Government budget and revenue in Columbus, Indiana: official figures
Columbus' city government took in $139.32 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,717 for each of its 51,268 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 264th lowest 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 $5.50 million in the same year, $107 per resident, the 5th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Columbus collect per resident?
Taxes raised $74.61 million ($1,455 per resident, the 146th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 55.9% 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 31 December 2023, property tax made up 65.5%, general sales tax 0.0%, individual income tax 30.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.5%. 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 206th 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 11.5% of Columbus' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 2.5% from the federal government ($66 per resident), 8.0% from the state and 0.9% 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 $19.39 million, 14.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $5.93 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Columbus have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Columbus' city government owed $119.78 million in long-term debt, $2,336 per resident (the 278th highest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbus pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $4.79 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 87.1% 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 26.3% from $2,151 to $2,717, spending per resident fell 92.9% to $107, taxes per resident fell 2.5% to $1,455.
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 428 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 425 | Lee's Summit | $2,156 |
| 426 | Bend | $2,156 |
| 427 | Lauderhill | $2,154 |
| 428 | Columbus | $2,151 |
| 429 | Tulare | $2,150 |
| 430 | Modesto | $2,145 |
| 431 | Mount Pleasant | $2,145 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 599 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 596 | Indio | $1,519 |
| 597 | Palm Coast | $1,514 |
| 598 | Rancho Cucamonga | $1,513 |
| 599 | Columbus | $1,511 |
| 600 | Moore | $1,501 |
| 601 | Broken Arrow | $1,501 |
| 602 | Bradenton | $1,499 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Logan | $1,504 |
| 141 | Herriman | $1,494 |
| 142 | Sarasota | $1,494 |
| 143 | Columbus | $1,492 |
| 144 | Milpitas | $1,489 |
| 145 | Fall River | $1,476 |
| 146 | Tempe | $1,475 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 523 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 520 | Logan | $257 |
| 521 | Virginia Beach | $257 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $256 |
| 523 | Columbus | $256 |
| 524 | St. Peters | $255 |
| 525 | Albany | $254 |
| 526 | Lafayette | $254 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus 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 long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 648 | Troy | $502 |
| 649 | West Jordan | $499 |
| 650 | Chino Hills | $492 |
| 651 | Columbus | $490 |
| 652 | Brooklyn Park | $488 |
| 653 | Carlsbad | $481 |
| 654 | Margate | $481 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 217 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 214 | Orlando | 65.7% |
| 215 | Norfolk | 65.5% |
| 216 | Fort Lauderdale | 65.5% |
| 217 | Columbus | 65.4% |
| 218 | Oak Park | 65.0% |
| 219 | Davie | 65.0% |
| 220 | Wake Forest | 64.9% |
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 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Owensboro | 23.8% |
| 244 | South Gate | 23.6% |
| 245 | Southfield | 23.5% |
| 246 | Columbus | 23.4% |
| 247 | Modesto | 23.4% |
| 248 | Apopka | 23.3% |
| 249 | Chula Vista | 23.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 319 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 316 | Auburn | $2,726 |
| 317 | Lenexa | $2,721 |
| 318 | Tuscaloosa | $2,721 |
| 319 | Columbus | $2,717 |
| 320 | Brownsville | $2,717 |
| 321 | Buckeye | $2,709 |
| 322 | Stockton | $2,707 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 578 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | Florissant | $422 |
| 576 | Eagle Mountain | $398 |
| 577 | Harrisburg | $170 |
| 578 | Columbus | $107 |
| 579 | Reading | $83 |
| 580 | Wichita Falls | $63 |
| 581 | Longmont | $19 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 146 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | Bellingham | $1,473 |
| 144 | Bothell | $1,459 |
| 145 | Thornton | $1,458 |
| 146 | Columbus | $1,455 |
| 147 | Tacoma | $1,450 |
| 148 | Kirkland | $1,449 |
| 149 | Sioux Falls | $1,445 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 576 | Canton | $0 |
| 577 | Eagle Mountain | $0 |
| 578 | Millcreek | $0 |
| 579 | Meriden | $0 |
| 580 | Columbus | $0 |
| 581 | Harrisburg | $0 |
| 582 | Downers Grove | $0 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 278 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 275 | League City | $2,345 |
| 276 | Montgomery | $2,337 |
| 277 | Auburn | $2,337 |
| 278 | Columbus | $2,336 |
| 279 | Green Bay | $2,320 |
| 280 | Davenport | $2,318 |
| 281 | Pompano Beach | $2,307 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 206 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 203 | Raleigh | 66.5% |
| 204 | Lansing | 66.0% |
| 205 | Coconut Creek | 65.9% |
| 206 | Columbus | 65.5% |
| 207 | Wake Forest | 65.3% |
| 208 | Bellevue | 65.3% |
| 209 | Pleasanton | 65.1% |
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 426 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 423 | Murrieta | 11.6% |
| 424 | Greensboro | 11.5% |
| 425 | Daytona Beach | 11.5% |
| 426 | Columbus | 11.5% |
| 427 | Kannapolis | 11.5% |
| 428 | High Point | 11.5% |
| 429 | Sammamish | 11.5% |
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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.