Government budget and revenue in Clifton, New Jersey: official figures
Clifton's city government took in $139.74 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,575 for each of its 88,709 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 36th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Clifton spend and on what?
It spent $129.86 million in the same year, $1,464 per resident, the 36th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (18.7%), fire protection (12.8%) and solid waste (7.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Clifton collect per resident?
Taxes raised $98.93 million ($1,115 per resident, the 268th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 70.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Clifton rely on?
Of Clifton's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 95.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 1.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Clifton's property tax share is the 51st 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 Clifton get?
Payments from other governments made up 9.1% of Clifton's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 7.3% from the federal government ($115 per resident), 1.4% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Clifton raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $21.22 million, 15.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Clifton spend on police?
Clifton's city government spent $24.26 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $274 per resident (the 135th lowest of 582) and 18.7% 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 Clifton spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $16.61 million, $187 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Clifton have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Clifton's city government owed $63.93 million in long-term debt, $721 per resident (the 95th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $6.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Clifton pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.24 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Clifton city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 0.5% from $1,568 to $1,575, spending per resident rose 24.8% to $1,464, taxes per resident rose 1.6% to $1,115.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Clifton 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))
Clifton ranks 624 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 621 | Simi Valley | $1,581 |
| 622 | Burnsville | $1,576 |
| 623 | Allentown | $1,569 |
| 624 | Clifton | $1,568 |
| 625 | Union City | $1,562 |
| 626 | Santa Clarita | $1,562 |
| 627 | Rochester Hills | $1,561 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton ranks 677 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 674 | Hesperia | $1,180 |
| 675 | Norwalk | $1,177 |
| 676 | Apple Valley | $1,173 |
| 677 | Clifton | $1,173 |
| 678 | Lakewood | $1,172 |
| 679 | Killeen | $1,164 |
| 680 | Brookhaven | $1,140 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton 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 taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 282 | Topeka | $1,102 |
| 283 | Grand Prairie | $1,099 |
| 284 | Bloomington | $1,098 |
| 285 | Clifton | $1,098 |
| 286 | Walnut Creek | $1,091 |
| 287 | Huntington Beach | $1,091 |
| 288 | Bloomington | $1,085 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton ranks 529 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 526 | Lafayette | $254 |
| 527 | Richardson | $254 |
| 528 | Blaine | $254 |
| 529 | Clifton | $254 |
| 530 | Westminster | $253 |
| 531 | Winter Haven | $253 |
| 532 | Southaven | $253 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton ranks 560 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 557 | Paterson | $940 |
| 558 | Kokomo | $937 |
| 559 | Rapid City | $935 |
| 560 | Clifton | $928 |
| 561 | Durham | $920 |
| 562 | St. Peters | $920 |
| 563 | Macon-Bibb County | $901 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton ranks 45 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Stamford | 96.4% |
| 43 | Novi | 96.3% |
| 44 | Dearborn | 96.3% |
| 45 | Clifton | 96.2% |
| 46 | Newton | 96.2% |
| 47 | Westland | 96.2% |
| 48 | Worcester | 96.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Clifton ranks 366 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 363 | Bellevue | 17.6% |
| 364 | Apple Valley | 17.6% |
| 365 | Fort Wayne | 17.5% |
| 366 | Clifton | 17.5% |
| 367 | Durham | 17.3% |
| 368 | Gastonia | 17.3% |
| 369 | Miramar | 17.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 547 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 544 | Santee | $1,597 |
| 545 | Dearborn Heights | $1,592 |
| 546 | Salinas | $1,580 |
| 547 | Clifton | $1,575 |
| 548 | Kenner | $1,575 |
| 549 | South Gate | $1,552 |
| 550 | Apple Valley | $1,546 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 547 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 544 | Burnsville | $1,483 |
| 545 | Lake Forest | $1,478 |
| 546 | Overland Park | $1,473 |
| 547 | Clifton | $1,464 |
| 548 | Hialeah | $1,446 |
| 549 | Wellington | $1,443 |
| 550 | Brooklyn Park | $1,438 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 268 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 265 | High Point | $1,120 |
| 266 | Shoreline | $1,118 |
| 267 | Kent | $1,116 |
| 268 | Clifton | $1,115 |
| 269 | Richland | $1,114 |
| 270 | Phoenix | $1,113 |
| 271 | Rockville | $1,113 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 448 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 445 | Marysville | $274 |
| 446 | Gulfport | $274 |
| 447 | Bozeman | $274 |
| 448 | Clifton | $274 |
| 449 | Pontiac | $273 |
| 450 | Chapel Hill | $273 |
| 451 | Conway | $273 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 488 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 485 | Taylor | $746 |
| 486 | Allentown | $732 |
| 487 | Plymouth | $724 |
| 488 | Clifton | $721 |
| 489 | Rocky Mount | $706 |
| 490 | Hialeah | $702 |
| 491 | Macon-Bibb County | $700 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 51 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Hempstead | 95.6% |
| 49 | Bridgeport | 95.6% |
| 50 | Dearborn | 95.5% |
| 51 | Clifton | 95.5% |
| 52 | Manchester | 95.4% |
| 53 | Haverhill | 95.4% |
| 54 | Novi | 95.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Clifton ranks 492 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 489 | Summerville | 9.2% |
| 490 | Hoover | 9.2% |
| 491 | Arlington | 9.2% |
| 492 | Clifton | 9.1% |
| 493 | San Luis Obispo | 9.1% |
| 494 | Minnetonka | 9.1% |
| 495 | Palm Coast | 9.0% |
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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.