Government budget and revenue in Council Bluffs, Iowa: official figures
Council Bluffs' city government took in $172.20 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,759 for each of its 62,405 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 276th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Council Bluffs spend and on what?
It spent $184.95 million in the same year, $2,964 per resident, the 249th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (19.8%), police (11.7%) and fire protection (8.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Council Bluffs collect per resident?
Taxes raised $87.53 million ($1,403 per resident, the 161st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 56.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Council Bluffs rely on?
Of Council Bluffs' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 67.3%, general sales tax 16.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 12.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Council Bluffs' property tax share is the 194th 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 Council Bluffs get?
Payments from other governments made up 12.6% of Council Bluffs' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 3.2% from the federal government ($81 per resident), 9.2% 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 Council Bluffs raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.56 million, 23.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $16.45 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Council Bluffs spend on police?
Council Bluffs' city government spent $21.59 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $346 per resident (the 269th lowest of 582) and 11.7% 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 Council Bluffs spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $15.06 million, $241 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Council Bluffs have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Council Bluffs' city government owed $101.73 million in long-term debt, $1,630 per resident (the 208th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $33.33 million of new long-term debt and repaid $11.16 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Council Bluffs pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $4.61 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Council Bluffs city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 8.8% from $3,024 to $2,759, spending per resident fell 0.7% to $2,964, taxes per resident rose 8.3% to $1,403.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Council Bluffs 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))
Council Bluffs ranks 224 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 221 | Palm Desert | $3,048 |
| 222 | Grapevine | $3,040 |
| 223 | Little Rock | $3,039 |
| 224 | Council Bluffs | $3,024 |
| 225 | Sacramento | $3,024 |
| 226 | Herriman | $3,018 |
| 227 | Asheville | $3,014 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 228 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 225 | Idaho Falls | $3,018 |
| 226 | Sioux City | $3,003 |
| 227 | Springfield | $2,990 |
| 228 | Council Bluffs | $2,985 |
| 229 | Daytona Beach | $2,979 |
| 230 | Napa | $2,958 |
| 231 | Battle Creek | $2,955 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | Loveland | $1,307 |
| 193 | Bowling Green | $1,302 |
| 194 | Santa Clara | $1,300 |
| 195 | Council Bluffs | $1,295 |
| 196 | Tulsa | $1,285 |
| 197 | Fort Collins | $1,284 |
| 198 | Columbus | $1,282 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 354 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | Rochester | $322 |
| 352 | Phoenix | $321 |
| 353 | Merced | $320 |
| 354 | Council Bluffs | $320 |
| 355 | Mobile | $319 |
| 356 | Loveland | $319 |
| 357 | Marana | $319 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 457 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 454 | Newark | $1,433 |
| 455 | Fort Pierce | $1,423 |
| 456 | Fayetteville | $1,422 |
| 457 | Council Bluffs | $1,420 |
| 458 | Miami | $1,415 |
| 459 | Pembroke Pines | $1,412 |
| 460 | Chapel Hill | $1,407 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 176 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | West Palm Beach | 70.7% |
| 174 | Davenport | 70.5% |
| 175 | Lancaster | 70.4% |
| 176 | Council Bluffs | 70.4% |
| 177 | Winston-Salem | 70.3% |
| 178 | Mooresville | 70.3% |
| 179 | Dallas | 70.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Council Bluffs ranks 146 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | Iowa City | 31.1% |
| 144 | Elgin | 30.8% |
| 145 | Salem | 30.7% |
| 146 | Council Bluffs | 30.5% |
| 147 | Taylor | 30.4% |
| 148 | Westland | 30.4% |
| 149 | Oak Lawn | 30.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 307 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | Fresno | $2,769 |
| 305 | Raleigh | $2,767 |
| 306 | Waterloo | $2,762 |
| 307 | Council Bluffs | $2,759 |
| 308 | Thornton | $2,758 |
| 309 | Bloomington | $2,758 |
| 310 | Parker | $2,756 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 249 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | Kirkland | $2,983 |
| 247 | Houston | $2,966 |
| 248 | Greensboro | $2,964 |
| 249 | Council Bluffs | $2,964 |
| 250 | Little Rock | $2,957 |
| 251 | Carlsbad | $2,931 |
| 252 | Pittsburgh | $2,931 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 161 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 158 | Columbus | $1,411 |
| 159 | St. Louis Park | $1,411 |
| 160 | Oklahoma City | $1,408 |
| 161 | Council Bluffs | $1,403 |
| 162 | Rapid City | $1,401 |
| 163 | Cedar Rapids | $1,396 |
| 164 | Asheville | $1,389 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 314 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Plainfield | $347 |
| 312 | Coeur d'Alene | $347 |
| 313 | Norman | $346 |
| 314 | Council Bluffs | $346 |
| 315 | West New York | $345 |
| 316 | Irving | $345 |
| 317 | Kenner | $344 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 375 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 372 | Rockville | $1,652 |
| 373 | Battle Creek | $1,640 |
| 374 | Elkhart | $1,640 |
| 375 | Council Bluffs | $1,630 |
| 376 | Sterling Heights | $1,621 |
| 377 | Davie | $1,618 |
| 378 | Thornton | $1,592 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 194 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Chapel Hill | 67.6% |
| 192 | Tallahassee | 67.5% |
| 193 | West Palm Beach | 67.4% |
| 194 | Council Bluffs | 67.3% |
| 195 | Cape Coral | 67.3% |
| 196 | Holly Springs | 67.2% |
| 197 | Norfolk | 67.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Council Bluffs ranks 399 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 396 | Bloomington | 12.9% |
| 397 | Palmdale | 12.7% |
| 398 | North Miami | 12.7% |
| 399 | Council Bluffs | 12.6% |
| 400 | Coconut Creek | 12.6% |
| 401 | North Charleston | 12.6% |
| 402 | Longmont | 12.6% |
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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.