Government budget and revenue in Decatur, Alabama: official figures
Decatur's city government took in $283.68 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $4,898 for each of its 57,922 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 105th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Decatur spend and on what?
It spent $273.20 million in the same year, $4,717 per resident, the 115th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the electric utility (35.2%), sewerage (9.1%) and parks and recreation (6.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Decatur collect per resident?
Taxes raised $77.36 million ($1,336 per resident, the 183rd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 52.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Decatur rely on?
Of Decatur's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 6.4%, general sales tax 64.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 17.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Decatur's property tax share is the 8th 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 Decatur get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.1% of Decatur's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 12.8% 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 Decatur raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $37.04 million, 25.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $136.44 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Decatur spend on police?
Decatur's city government spent $16.35 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $282 per resident (the 149th lowest of 582) and 6.0% 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 Decatur spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $12.49 million, $216 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Decatur have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Decatur's city government owed $204.83 million in long-term debt, $3,536 per resident (the 159th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $5.40 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Decatur pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $6.53 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 2.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Decatur city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 1.0% from $4,849 to $4,898, spending per resident rose 15.1% to $4,717, taxes per resident fell 19.1% to $1,336.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Decatur 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))
Decatur ranks 89 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | New Britain | $4,950 |
| 87 | Logan | $4,948 |
| 88 | Oakland | $4,895 |
| 89 | Decatur | $4,849 |
| 90 | Warwick | $4,804 |
| 91 | Berkeley | $4,782 |
| 92 | Virginia Beach | $4,759 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Oakland | $4,130 |
| 129 | Pensacola | $4,129 |
| 130 | Malden | $4,104 |
| 131 | Decatur | $4,098 |
| 132 | Orlando | $4,053 |
| 133 | Savannah | $4,046 |
| 134 | Bentonville | $4,031 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Burbank | $1,689 |
| 109 | Santa Fe | $1,680 |
| 110 | Torrance | $1,664 |
| 111 | Decatur | $1,651 |
| 112 | Palm Beach Gardens | $1,629 |
| 113 | Scottsdale | $1,623 |
| 114 | New Bedford | $1,622 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 454 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 451 | Las Cruces | $284 |
| 452 | Fort Collins | $284 |
| 453 | Tigard | $283 |
| 454 | Decatur | $283 |
| 455 | Kennewick | $283 |
| 456 | Beaumont | $282 |
| 457 | Sherman | $282 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 603 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 600 | Rochester | $730 |
| 601 | Cupertino | $729 |
| 602 | Farmington Hills | $724 |
| 603 | Decatur | $717 |
| 604 | Eagan | $714 |
| 605 | Norwalk | $711 |
| 606 | Naperville | $703 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 674 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 671 | Huntsville | 17.4% |
| 672 | Scottsdale | 17.1% |
| 673 | Lake Elsinore | 17.0% |
| 674 | Decatur | 17.0% |
| 675 | Temecula | 16.9% |
| 676 | Chandler | 16.9% |
| 677 | Gilbert | 16.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Decatur ranks 640 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 637 | Brooklyn Park | 8.1% |
| 638 | Mission Viejo | 8.0% |
| 639 | Palmdale | 7.9% |
| 640 | Decatur | 7.9% |
| 641 | Apex | 7.9% |
| 642 | Blaine | 7.9% |
| 643 | Weston | 7.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 105 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 102 | Warwick | $4,957 |
| 103 | Berkeley | $4,944 |
| 104 | San Antonio | $4,922 |
| 105 | Decatur | $4,898 |
| 106 | Fort Pierce | $4,888 |
| 107 | West New York | $4,859 |
| 108 | Collierville | $4,851 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Kingsport | $4,763 |
| 113 | Pensacola | $4,759 |
| 114 | Burbank | $4,729 |
| 115 | Decatur | $4,717 |
| 116 | Colorado Springs | $4,710 |
| 117 | Brockton | $4,698 |
| 118 | Sunnyvale | $4,651 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 183 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | Perth Amboy | $1,336 |
| 181 | Evanston | $1,336 |
| 182 | Tampa | $1,336 |
| 183 | Decatur | $1,336 |
| 184 | Ann Arbor | $1,335 |
| 185 | Midland | $1,335 |
| 186 | Glendale | $1,335 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 434 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 431 | Cheyenne | $283 |
| 432 | Camarillo | $283 |
| 433 | Lancaster | $283 |
| 434 | Decatur | $282 |
| 435 | Amarillo | $282 |
| 436 | Grand Island | $281 |
| 437 | Livonia | $280 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 159 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 156 | Birmingham | $3,587 |
| 157 | Burleson | $3,560 |
| 158 | Boston | $3,542 |
| 159 | Decatur | $3,536 |
| 160 | Fall River | $3,532 |
| 161 | Cincinnati | $3,506 |
| 162 | Providence | $3,483 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 573 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 570 | Parker | 7.7% |
| 571 | Canton | 7.2% |
| 572 | Mobile | 7.0% |
| 573 | Decatur | 6.4% |
| 574 | Columbus | 6.1% |
| 575 | Joplin | 5.7% |
| 576 | Stillwater | 4.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Decatur ranks 385 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 382 | Mission Viejo | 13.2% |
| 383 | Wellington | 13.2% |
| 384 | Turlock | 13.1% |
| 385 | Decatur | 13.1% |
| 386 | Springfield | 13.1% |
| 387 | Moreno Valley | 13.1% |
| 388 | Los Angeles | 13.1% |
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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.