Government budget and revenue in Columbus, Georgia: official figures
Columbus' city government took in $612.13 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,021 for each of its 202,616 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 259th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Columbus spend and on what?
It spent $512.94 million in the same year, $2,532 per resident, the 259th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were public buildings (13.4%), police (13.3%) and roads and highways (8.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Columbus collect per resident?
Taxes raised $184.49 million ($911 per resident, the 190th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 32.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Columbus rely on?
Of Columbus' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 57.5%, general sales tax 0.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 27.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Columbus' property tax share is the 266th 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 Columbus get?
Payments from other governments made up 36.3% of Columbus' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.4% from the federal government ($154 per resident), 2.5% from the state and 28.4% 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 Columbus raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $110.56 million, 19.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $38.55 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbus spend on police?
Columbus' city government spent $68.13 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $336 per resident (the 253rd lowest of 582) and 13.3% 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 Columbus spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $41.48 million, $205 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Columbus have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Columbus' city government owed $444.97 million in long-term debt, $2,196 per resident (the 286th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $63.81 million of new long-term debt and repaid $40.04 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbus pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $15.65 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Columbus city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 21.0% from $2,497 to $3,021, spending per resident rose 12.8% to $2,532, taxes per resident rose 10.9% to $911.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Columbus 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))
Columbus ranks 332 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Little Elm | $2,510 |
| 330 | Petaluma | $2,504 |
| 331 | Apex | $2,503 |
| 332 | Columbus | $2,497 |
| 333 | Greeley | $2,491 |
| 334 | Vancouver | $2,483 |
| 335 | Minneapolis | $2,478 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 355 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 352 | Richardson | $2,253 |
| 353 | Oceanside | $2,248 |
| 354 | Bismarck | $2,248 |
| 355 | Columbus | $2,245 |
| 356 | Cape Coral | $2,243 |
| 357 | Taylor | $2,242 |
| 358 | Raleigh | $2,236 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 494 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 491 | Thousand Oaks | $824 |
| 492 | Pinellas Park | $822 |
| 493 | St. Petersburg | $822 |
| 494 | Columbus | $821 |
| 495 | Irvine | $821 |
| 496 | Fort Pierce | $820 |
| 497 | Aurora | $818 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 288 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 285 | Seattle | $350 |
| 286 | Deerfield Beach | $350 |
| 287 | Riverside | $349 |
| 288 | Columbus | $349 |
| 289 | North Charleston | $349 |
| 290 | Lake Havasu City | $347 |
| 291 | Sparks | $346 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 321 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | Huntington Beach | $2,265 |
| 319 | Tuscaloosa | $2,264 |
| 320 | Inglewood | $2,250 |
| 321 | Columbus | $2,250 |
| 322 | Frederick | $2,242 |
| 323 | Alpharetta | $2,235 |
| 324 | Little Elm | $2,233 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 276 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | Carrollton | 59.9% |
| 274 | Henderson | 59.6% |
| 275 | Lynchburg | 59.5% |
| 276 | Columbus | 59.5% |
| 277 | Utica | 59.4% |
| 278 | Sunrise | 59.3% |
| 279 | Sammamish | 59.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 93 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Lansing | 37.2% |
| 91 | Washington | 36.8% |
| 92 | Southaven | 36.2% |
| 93 | Columbus | 36.0% |
| 94 | Richmond | 35.8% |
| 95 | Battle Creek | 35.8% |
| 96 | Chesapeake | 35.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 259 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | Redlands | $3,051 |
| 257 | Oxnard | $3,044 |
| 258 | Tucson | $3,025 |
| 259 | Columbus | $3,021 |
| 260 | Midland | $3,005 |
| 261 | Apex | $2,992 |
| 262 | Edina | $2,987 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 324 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 321 | Franklin | $2,546 |
| 322 | Peoria | $2,541 |
| 323 | Akron | $2,537 |
| 324 | Columbus | $2,532 |
| 325 | Victorville | $2,526 |
| 326 | Deerfield Beach | $2,524 |
| 327 | Apex | $2,520 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 393 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 390 | Dearborn | $912 |
| 391 | Lawrence | $911 |
| 392 | Downers Grove | $911 |
| 393 | Columbus | $911 |
| 394 | Springfield | $909 |
| 395 | Coral Springs | $906 |
| 396 | Newark | $903 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 330 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 327 | New Haven | $339 |
| 328 | Montgomery | $339 |
| 329 | Roanoke | $338 |
| 330 | Columbus | $336 |
| 331 | Pasadena | $336 |
| 332 | Winston-Salem | $333 |
| 333 | Akron | $333 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 297 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 294 | South Bend | $2,228 |
| 295 | Peabody | $2,207 |
| 296 | Boulder | $2,202 |
| 297 | Columbus | $2,196 |
| 298 | Billings | $2,173 |
| 299 | Aurora | $2,164 |
| 300 | Frederick | $2,119 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 266 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 263 | Bethlehem | 58.1% |
| 264 | Harrisonburg | 57.7% |
| 265 | Houston | 57.5% |
| 266 | Columbus | 57.5% |
| 267 | Irving | 57.3% |
| 268 | Bryan | 57.2% |
| 269 | Casper | 57.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 88 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Schaumburg | 37.3% |
| 86 | Cranston | 37.2% |
| 87 | Westfield | 37.0% |
| 88 | Columbus | 36.3% |
| 89 | Lansing | 36.1% |
| 90 | Berwyn | 36.1% |
| 91 | Henderson | 36.0% |
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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.