Government budget and revenue in Columbia, Missouri: official figures
Columbia's city government took in $409.17 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $3,183 for each of its 128,555 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 234th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Columbia spend and on what?
It spent $365.78 million in the same year, $2,845 per resident, the 262nd 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 (35.1%), fire protection (6.9%) and solid waste (6.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Columbia collect per resident?
Taxes raised $94.87 million ($738 per resident, the 99th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 40.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Columbia rely on?
Of Columbia's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 10.8%, general sales tax 72.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 14.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Columbia's property tax share is the 20th 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 Columbia get?
Payments from other governments made up 18.7% of Columbia's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 6.1% from the federal government ($112 per resident), 3.5% from the state and 9.0% 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 Columbia raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $69.24 million, 29.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $175.37 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbia spend on police?
Columbia's city government spent $22.45 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $175 per resident (the 32nd lowest of 582) and 6.1% 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 Columbia spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $25.06 million, $195 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Columbia have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Columbia's city government owed $258.39 million in long-term debt, $2,010 per resident (the 265th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $19.94 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbia pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $7.24 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 2.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Columbia city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 2.7% from $3,098 to $3,183, spending per resident fell 1.3% to $2,845, taxes per resident rose 22.9% to $738.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Columbia 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))
Columbia ranks 216 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Hoboken | $3,146 |
| 214 | Lubbock | $3,131 |
| 215 | Tracy | $3,118 |
| 216 | Columbia | $3,098 |
| 217 | Conway | $3,083 |
| 218 | Houston | $3,083 |
| 219 | Napa | $3,062 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 243 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 240 | Oxnard | $2,893 |
| 241 | Westland | $2,886 |
| 242 | Gastonia | $2,882 |
| 243 | Columbia | $2,881 |
| 244 | Waterloo | $2,881 |
| 245 | Kalamazoo | $2,861 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 651 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 648 | Spokane Valley | $606 |
| 649 | Ocoee | $604 |
| 650 | Killeen | $602 |
| 651 | Columbia | $600 |
| 652 | Pittsburg | $600 |
| 653 | Palm Bay | $598 |
| 654 | Madera | $598 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 694 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 691 | Gaithersburg | $170 |
| 692 | Orem | $169 |
| 693 | Westfield | $168 |
| 694 | Columbia | $166 |
| 695 | Rockville | $165 |
| 696 | Smyrna | $165 |
| 697 | Fort Smith | $165 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 297 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 294 | Pittsburg | $2,415 |
| 295 | Bellevue | $2,404 |
| 296 | Bowling Green | $2,397 |
| 297 | Columbia | $2,384 |
| 298 | Reading | $2,382 |
| 299 | Loveland | $2,376 |
| 300 | Hoboken | $2,374 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 704 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 701 | Rogers | 12.8% |
| 702 | Mesa | 12.3% |
| 703 | Middletown | 12.2% |
| 704 | Columbia | 12.2% |
| 705 | Moore | 12.0% |
| 706 | Springfield | 11.9% |
| 707 | Cincinnati | 11.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbia ranks 204 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | Pittsburg | 26.7% |
| 202 | Peoria | 26.7% |
| 203 | Cedar Rapids | 26.7% |
| 204 | Columbia | 26.7% |
| 205 | Anderson | 26.6% |
| 206 | Union City | 26.6% |
| 207 | Madison | 26.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 234 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 231 | Grand Forks | $3,186 |
| 232 | Madison | $3,186 |
| 233 | Naperville | $3,184 |
| 234 | Columbia | $3,183 |
| 235 | Grand Rapids | $3,180 |
| 236 | Battle Creek | $3,179 |
| 237 | Pleasanton | $3,168 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 262 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 259 | Greeley | $2,854 |
| 260 | St. Petersburg | $2,852 |
| 261 | North Port | $2,848 |
| 262 | Columbia | $2,845 |
| 263 | Augusta | $2,844 |
| 264 | La Crosse | $2,818 |
| 265 | Pasco | $2,814 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 484 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 481 | Gresham | $743 |
| 482 | Lynwood | $741 |
| 483 | Palatine | $740 |
| 484 | Columbia | $738 |
| 485 | Macon-Bibb County | $738 |
| 486 | Smyrna | $736 |
| 487 | Pontiac | $731 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 551 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 548 | Lawrence | $184 |
| 549 | Fishers | $178 |
| 550 | College Station | $178 |
| 551 | Columbia | $175 |
| 552 | Wellington | $172 |
| 553 | Santa Clarita | $163 |
| 554 | Madison | $159 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 318 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 315 | Murfreesboro | $2,021 |
| 316 | Dearborn | $2,019 |
| 317 | Sandy Springs | $2,013 |
| 318 | Columbia | $2,010 |
| 319 | Hoover | $2,006 |
| 320 | Colton | $2,002 |
| 321 | Mobile | $2,000 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 561 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 558 | Mesa | 11.3% |
| 559 | Commerce City | 11.3% |
| 560 | Conway | 11.2% |
| 561 | Columbia | 10.8% |
| 562 | Hoover | 10.4% |
| 563 | Middletown | 10.4% |
| 564 | Queen Creek | 10.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbia ranks 290 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 287 | Las Cruces | 18.8% |
| 288 | Margate | 18.8% |
| 289 | Long Beach | 18.8% |
| 290 | Columbia | 18.7% |
| 291 | Gary | 18.6% |
| 292 | Anaheim | 18.6% |
| 293 | Brownsville | 18.5% |
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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.