Government budget and revenue in Chico, California: official figures
Chico's city government took in $207.19 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,045 for each of its 101,299 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 112th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Chico spend and on what?
It spent $165.87 million in the same year, $1,637 per resident, the 62nd 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%), roads and highways (21.3%) and fire protection (10.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Chico collect per resident?
Taxes raised $102.83 million ($1,015 per resident, the 260th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 49.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Chico rely on?
Of Chico's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 23.8%, general sales tax 55.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 19.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Chico's property tax share is the 84th 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 Chico get?
Payments from other governments made up 17.0% of Chico's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 10.5% from the federal government ($214 per resident), 5.4% from the state and 1.1% 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 Chico raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $27.87 million, 13.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Chico spend on police?
Chico's city government spent $41.83 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $413 per resident (the 208th 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 Chico spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $17.59 million, $174 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Chico have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Chico's city government owed $18.77 million in long-term debt, $185 per resident (the 18th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $2.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Chico pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $861,000 in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Chico city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 56.2% from $1,309 to $2,045, spending per resident rose 16.8% to $1,637, taxes per resident rose 42.3% to $1,015.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Chico 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))
Chico ranks 676 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 673 | Delano | $1,321 |
| 674 | Killeen | $1,320 |
| 675 | Murrieta | $1,312 |
| 676 | Chico | $1,309 |
| 677 | Coon Rapids | $1,306 |
| 678 | Doral | $1,298 |
| 679 | Jacksonville | $1,298 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 629 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 626 | Brooklyn Park | $1,414 |
| 627 | North Las Vegas | $1,411 |
| 628 | Hialeah | $1,407 |
| 629 | Chico | $1,402 |
| 630 | Smyrna | $1,397 |
| 631 | Roswell | $1,395 |
| 632 | Kannapolis | $1,394 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 577 | Moreno Valley | $719 |
| 578 | Santa Ana | $717 |
| 579 | Escondido | $716 |
| 580 | Chico | $714 |
| 581 | Wichita | $712 |
| 582 | Modesto | $712 |
| 583 | Reno | $711 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 382 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 379 | Topeka | $311 |
| 380 | Collierville | $310 |
| 381 | West Haven | $310 |
| 382 | Chico | $309 |
| 383 | Euless | $309 |
| 384 | Bothell | $308 |
| 385 | Omaha | $308 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 690 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 687 | Diamond Bar | $272 |
| 688 | Santee | $271 |
| 689 | Costa Mesa | $263 |
| 690 | Chico | $245 |
| 691 | North Miami | $242 |
| 692 | Union City | $241 |
| 693 | Lincoln | $235 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 565 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 562 | Washington | 29.0% |
| 563 | Sioux Falls | 28.8% |
| 564 | Rio Rancho | 28.6% |
| 565 | Chico | 28.6% |
| 566 | Tacoma | 28.4% |
| 567 | Huntington Park | 28.4% |
| 568 | Cupertino | 28.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Chico ranks 265 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 262 | Pittsburgh | 21.8% |
| 263 | Clarksville | 21.8% |
| 264 | Coeur d'Alene | 21.8% |
| 265 | Chico | 21.7% |
| 266 | San Antonio | 21.6% |
| 267 | Fullerton | 21.5% |
| 268 | Goodyear | 21.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 471 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 468 | Gresham | $2,053 |
| 469 | Westland | $2,049 |
| 470 | Farmington Hills | $2,047 |
| 471 | Chico | $2,045 |
| 472 | Yakima | $2,042 |
| 473 | Roswell | $2,042 |
| 474 | Bethlehem | $2,038 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 521 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 518 | Woodbury | $1,649 |
| 519 | Lorain | $1,642 |
| 520 | Great Falls | $1,641 |
| 521 | Chico | $1,637 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $1,630 |
| 523 | Apple Valley | $1,627 |
| 524 | South Gate | $1,623 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 323 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 320 | Murfreesboro | $1,023 |
| 321 | Kannapolis | $1,021 |
| 322 | South Bend | $1,015 |
| 323 | Chico | $1,015 |
| 324 | Fort Smith | $1,014 |
| 325 | Kenosha | $1,013 |
| 326 | Schaumburg | $1,011 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 208 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Buffalo | $416 |
| 206 | Thornton | $415 |
| 207 | Skokie | $413 |
| 208 | Chico | $413 |
| 209 | Fort Pierce | $413 |
| 210 | Palatine | $412 |
| 211 | Bloomington | $411 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 565 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 562 | Santee | $244 |
| 563 | Thousand Oaks | $213 |
| 564 | Pontiac | $195 |
| 565 | Chico | $185 |
| 566 | Lincoln | $155 |
| 567 | Troy | $145 |
| 568 | Rochester Hills | $141 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 497 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 494 | Longmont | 24.0% |
| 495 | Stockton | 23.9% |
| 496 | Lexington | 23.8% |
| 497 | Chico | 23.8% |
| 498 | Yakima | 23.8% |
| 499 | Grapevine | 23.3% |
| 500 | Visalia | 22.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Chico ranks 314 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Brookhaven | 17.3% |
| 312 | Everett | 17.3% |
| 313 | Baton Rouge | 17.1% |
| 314 | Chico | 17.0% |
| 315 | Novi | 17.0% |
| 316 | Salinas | 16.9% |
| 317 | Gastonia | 16.8% |
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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.