Government budget and revenue in Columbus, Ohio: official figures
Columbus' city government took in $2.7 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,970 for each of its 907,971 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 265th 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 $2.9 billion in the same year, $3,172 per resident, the 223rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (13.7%), sewerage (11.3%) and fire protection (10.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Columbus collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.3 billion ($1,411 per resident, the 158th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 53.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Columbus rely on?
Of Columbus' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 6.1%, individual income tax 88.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 2.4%. 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 7th 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 Columbus get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.3% of Columbus' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 8.4% from the federal government ($220 per resident), 3.1% from the state and 1.9% 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 $527.73 million, 22.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $316.24 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbus spend on police?
Columbus' city government spent $394.46 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $434 per resident (the 191st highest of 582) and 13.7% 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 Columbus spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $313.12 million, $345 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Columbus pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $165.25 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 5.7% 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 7.4% from $2,765 to $2,970, spending per resident rose 20.0% to $3,172, taxes per resident rose 10.0% to $1,411.
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 268 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 265 | Phoenix | $2,776 |
| 266 | Carlsbad | $2,775 |
| 267 | West Haven | $2,770 |
| 268 | Columbus | $2,765 |
| 269 | Tempe | $2,761 |
| 270 | Racine | $2,760 |
| 271 | Augusta | $2,759 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 268 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 265 | Asheville | $2,684 |
| 266 | Dubuque | $2,683 |
| 267 | Conroe | $2,679 |
| 268 | Columbus | $2,644 |
| 269 | San Rafael | $2,638 |
| 270 | Tulsa | $2,638 |
| 271 | Scottsdale | $2,637 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 198 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | Council Bluffs | $1,295 |
| 196 | Tulsa | $1,285 |
| 197 | Fort Collins | $1,284 |
| 198 | Columbus | $1,282 |
| 199 | Hayward | $1,280 |
| 200 | Springfield | $1,279 |
| 201 | Orlando | $1,272 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 204 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | Tinley Park | $399 |
| 202 | Taylorsville | $397 |
| 203 | Oceanside | $396 |
| 204 | Columbus | $394 |
| 205 | Downey | $393 |
| 206 | Nashville | $393 |
| 207 | Manteca | $393 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Arlington | $5,964 |
| 63 | Portsmouth | $5,868 |
| 64 | West Sacramento | $5,769 |
| 65 | Columbus | $5,734 |
| 66 | Evanston | $5,703 |
| 67 | New Brunswick | $5,681 |
| 68 | Perris | $5,615 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Columbus ranks 723 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 720 | Arvada | 7.3% |
| 721 | Cleveland | 7.1% |
| 722 | Joplin | 5.7% |
| 723 | Columbus | 5.3% |
| 724 | Prescott Valley | 5.1% |
| 725 | Dothan | 4.1% |
| 726 | Stillwater | 3.9% |
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 480 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 477 | Columbia | 13.8% |
| 478 | National City | 13.8% |
| 479 | Gilroy | 13.8% |
| 480 | Columbus | 13.8% |
| 481 | West Jordan | 13.7% |
| 482 | Eastvale | 13.7% |
| 483 | Bellevue | 13.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 265 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 262 | Edina | $2,987 |
| 263 | Vallejo | $2,978 |
| 264 | Middletown | $2,974 |
| 265 | Columbus | $2,970 |
| 266 | Sioux City | $2,970 |
| 267 | West Haven | $2,959 |
| 268 | Bossier City | $2,953 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 223 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Enid | $3,195 |
| 221 | Lubbock | $3,189 |
| 222 | Redlands | $3,182 |
| 223 | Columbus | $3,172 |
| 224 | Buckeye | $3,125 |
| 225 | Spokane | $3,116 |
| 226 | Pembroke Pines | $3,111 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 158 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Anaheim | $1,425 |
| 156 | Conroe | $1,416 |
| 157 | Pawtucket | $1,411 |
| 158 | Columbus | $1,411 |
| 159 | St. Louis Park | $1,411 |
| 160 | Oklahoma City | $1,408 |
| 161 | Council Bluffs | $1,403 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 191 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 188 | Portland | $435 |
| 189 | North Richland Hills | $435 |
| 190 | Elkhart | $435 |
| 191 | Columbus | $434 |
| 192 | Troy | $434 |
| 193 | Charlotte | $433 |
| 194 | Fairfield | $432 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 576 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 573 | Sammamish | $49 |
| 574 | Florissant | $6 |
| 575 | Longmont | $1 |
| 576 | Columbus | $0 |
| 577 | Meridian | $0 |
| 578 | Bowling Green | $0 |
| 579 | Caldwell | $0 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Columbus ranks 574 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 571 | Canton | 7.2% |
| 572 | Mobile | 7.0% |
| 573 | Decatur | 6.4% |
| 574 | Columbus | 6.1% |
| 575 | Joplin | 5.7% |
| 576 | Stillwater | 4.5% |
| 577 | Dothan | 4.1% |
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 379 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 376 | Lakeland | 13.5% |
| 377 | Lubbock | 13.4% |
| 378 | Boca Raton | 13.4% |
| 379 | Columbus | 13.3% |
| 380 | Winter Haven | 13.3% |
| 381 | St. Cloud | 13.3% |
| 382 | Mission Viejo | 13.2% |
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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.