Government budget and revenue in Cincinnati, Ohio: official figures
Cincinnati's city government took in $1.3 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $4,041 for each of its 309,513 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 156th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Cincinnati spend and on what?
It spent $1.1 billion in the same year, $3,620 per resident, the 182nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (17.6%), police (16.0%) and fire protection (11.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Cincinnati collect per resident?
Taxes raised $578.99 million ($1,871 per resident, the 87th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 55.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Cincinnati rely on?
Of Cincinnati's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 15.0%, individual income tax 60.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 6.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Cincinnati's property tax share is the 35th 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 Cincinnati get?
Payments from other governments made up 23.4% of Cincinnati's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 5.1% from the federal government ($174 per resident), 4.8% from the state and 13.5% 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 Cincinnati raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $141.19 million, 13.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $200.58 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cincinnati spend on police?
Cincinnati's city government spent $179.50 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $580 per resident (the 66th highest of 582) and 16.0% 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 Cincinnati spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $125.35 million, $405 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Cincinnati have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Cincinnati's city government owed $1.1 billion in long-term debt, $3,506 per resident (the 161st highest of 582). During the year it issued $50.56 million of new long-term debt and repaid $134.38 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Cincinnati pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $37.07 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 3.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Cincinnati city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 21.0% from $3,339 to $4,041, spending per resident rose 28.2% to $3,620, taxes per resident fell 9.8% to $1,871.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Cincinnati 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))
Cincinnati ranks 194 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Redlands | $3,372 |
| 192 | Sarasota | $3,365 |
| 193 | Dubuque | $3,361 |
| 194 | Cincinnati | $3,339 |
| 195 | High Point | $3,317 |
| 196 | San Jose | $3,284 |
| 197 | Bowling Green | $3,274 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 247 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 244 | Waterloo | $2,881 |
| 245 | Kalamazoo | $2,861 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
| 247 | Cincinnati | $2,823 |
| 248 | Waukesha | $2,819 |
| 249 | Evanston | $2,794 |
| 250 | Stillwater | $2,787 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Lafayette | $2,094 |
| 68 | Bellevue | $2,086 |
| 69 | Commerce City | $2,076 |
| 70 | Cincinnati | $2,074 |
| 71 | Portsmouth | $2,063 |
| 72 | Galveston | $2,058 |
| 73 | Worcester | $2,051 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 53 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Redwood City | $561 |
| 51 | Delray Beach | $561 |
| 52 | West Palm Beach | $560 |
| 53 | Cincinnati | $551 |
| 54 | Cathedral City | $550 |
| 55 | Vacaville | $550 |
| 56 | Gardena | $550 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 123 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Shreveport | $4,274 |
| 121 | Hammond | $4,267 |
| 122 | Detroit | $4,256 |
| 123 | Cincinnati | $4,250 |
| 124 | Aurora | $4,202 |
| 125 | Dubuque | $4,177 |
| 126 | Palm Desert | $4,158 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 707 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 704 | Columbia | 12.2% |
| 705 | Moore | 12.0% |
| 706 | Springfield | 11.9% |
| 707 | Cincinnati | 11.7% |
| 708 | Tucson | 11.5% |
| 709 | Lake Havasu City | 11.3% |
| 710 | Colorado Springs | 11.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Cincinnati ranks 725 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 722 | Richardson | 2.7% |
| 723 | Kansas City | 2.4% |
| 724 | Fulshear | 2.2% |
| 725 | Cincinnati | 2.0% |
| 726 | College Station | 2.0% |
| 727 | Norman | 1.5% |
| 728 | New Braunfels | 1.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 156 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | Scottsdale | $4,093 |
| 154 | Clearwater | $4,070 |
| 155 | White Plains | $4,061 |
| 156 | Cincinnati | $4,041 |
| 157 | San Diego | $4,032 |
| 158 | Canton | $4,019 |
| 159 | Urban Honolulu | $3,992 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 182 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | Sunrise | $3,649 |
| 180 | Flagstaff | $3,638 |
| 181 | Santa Ana | $3,629 |
| 182 | Cincinnati | $3,620 |
| 183 | Savannah | $3,615 |
| 184 | High Point | $3,607 |
| 185 | Columbia | $3,595 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Ontario | $1,897 |
| 85 | West Des Moines | $1,886 |
| 86 | Malden | $1,886 |
| 87 | Cincinnati | $1,871 |
| 88 | Scottsdale | $1,866 |
| 89 | Torrance | $1,864 |
| 90 | Olympia | $1,864 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Huntington Beach | $585 |
| 64 | Providence | $583 |
| 65 | Cambridge | $582 |
| 66 | Cincinnati | $580 |
| 67 | Boynton Beach | $572 |
| 68 | Idaho Falls | $572 |
| 69 | St. Paul | $567 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 161 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 158 | Boston | $3,542 |
| 159 | Decatur | $3,536 |
| 160 | Fall River | $3,532 |
| 161 | Cincinnati | $3,506 |
| 162 | Providence | $3,483 |
| 163 | Oakland | $3,481 |
| 164 | Clarksville | $3,469 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 546 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 543 | Oklahoma City | 15.4% |
| 544 | Montgomery | 15.4% |
| 545 | Flagstaff | 15.3% |
| 546 | Cincinnati | 15.0% |
| 547 | Tuscaloosa | 13.9% |
| 548 | Tulsa | 13.8% |
| 549 | Surprise | 12.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Cincinnati ranks 221 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 218 | Rio Rancho | 23.8% |
| 219 | Overland Park | 23.7% |
| 220 | Casa Grande | 23.4% |
| 221 | Cincinnati | 23.4% |
| 222 | Quincy | 23.3% |
| 223 | Nashville | 23.3% |
| 224 | La Habra | 23.0% |
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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.