Government budget and revenue in El Paso, Texas: official figures
El Paso's city government took in $1.6 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, or $2,406 for each of its 677,456 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 201st lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does El Paso spend and on what?
It spent $1.7 billion in the same year, $2,498 per resident, the 249th lowest 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 (23.3%), sewerage (13.1%) and police (9.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does El Paso collect per resident?
Taxes raised $714.03 million ($1,054 per resident, the 280th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, 50.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does El Paso rely on?
Of El Paso's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, property tax made up 53.3%, general sales tax 27.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 16.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; El Paso's property tax share is the 274th 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 El Paso get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.0% of El Paso's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023: 9.3% from the federal government ($193 per resident), 3.5% 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 El Paso raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $384.94 million, 27.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $221.96 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does El Paso spend on police?
El Paso's city government spent $159.10 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, $235 per resident (the 77th lowest of 582) and 9.4% 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 El Paso spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $149.26 million, $220 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does El Paso have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, El Paso's city government owed $3.1 billion in long-term debt, $4,641 per resident (the 101st highest of 582). During the year it issued $275.14 million of new long-term debt and repaid $166.61 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does El Paso pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $121.17 million in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, 7.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the El Paso city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.1% from $2,073 to $2,406, spending per resident rose 32.5% to $2,498, taxes per resident rose 14.5% to $1,054.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow El Paso 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))
El Paso ranks 451 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 448 | Leander | $2,082 |
| 449 | Chapel Hill | $2,080 |
| 450 | Pomona | $2,076 |
| 451 | El Paso | $2,073 |
| 452 | Rogers | $2,073 |
| 453 | North Las Vegas | $2,065 |
| 454 | San Leandro | $2,062 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 459 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 456 | Irving | $1,890 |
| 457 | Lebanon | $1,889 |
| 458 | Lehi | $1,886 |
| 459 | El Paso | $1,885 |
| 460 | Tamarac | $1,880 |
| 461 | Dublin | $1,880 |
| 462 | Herriman | $1,874 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 405 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 402 | St. George | $924 |
| 403 | Garden Grove | $923 |
| 404 | Salem | $923 |
| 405 | El Paso | $921 |
| 406 | South Bend | $920 |
| 407 | Greensboro | $920 |
| 408 | Little Elm | $919 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 622 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 619 | Palmdale | $217 |
| 620 | Grand Forks | $217 |
| 621 | Pico Rivera | $216 |
| 622 | El Paso | $216 |
| 623 | Chapel Hill | $216 |
| 624 | Victoria | $216 |
| 625 | Encinitas | $215 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 178 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 175 | Buckeye | $3,533 |
| 176 | Chattanooga | $3,523 |
| 177 | Philadelphia | $3,520 |
| 178 | El Paso | $3,504 |
| 179 | Terre Haute | $3,463 |
| 180 | Framingham | $3,447 |
| 181 | Sioux City | $3,433 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 322 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | Bartlett | 55.3% |
| 320 | Huntersville | 55.2% |
| 321 | Deltona | 55.1% |
| 322 | El Paso | 54.9% |
| 323 | Baltimore | 54.8% |
| 324 | College Station | 54.8% |
| 325 | Portland | 54.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
El Paso ranks 290 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 287 | Irvine | 20.7% |
| 288 | Redding | 20.7% |
| 289 | Draper | 20.7% |
| 290 | El Paso | 20.6% |
| 291 | Santa Maria | 20.6% |
| 292 | Westminster | 20.6% |
| 293 | Kannapolis | 20.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 382 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 379 | Berwyn | $2,412 |
| 380 | Henderson | $2,412 |
| 381 | Enid | $2,409 |
| 382 | El Paso | $2,406 |
| 383 | Taylor | $2,404 |
| 384 | Jackson | $2,402 |
| 385 | Lacey | $2,400 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 334 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 331 | Palm Beach Gardens | $2,510 |
| 332 | Rockford | $2,507 |
| 333 | Maricopa | $2,505 |
| 334 | El Paso | $2,498 |
| 335 | Middletown | $2,496 |
| 336 | Sherman | $2,489 |
| 337 | Tigard | $2,489 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 303 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Alpharetta | $1,055 |
| 301 | Deerfield Beach | $1,055 |
| 302 | Medford | $1,055 |
| 303 | El Paso | $1,054 |
| 304 | Riverside | $1,050 |
| 305 | New Braunfels | $1,047 |
| 306 | Athens | $1,043 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 506 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 503 | Bowie | $238 |
| 504 | Lakeville | $236 |
| 505 | Shoreline | $235 |
| 506 | El Paso | $235 |
| 507 | Joplin | $234 |
| 508 | Mount Pleasant | $233 |
| 509 | Apple Valley | $232 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso 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 long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 98 | Bend | $4,757 |
| 99 | Vineland | $4,737 |
| 100 | Aurora | $4,673 |
| 101 | El Paso | $4,641 |
| 102 | Hoffman Estates | $4,632 |
| 103 | Hillsboro | $4,616 |
| 104 | Kingsport | $4,593 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 307 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 304 | Lenexa | 53.3% |
| 305 | Daytona Beach | 53.3% |
| 306 | Yonkers | 53.3% |
| 307 | El Paso | 53.3% |
| 308 | San Francisco | 53.0% |
| 309 | Fishers | 52.8% |
| 310 | Gresham | 52.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
El Paso ranks 390 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 387 | Moreno Valley | 13.1% |
| 388 | Los Angeles | 13.1% |
| 389 | Davie | 13.0% |
| 390 | El Paso | 13.0% |
| 391 | Topeka | 13.0% |
| 392 | Kent | 13.0% |
| 393 | Wake Forest | 13.0% |
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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…)
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