Government budget and revenue in Fargo, North Dakota: official figures
Fargo's city government took in $444.65 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,383 for each of its 131,444 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 212th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Fargo spend and on what?
It spent $461.81 million in the same year, $3,513 per resident, the 195th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (13.0%), roads and highways (10.4%) and the water utility (9.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Fargo collect per resident?
Taxes raised $127.14 million ($967 per resident, the 227th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 30.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Fargo rely on?
Of Fargo's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 30.5%, general sales tax 54.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Fargo's property tax share is the 124th 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 Fargo get?
Payments from other governments made up 27.6% of Fargo's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 9.3% from the federal government ($293 per resident), 18.2% 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 Fargo raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $96.75 million, 23.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $32.13 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fargo spend on police?
Fargo's city government spent $28.08 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $214 per resident (the 50th lowest of 582) and 6.1% 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 Fargo spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $21.08 million, $160 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Fargo have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Fargo's city government owed $935.51 million in long-term debt, $7,117 per resident (the 38th highest of 582). During the year it issued $268.84 million of new long-term debt and repaid $206.87 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fargo pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $28.54 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 6.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Fargo city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 3.2% from $3,495 to $3,383, spending per resident rose 7.2% to $3,513, taxes per resident rose 5.5% to $967.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Fargo 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))
Fargo ranks 179 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | Clearwater | $3,540 |
| 177 | Redmond | $3,518 |
| 178 | Perth Amboy | $3,511 |
| 179 | Fargo | $3,495 |
| 180 | Rock Hill | $3,490 |
| 181 | Alameda | $3,485 |
| 182 | Springfield | $3,470 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | Grapevine | $3,306 |
| 193 | Turlock | $3,282 |
| 194 | Whittier | $3,279 |
| 195 | Fargo | $3,276 |
| 196 | Santa Cruz | $3,275 |
| 197 | Charlotte | $3,263 |
| 198 | High Point | $3,257 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 410 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 407 | Greensboro | $920 |
| 408 | Little Elm | $919 |
| 409 | Fort Wayne | $919 |
| 410 | Fargo | $917 |
| 411 | Champaign | $914 |
| 412 | Columbia | $912 |
| 413 | Fishers | $911 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 678 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 675 | Apple Valley | $196 |
| 676 | Mount Pleasant | $194 |
| 677 | McKinney | $192 |
| 678 | Fargo | $190 |
| 679 | Lakewood | $190 |
| 680 | Fishers | $189 |
| 681 | St. George | $188 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 42 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Suffolk | $7,331 |
| 40 | Seattle | $7,295 |
| 41 | Alexandria | $7,262 |
| 42 | Fargo | $7,213 |
| 43 | San Antonio | $7,206 |
| 44 | Schaumburg | $7,003 |
| 45 | Bryan | $6,889 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 541 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 538 | La Mesa | 31.3% |
| 539 | Downey | 31.3% |
| 540 | Olympia | 31.2% |
| 541 | Fargo | 30.9% |
| 542 | Redding | 30.8% |
| 543 | Roseville | 30.8% |
| 544 | Normal | 30.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fargo ranks 110 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 107 | Lynchburg | 34.1% |
| 108 | Cranston | 34.0% |
| 109 | Detroit | 34.0% |
| 110 | Fargo | 34.0% |
| 111 | Philadelphia | 33.7% |
| 112 | Terre Haute | 33.7% |
| 113 | Framingham | 33.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 212 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | North Port | $3,428 |
| 210 | Waco | $3,420 |
| 211 | South Bend | $3,390 |
| 212 | Fargo | $3,383 |
| 213 | Evansville | $3,370 |
| 214 | Mobile | $3,364 |
| 215 | Richardson | $3,356 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 195 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 192 | Anderson | $3,546 |
| 193 | Carson City | $3,531 |
| 194 | Miami | $3,525 |
| 195 | Fargo | $3,513 |
| 196 | Conway | $3,507 |
| 197 | Evansville | $3,499 |
| 198 | Springfield | $3,497 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 356 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 353 | Fresno | $969 |
| 354 | Orange | $968 |
| 355 | Springfield | $968 |
| 356 | Fargo | $967 |
| 357 | Pensacola | $966 |
| 358 | Rocky Mount | $965 |
| 359 | Memphis | $962 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 533 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | Ankeny | $215 |
| 531 | Caldwell | $215 |
| 532 | Plymouth | $215 |
| 533 | Fargo | $214 |
| 534 | Wyoming | $214 |
| 535 | Dunwoody | $211 |
| 536 | Owensboro | $208 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 38 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Palo Alto | $7,266 |
| 36 | Conroe | $7,235 |
| 37 | Evansville | $7,134 |
| 38 | Fargo | $7,117 |
| 39 | Urban Honolulu | $7,075 |
| 40 | Schaumburg | $7,023 |
| 41 | Long Beach | $6,930 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 457 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 454 | Bakersfield | 30.9% |
| 455 | Olympia | 30.5% |
| 456 | Pittsburgh | 30.5% |
| 457 | Fargo | 30.5% |
| 458 | Baton Rouge | 30.2% |
| 459 | Maricopa | 30.0% |
| 460 | Everett | 29.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fargo ranks 163 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | West Allis | 27.9% |
| 161 | North Little Rock | 27.6% |
| 162 | Temecula | 27.6% |
| 163 | Fargo | 27.6% |
| 164 | Kentwood | 27.5% |
| 165 | Anderson | 27.5% |
| 166 | Medford | 27.4% |
More on Fargo: 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.