $388.59 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $433 per resident (the 193rd highest of 582) and 11.2% 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 Charlotte spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $195.18 million, $217 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Charlotte have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Charlotte's city government owed $5.2 billion in long-term debt, $5,740 per resident (the 64th highest of 582). During the year it issued $1.4 billion of new long-term debt and repaid $567.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Charlotte pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $236.49 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 6.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Charlotte city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 34.0% from $2,625 to $3,517, spending per resident rose 18.9% to $3,880, taxes per resident rose 28.6% to $1,254.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Charlotte 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))
Charlotte ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Westminster | $2,641 |
| 302 | Commerce City | $2,640 |
| 303 | Grand Forks | $2,639 |
| 304 | Charlotte | $2,625 |
| 305 | Waco | $2,619 |
| 306 | Pompano Beach | $2,619 |
| 307 | Kirkland | $2,615 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte 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 spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Whittier | $3,279 |
| 195 | Fargo | $3,276 |
| 196 | Santa Cruz | $3,275 |
| 197 | Charlotte | $3,263 |
| 198 | High Point | $3,257 |
| 199 | Portland | $3,254 |
| 200 | Anaheim | $3,253 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte ranks 352 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 349 | Watsonville | $978 |
| 350 | Turlock | $977 |
| 351 | La Mesa | $976 |
| 352 | Charlotte | $975 |
| 353 | Phoenix | $972 |
| 354 | Edina | $972 |
| 355 | St. Peters | $970 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte ranks 253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Colton | $368 |
| 251 | Warren | $368 |
| 252 | Lauderhill | $368 |
| 253 | Charlotte | $367 |
| 254 | Bloomington | $366 |
| 255 | Pasadena | $365 |
| 256 | Miramar | $365 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte ranks 95 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Tallahassee | $4,994 |
| 93 | Woodland | $4,944 |
| 94 | Fishers | $4,898 |
| 95 | Charlotte | $4,835 |
| 96 | Ontario | $4,790 |
| 97 | Phoenix | $4,778 |
| 98 | Corona | $4,774 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte ranks 266 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 263 | Naperville | 61.0% |
| 264 | Weston | 60.9% |
| 265 | San Clemente | 60.8% |
| 266 | Charlotte | 60.8% |
| 267 | Rocky Mount | 60.6% |
| 268 | Fort Worth | 60.6% |
| 269 | Atlanta | 60.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Charlotte ranks 337 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 334 | Albany | 19.0% |
| 335 | Waukesha | 18.9% |
| 336 | Buena Park | 18.8% |
| 337 | Charlotte | 18.8% |
| 338 | Greensboro | 18.8% |
| 339 | Santa Monica | 18.7% |
| 340 | Yakima | 18.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 199 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 196 | Columbia | $3,548 |
| 197 | Tracy | $3,532 |
| 198 | Lexington | $3,526 |
| 199 | Charlotte | $3,517 |
| 200 | Carlsbad | $3,510 |
| 201 | Hillsboro | $3,504 |
| 202 | Everett | $3,503 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 160 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 157 | Redwood City | $3,922 |
| 158 | Owensboro | $3,912 |
| 159 | Hollywood | $3,907 |
| 160 | Charlotte | $3,880 |
| 161 | Fayetteville | $3,877 |
| 162 | Bentonville | $3,857 |
| 163 | Rock Hill | $3,836 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 215 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 212 | Royal Oak | $1,261 |
| 213 | Joplin | $1,258 |
| 214 | Chattanooga | $1,257 |
| 215 | Charlotte | $1,254 |
| 216 | Waterloo | $1,251 |
| 217 | Oxnard | $1,250 |
| 218 | Sacramento | $1,248 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 193 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Elkhart | $435 |
| 191 | Columbus | $434 |
| 192 | Troy | $434 |
| 193 | Charlotte | $433 |
| 194 | Fairfield | $432 |
| 195 | Hillsboro | $432 |
| 196 | Phoenix | $431 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 64 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Galveston | $5,849 |
| 62 | Garland | $5,818 |
| 63 | White Plains | $5,766 |
| 64 | Charlotte | $5,740 |
| 65 | Evanston | $5,734 |
| 66 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $5,708 |
| 67 | Bridgeport | $5,658 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 321 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | Bartlett | 52.1% |
| 319 | Fayetteville | 52.0% |
| 320 | Clarksville | 52.0% |
| 321 | Charlotte | 52.0% |
| 322 | Manhattan | 52.0% |
| 323 | Fort Myers | 51.9% |
| 324 | Brownsville | 51.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Charlotte ranks 319 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 316 | Salinas | 16.9% |
| 317 | Gastonia | 16.8% |
| 318 | Lincoln | 16.7% |
| 319 | Charlotte | 16.6% |
| 320 | Lakeville | 16.5% |
| 321 | Houston | 16.5% |
| 322 | St. Petersburg | 16.5% |
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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.