Government budget and revenue in Elizabeth, New Jersey: official figures
Elizabeth's city government took in $377.94 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,815 for each of its 134,283 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 290th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Elizabeth spend and on what?
It spent $365.67 million in the same year, $2,723 per resident, the 283rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (17.6%), housing and community development (13.9%) and fire protection (10.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Elizabeth collect per resident?
Taxes raised $209.41 million ($1,559 per resident, the 127th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 60.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Elizabeth rely on?
Of Elizabeth's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 95.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 3.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Elizabeth's property tax share is the 41st 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 Elizabeth get?
Payments from other governments made up 26.5% of Elizabeth's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 14.6% from the federal government ($376 per resident), 11.9% 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 Elizabeth raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $7.52 million, 2.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $32.74 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Elizabeth spend on police?
Elizabeth's city government spent $64.39 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $479 per resident (the 139th highest of 582) and 17.6% 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 Elizabeth spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $38.64 million, $288 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Elizabeth have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Elizabeth's city government owed $173.55 million in long-term debt, $1,292 per resident (the 171st lowest of 582). During the year it issued $21.35 million of new long-term debt and repaid $20.41 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Elizabeth pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $5.08 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Elizabeth city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 0.9% from $2,791 to $2,815, spending per resident rose 6.0% to $2,723, taxes per resident fell 3.7% to $1,559.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Elizabeth 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))
Elizabeth ranks 259 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | Everett | $2,849 |
| 257 | Athens | $2,819 |
| 258 | Corona | $2,815 |
| 259 | Elizabeth | $2,791 |
| 260 | South Jordan | $2,791 |
| 261 | Battle Creek | $2,790 |
| 262 | Fort Myers | $2,782 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth ranks 281 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 278 | Spokane | $2,595 |
| 279 | Winter Haven | $2,588 |
| 280 | Grand Rapids | $2,569 |
| 281 | Elizabeth | $2,568 |
| 282 | Riverside | $2,548 |
| 283 | Hawthorne | $2,547 |
| 284 | Homestead | $2,547 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Palm Beach Gardens | $1,629 |
| 113 | Scottsdale | $1,623 |
| 114 | New Bedford | $1,622 |
| 115 | Elizabeth | $1,619 |
| 116 | Pittsburgh | $1,614 |
| 117 | Kansas City | $1,612 |
| 118 | Detroit | $1,595 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth 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 spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Boynton Beach | $448 |
| 129 | Glendale | $448 |
| 130 | Des Plaines | $446 |
| 131 | Elizabeth | $446 |
| 132 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $445 |
| 133 | Rockford | $445 |
| 134 | San Diego | $442 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth ranks 468 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 465 | West Haven | $1,389 |
| 466 | Pasco | $1,388 |
| 467 | Tinley Park | $1,379 |
| 468 | Elizabeth | $1,377 |
| 469 | Salem | $1,372 |
| 470 | Clovis | $1,369 |
| 471 | Greeley | $1,364 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Royal Oak | 93.5% |
| 85 | Appleton | 93.4% |
| 86 | Milwaukee | 93.3% |
| 87 | Elizabeth | 93.1% |
| 88 | Kenosha | 93.1% |
| 89 | Ann Arbor | 93.1% |
| 90 | Eagan | 93.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elizabeth ranks 197 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 194 | Boston | 27.1% |
| 195 | Kenosha | 27.1% |
| 196 | Plainfield | 27.1% |
| 197 | Elizabeth | 27.0% |
| 198 | St. Cloud | 26.9% |
| 199 | Dearborn | 26.8% |
| 200 | Delano | 26.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 293 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 290 | Peoria | $2,825 |
| 291 | Sugar Land | $2,821 |
| 292 | Pembroke Pines | $2,815 |
| 293 | Elizabeth | $2,815 |
| 294 | Lebanon | $2,813 |
| 295 | Racine | $2,806 |
| 296 | Lee's Summit | $2,806 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 283 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 280 | Chula Vista | $2,747 |
| 281 | Irvine | $2,745 |
| 282 | Boise City | $2,745 |
| 283 | Elizabeth | $2,723 |
| 284 | Cheyenne | $2,716 |
| 285 | Naperville | $2,713 |
| 286 | Chapel Hill | $2,712 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 127 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Akron | $1,591 |
| 125 | Aurora | $1,586 |
| 126 | Dothan | $1,579 |
| 127 | Elizabeth | $1,559 |
| 128 | Mishawaka | $1,554 |
| 129 | Las Cruces | $1,542 |
| 130 | North Charleston | $1,542 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 139 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 136 | Clearwater | $486 |
| 137 | Hoffman Estates | $484 |
| 138 | Chattanooga | $482 |
| 139 | Elizabeth | $479 |
| 140 | Colton | $479 |
| 141 | Maricopa | $479 |
| 142 | Racine | $478 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 412 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 409 | Jersey City | $1,311 |
| 410 | Utica | $1,301 |
| 411 | Camden | $1,296 |
| 412 | Elizabeth | $1,292 |
| 413 | Coon Rapids | $1,282 |
| 414 | Palmdale | $1,256 |
| 415 | Smyrna | $1,252 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 41 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Southfield | 95.9% |
| 39 | Hartford | 95.9% |
| 40 | Newton | 95.9% |
| 41 | Elizabeth | 95.9% |
| 42 | St. Clair Shores | 95.9% |
| 43 | Worcester | 95.8% |
| 44 | Malden | 95.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elizabeth ranks 176 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | Bismarck | 26.7% |
| 174 | Gallatin | 26.6% |
| 175 | Boston | 26.6% |
| 176 | Elizabeth | 26.5% |
| 177 | Warwick | 26.4% |
| 178 | Gresham | 26.3% |
| 179 | Lancaster | 26.2% |
More on Elizabeth: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.