Government budget and revenue in Dallas, Texas: official figures
Dallas' city government took in $5.7 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $4,400 for each of its 1,299,544 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 131st highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Dallas spend and on what?
It spent $5.5 billion in the same year, $4,212 per resident, the 143rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were airports (26.9%), police (12.3%) and the water utility (8.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Dallas collect per resident?
Taxes raised $2.1 billion ($1,643 per resident, the 117th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 41.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Dallas rely on?
Of Dallas' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 68.3%, general sales tax 19.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 9.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Dallas' property tax share is the 189th 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 Dallas get?
Payments from other governments made up 10.5% of Dallas' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 8.8% from the federal government ($353 per resident), 1.3% 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 Dallas raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $2.2 billion, 42.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $519.56 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Dallas spend on police?
Dallas' city government spent $672.30 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $517 per resident (the 101st highest of 582) and 12.3% 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 Dallas spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $444.81 million, $342 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Dallas have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Dallas' city government owed $12.9 billion in long-term debt, $9,927 per resident (the 19th highest of 582). During the year it issued $1.9 billion of new long-term debt and repaid $1.5 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Dallas pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $486.14 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 8.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Dallas city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 29.5% from $3,398 to $4,400, spending per resident rose 23.0% to $4,212, taxes per resident rose 23.7% to $1,643.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Dallas 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))
Dallas ranks 188 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | Fort Collins | $3,418 |
| 186 | Bartlett | $3,414 |
| 187 | Ontario | $3,399 |
| 188 | Dallas | $3,398 |
| 189 | Concord | $3,393 |
| 190 | Schaumburg | $3,374 |
| 191 | Redlands | $3,372 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 183 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | North Little Rock | $3,447 |
| 181 | Atlanta | $3,441 |
| 182 | Hillsboro | $3,435 |
| 183 | Dallas | $3,425 |
| 184 | Hollywood | $3,372 |
| 185 | Colorado Springs | $3,369 |
| 186 | Concord | $3,351 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 184 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 181 | Arcadia | $1,338 |
| 182 | Tacoma | $1,337 |
| 183 | Collierville | $1,330 |
| 184 | Dallas | $1,328 |
| 185 | Flagstaff | $1,322 |
| 186 | Long Beach | $1,322 |
| 187 | Mishawaka | $1,318 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 135 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $445 |
| 133 | Rockford | $445 |
| 134 | San Diego | $442 |
| 135 | Dallas | $442 |
| 136 | Terre Haute | $442 |
| 137 | Pittsburg | $441 |
| 138 | Petaluma | $441 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Tacoma | $8,614 |
| 23 | Oshkosh | $8,504 |
| 24 | Lansing | $8,494 |
| 25 | Dallas | $8,280 |
| 26 | Owensboro | $8,229 |
| 27 | Lakeland | $8,007 |
| 28 | Portland | $7,860 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 179 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | Council Bluffs | 70.4% |
| 177 | Winston-Salem | 70.3% |
| 178 | Mooresville | 70.3% |
| 179 | Dallas | 70.2% |
| 180 | Concord | 70.1% |
| 181 | Kannapolis | 69.9% |
| 182 | Cedar Rapids | 69.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Dallas ranks 495 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Napa | 13.1% |
| 493 | Midwest City | 13.1% |
| 494 | San Jose | 13.0% |
| 495 | Dallas | 13.0% |
| 496 | Everett | 13.0% |
| 497 | Queen Creek | 12.9% |
| 498 | Reading | 12.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Bentonville | $4,435 |
| 129 | Portland | $4,429 |
| 130 | Savannah | $4,414 |
| 131 | Dallas | $4,400 |
| 132 | New Braunfels | $4,381 |
| 133 | Redwood City | $4,376 |
| 134 | West Palm Beach | $4,374 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Redding | $4,334 |
| 141 | Alameda | $4,320 |
| 142 | Clearwater | $4,268 |
| 143 | Dallas | $4,212 |
| 144 | White Plains | $4,164 |
| 145 | Orlando | $4,152 |
| 146 | Sacramento | $4,146 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 117 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Parker | $1,665 |
| 115 | Santa Clara | $1,664 |
| 116 | Hoover | $1,645 |
| 117 | Dallas | $1,643 |
| 118 | Hillsboro | $1,634 |
| 119 | Mooresville | $1,631 |
| 120 | Hollywood | $1,628 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 101 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | Fall River | $522 |
| 99 | Carlsbad | $522 |
| 100 | Sacramento | $518 |
| 101 | Dallas | $517 |
| 102 | Tacoma | $516 |
| 103 | Commerce City | $514 |
| 104 | Tracy | $513 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 19 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Chicago | $10,324 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | $10,297 |
| 18 | Owensboro | $10,008 |
| 19 | Dallas | $9,927 |
| 20 | Denton | $9,840 |
| 21 | Kansas City | $9,638 |
| 22 | San Antonio | $9,460 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 189 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 186 | Concord | 68.5% |
| 187 | St. Petersburg | 68.4% |
| 188 | Greenwood | 68.3% |
| 189 | Dallas | 68.3% |
| 190 | Ames | 67.8% |
| 191 | Chapel Hill | 67.6% |
| 192 | Tallahassee | 67.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Dallas ranks 452 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 449 | Pasadena | 10.6% |
| 450 | San Jose | 10.6% |
| 451 | Greeley | 10.6% |
| 452 | Dallas | 10.5% |
| 453 | Redlands | 10.5% |
| 454 | Vancouver | 10.4% |
| 455 | Bothell | 10.4% |
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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.