Government budget and revenue in Elkhart, Indiana: official figures
Elkhart's city government took in $201.16 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,739 for each of its 53,801 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 173rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Elkhart spend and on what?
It spent $164.07 million in the same year, $3,050 per resident, the 235th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (14.3%), sewerage (13.7%) and fire protection (12.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Elkhart collect per resident?
Taxes raised $54.31 million ($1,010 per resident, the 253rd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 29.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Elkhart rely on?
Of Elkhart's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 98.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Elkhart's property tax share is the 10th 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 Elkhart get?
Payments from other governments made up 32.0% of Elkhart's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.3% from the federal government ($9 per resident), 31.2% from the state and 0.6% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Elkhart raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $62.27 million, 33.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $15.10 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Elkhart spend on police?
Elkhart's city government spent $23.38 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $435 per resident (the 190th highest of 582) and 14.3% 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 Elkhart spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $19.68 million, $366 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Elkhart have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Elkhart's city government owed $88.21 million in long-term debt, $1,640 per resident (the 209th lowest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Elkhart pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.05 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Elkhart city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 18.5% from $3,154 to $3,739, spending per resident rose 55.1% to $3,050, taxes per resident rose 5.6% to $1,010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Elkhart 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))
Elkhart ranks 212 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | Des Moines | $3,194 |
| 210 | St. George | $3,177 |
| 211 | Flagstaff | $3,174 |
| 212 | Elkhart | $3,154 |
| 213 | Hoboken | $3,146 |
| 214 | Lubbock | $3,131 |
| 215 | Tracy | $3,118 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 428 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 425 | North Richland Hills | $1,982 |
| 426 | Berwyn | $1,970 |
| 427 | Visalia | $1,970 |
| 428 | Elkhart | $1,966 |
| 429 | Fairfield | $1,964 |
| 430 | Euless | $1,964 |
| 431 | Reading | $1,960 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 369 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 366 | Vallejo | $958 |
| 367 | Wylie | $958 |
| 368 | Midland | $958 |
| 369 | Elkhart | $956 |
| 370 | Kannapolis | $955 |
| 371 | St. Louis Park | $955 |
| 372 | High Point | $954 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 220 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | Margate | $384 |
| 218 | Daly City | $381 |
| 219 | Fontana | $380 |
| 220 | Elkhart | $380 |
| 221 | Doral | $380 |
| 222 | Ocoee | $379 |
| 223 | Beaumont | $378 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 585 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 582 | Kirkland | $802 |
| 583 | Simi Valley | $800 |
| 584 | Rocky Mount | $796 |
| 585 | Elkhart | $796 |
| 586 | Albany | $792 |
| 587 | Visalia | $789 |
| 588 | Lynn | $780 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Trenton | 99.1% |
| 12 | Lafayette | 98.8% |
| 13 | Plainfield | 98.6% |
| 14 | Elkhart | 98.3% |
| 15 | Nashua | 98.3% |
| 16 | South Bend | 98.2% |
| 17 | Hartford | 98.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Elkhart ranks 298 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 295 | Gainesville | 20.5% |
| 296 | Kansas City | 20.5% |
| 297 | Bellflower | 20.5% |
| 298 | Elkhart | 20.5% |
| 299 | Cathedral City | 20.5% |
| 300 | Nashville | 20.5% |
| 301 | Fort Collins | 20.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 173 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Bowling Green | $3,792 |
| 171 | Hollywood | $3,785 |
| 172 | Athens | $3,758 |
| 173 | Elkhart | $3,739 |
| 174 | Garland | $3,735 |
| 175 | Sunrise | $3,719 |
| 176 | Riverside | $3,718 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 235 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 232 | Dubuque | $3,060 |
| 233 | Burleson | $3,056 |
| 234 | Tulsa | $3,051 |
| 235 | Elkhart | $3,050 |
| 236 | Meriden | $3,049 |
| 237 | Everett | $3,043 |
| 238 | Gastonia | $3,039 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 330 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 327 | Stillwater | $1,011 |
| 328 | Champaign | $1,010 |
| 329 | Middletown | $1,010 |
| 330 | Elkhart | $1,010 |
| 331 | Rowlett | $1,009 |
| 332 | Lubbock | $1,008 |
| 333 | Oceanside | $1,007 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 190 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 187 | Taunton | $435 |
| 188 | Portland | $435 |
| 189 | North Richland Hills | $435 |
| 190 | Elkhart | $435 |
| 191 | Columbus | $434 |
| 192 | Troy | $434 |
| 193 | Charlotte | $433 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 374 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 371 | Lauderhill | $1,654 |
| 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 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Perth Amboy | 99.4% |
| 8 | Kokomo | 99.0% |
| 9 | Pawtucket | 99.0% |
| 10 | Elkhart | 98.8% |
| 11 | Bayonne | 98.7% |
| 12 | Norwalk | 98.7% |
| 13 | Waterbury | 98.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Elkhart 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 | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Bloomington | 32.0% |
| 125 | Gilbert | 32.0% |
| 126 | Oak Park | 32.0% |
| 127 | Elkhart | 32.0% |
| 128 | Erie | 31.6% |
| 129 | Phoenix | 31.5% |
| 130 | Arlington Heights | 31.4% |
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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.