Government budget and revenue in Evanston, Illinois: official figures
Evanston's city government took in $235.30 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,115 for each of its 75,544 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 246th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Evanston spend and on what?
It spent $269.80 million in the same year, $3,571 per resident, the 186th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (21.4%), central administration (9.4%) and solid waste (9.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Evanston collect per resident?
Taxes raised $100.92 million ($1,336 per resident, the 181st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 47.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Evanston rely on?
Of Evanston's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 63.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 26.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Evanston's property tax share is the 223rd 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 Evanston get?
Payments from other governments made up 27.1% of Evanston's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 3.5% from the federal government ($98 per resident), 13.2% from the state and 10.4% 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 Evanston raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $37.53 million, 17.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $22.85 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Evanston spend on police?
Evanston's city government spent $57.86 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $766 per resident (the 29th highest of 582) and 21.4% 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 Evanston spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $21.24 million, $281 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Evanston have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Evanston's city government owed $433.15 million in long-term debt, $5,734 per resident (the 65th highest of 582). During the year it issued $15.69 million of new long-term debt and repaid $47.99 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Evanston pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $18.62 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 6.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Evanston city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 3.5% from $3,011 to $3,115, spending per resident rose 27.8% to $3,571, taxes per resident fell 2.5% to $1,336.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Evanston 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))
Evanston ranks 228 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 225 | Sacramento | $3,024 |
| 226 | Herriman | $3,018 |
| 227 | Asheville | $3,014 |
| 228 | Evanston | $3,011 |
| 229 | Richmond | $3,004 |
| 230 | West Des Moines | $2,994 |
| 231 | Colton | $2,982 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 249 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
| 247 | Cincinnati | $2,823 |
| 248 | Waukesha | $2,819 |
| 249 | Evanston | $2,794 |
| 250 | Stillwater | $2,787 |
| 251 | Miami | $2,780 |
| 252 | San Jose | $2,776 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 169 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 166 | Carson | $1,383 |
| 167 | Cedar Rapids | $1,376 |
| 168 | Sioux Falls | $1,374 |
| 169 | Evanston | $1,370 |
| 170 | Rapid City | $1,362 |
| 171 | Oklahoma City | $1,361 |
| 172 | Bellingham | $1,361 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 60 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 57 | Grand Junction | $548 |
| 58 | Daytona Beach | $546 |
| 59 | Jacksonville | $545 |
| 60 | Evanston | $543 |
| 61 | Yonkers | $541 |
| 62 | San Rafael | $536 |
| 63 | Santa Barbara | $535 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Portsmouth | $5,868 |
| 64 | West Sacramento | $5,769 |
| 65 | Columbus | $5,734 |
| 66 | Evanston | $5,703 |
| 67 | New Brunswick | $5,681 |
| 68 | Perris | $5,615 |
| 69 | New Haven | $5,577 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 244 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 241 | High Point | 63.0% |
| 242 | Burlington | 62.8% |
| 243 | Des Moines | 62.8% |
| 244 | Evanston | 62.7% |
| 245 | Pleasanton | 62.7% |
| 246 | Highland | 62.6% |
| 247 | Corvallis | 62.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Evanston ranks 209 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 206 | Union City | 26.6% |
| 207 | Madison | 26.4% |
| 208 | Loveland | 26.4% |
| 209 | Evanston | 26.4% |
| 210 | Fresno | 26.4% |
| 211 | Cambridge | 26.3% |
| 212 | Jacksonville | 26.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Oceanside | $3,129 |
| 244 | Greeley | $3,128 |
| 245 | Bloomington | $3,122 |
| 246 | Evanston | $3,115 |
| 247 | Little Rock | $3,112 |
| 248 | West Des Moines | $3,111 |
| 249 | Renton | $3,107 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 186 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 183 | Savannah | $3,615 |
| 184 | High Point | $3,607 |
| 185 | Columbia | $3,595 |
| 186 | Evanston | $3,571 |
| 187 | Kalamazoo | $3,561 |
| 188 | Vallejo | $3,556 |
| 189 | St. Paul | $3,553 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 181 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 178 | Lee's Summit | $1,337 |
| 179 | Denton | $1,336 |
| 180 | Perth Amboy | $1,336 |
| 181 | Evanston | $1,336 |
| 182 | Tampa | $1,336 |
| 183 | Decatur | $1,336 |
| 184 | Ann Arbor | $1,335 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 29 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Richmond | $776 |
| 27 | Berwyn | $770 |
| 28 | Berkeley | $769 |
| 29 | Evanston | $766 |
| 30 | Baton Rouge | $755 |
| 31 | Miami | $748 |
| 32 | Delray Beach | $707 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Garland | $5,818 |
| 63 | White Plains | $5,766 |
| 64 | Charlotte | $5,740 |
| 65 | Evanston | $5,734 |
| 66 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $5,708 |
| 67 | Bridgeport | $5,658 |
| 68 | Oshkosh | $5,621 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 223 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Davie | 63.6% |
| 221 | Arlington Heights | 63.6% |
| 222 | Urban Honolulu | 63.5% |
| 223 | Evanston | 63.4% |
| 224 | Coral Springs | 63.4% |
| 225 | Hillsboro | 63.3% |
| 226 | Fort Lauderdale | 63.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Evanston ranks 169 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 166 | Medford | 27.4% |
| 167 | Chattanooga | 27.4% |
| 168 | Eau Claire | 27.1% |
| 169 | Evanston | 27.1% |
| 170 | Buckeye | 26.9% |
| 171 | Idaho Falls | 26.9% |
| 172 | Muncie | 26.8% |
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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.