Government budget and revenue in Chattanooga, Tennessee: official figures
Chattanooga's city government took in $1.6 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $8,776 for each of its 184,086 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 13th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Chattanooga spend and on what?
It spent $1.4 billion in the same year, $7,740 per resident, the 32nd highest 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 (54.3%), sewerage (7.2%) and police (6.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Chattanooga collect per resident?
Taxes raised $231.36 million ($1,257 per resident, the 214th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 29.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Chattanooga rely on?
Of Chattanooga's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 82.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Chattanooga's property tax share is the 125th 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 Chattanooga get?
Payments from other governments made up 27.4% of Chattanooga's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 6.1% from the federal government ($262 per resident), 7.6% from the state and 13.7% 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 Chattanooga raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $293.65 million, 36.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $820.64 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Chattanooga spend on police?
Chattanooga's city government spent $88.77 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $482 per resident (the 138th highest of 582) and 6.2% 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 Chattanooga spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $66.42 million, $361 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Chattanooga have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Chattanooga's city government owed $755.76 million in long-term debt, $4,105 per resident (the 125th highest of 582). During the year it issued $157.59 million of new long-term debt and repaid $50.81 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Chattanooga pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $21.74 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Chattanooga city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 6.5% from $8,241 to $8,776, spending per resident rose 8.1% to $7,740, taxes per resident rose 3.7% to $1,257.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Chattanooga 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))
Chattanooga ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Santa Monica | $8,672 |
| 8 | Miami Beach | $8,559 |
| 9 | Palo Alto | $8,404 |
| 10 | Chattanooga | $8,241 |
| 11 | Flint | $8,179 |
| 12 | Nashville | $8,119 |
| 13 | Baltimore | $8,099 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 24 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Denver | $7,357 |
| 22 | New Brunswick | $7,342 |
| 23 | Taunton | $7,181 |
| 24 | Chattanooga | $7,157 |
| 25 | Newton | $7,082 |
| 26 | Salt Lake City | $6,989 |
| 27 | Yonkers | $6,768 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 224 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 221 | Rancho Cucamonga | $1,218 |
| 222 | Burleson | $1,214 |
| 223 | Spokane | $1,213 |
| 224 | Chattanooga | $1,212 |
| 225 | Lebanon | $1,209 |
| 226 | Carson City | $1,208 |
| 227 | Conroe | $1,204 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 107 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | St. Paul | $469 |
| 105 | Kansas City | $468 |
| 106 | Pensacola | $466 |
| 107 | Chattanooga | $466 |
| 108 | Elgin | $465 |
| 109 | National City | $465 |
| 110 | Oak Lawn | $463 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 176 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | Turlock | $3,550 |
| 174 | Revere | $3,549 |
| 175 | Buckeye | $3,533 |
| 176 | Chattanooga | $3,523 |
| 177 | Philadelphia | $3,520 |
| 178 | El Paso | $3,504 |
| 179 | Terre Haute | $3,463 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 132 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 129 | Woodbury | 83.6% |
| 130 | Noblesville | 83.5% |
| 131 | Brooklyn Park | 82.8% |
| 132 | Chattanooga | 82.6% |
| 133 | Coon Rapids | 82.1% |
| 134 | Caldwell | 82.0% |
| 135 | Edina | 82.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chattanooga ranks 127 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Bristol | 32.8% |
| 125 | Palatine | 32.8% |
| 126 | Oak Park | 32.6% |
| 127 | Chattanooga | 32.6% |
| 128 | Appleton | 32.3% |
| 129 | St. Paul | 32.3% |
| 130 | Noblesville | 32.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 13 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Santa Monica | $10,109 |
| 11 | Boston | $9,533 |
| 12 | Richmond | $8,799 |
| 13 | Chattanooga | $8,776 |
| 14 | Baltimore | $8,670 |
| 15 | Denver | $8,494 |
| 16 | Perth Amboy | $8,465 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 32 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Lansing | $7,896 |
| 30 | Denver | $7,841 |
| 31 | Peabody | $7,830 |
| 32 | Chattanooga | $7,740 |
| 33 | Newport News | $7,721 |
| 34 | Quincy | $7,661 |
| 35 | Seattle | $7,611 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 214 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 211 | Madison | $1,261 |
| 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 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 138 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 135 | North Miami | $487 |
| 136 | Clearwater | $486 |
| 137 | Hoffman Estates | $484 |
| 138 | Chattanooga | $482 |
| 139 | Elizabeth | $479 |
| 140 | Colton | $479 |
| 141 | Maricopa | $479 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 125 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | West Palm Beach | $4,219 |
| 123 | Norman | $4,170 |
| 124 | Eau Claire | $4,157 |
| 125 | Chattanooga | $4,105 |
| 126 | Fort Myers | $4,094 |
| 127 | Madison | $4,082 |
| 128 | Framingham | $4,021 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 125 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Brooklyn Park | 84.0% |
| 123 | St. Louis Park | 83.3% |
| 124 | Springfield | 82.7% |
| 125 | Chattanooga | 82.7% |
| 126 | Gaithersburg | 82.6% |
| 127 | Woodbury | 82.5% |
| 128 | Coon Rapids | 82.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chattanooga ranks 167 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 164 | Kentwood | 27.5% |
| 165 | Anderson | 27.5% |
| 166 | Medford | 27.4% |
| 167 | Chattanooga | 27.4% |
| 168 | Eau Claire | 27.1% |
| 169 | Evanston | 27.1% |
| 170 | Buckeye | 26.9% |
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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.