Government budget and revenue in Fort Lauderdale, Florida: official figures
Fort Lauderdale's city government took in $880.77 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $4,809 for each of its 183,146 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 109th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Fort Lauderdale spend and on what?
It spent $883.72 million in the same year, $4,825 per resident, the 111th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (19.2%), the water utility (19.0%) and financial administration (16.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Fort Lauderdale collect per resident?
Taxes raised $333.13 million ($1,819 per resident, the 97th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 47.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Fort Lauderdale rely on?
Of Fort Lauderdale's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 63.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 16.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Fort Lauderdale's property tax share is the 226th 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 Fort Lauderdale get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.0% of Fort Lauderdale's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 4.2% from the federal government ($162 per resident), 3.5% from the state and 3.2% 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 Fort Lauderdale raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $113.21 million, 16.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $181.34 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fort Lauderdale spend on police?
Fort Lauderdale's city government spent $170.00 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $928 per resident (the 8th highest of 582) and 19.2% 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 Fort Lauderdale spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $95.33 million, $521 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Fort Lauderdale have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Fort Lauderdale's city government owed $991.85 million in long-term debt, $5,416 per resident (the 74th highest of 582). During the year it issued $150.33 million of new long-term debt and repaid $22.96 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fort Lauderdale pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $31.09 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 3.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Fort Lauderdale city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 25.1% from $3,845 to $4,809, spending per resident rose 10.2% to $4,825, taxes per resident rose 26.4% to $1,819.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Fort Lauderdale 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))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 159 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 156 | Boca Raton | $3,866 |
| 157 | San Luis Obispo | $3,866 |
| 158 | Albany | $3,866 |
| 159 | Fort Lauderdale | $3,845 |
| 160 | Mishawaka | $3,803 |
| 161 | Mooresville | $3,791 |
| 162 | Vineland | $3,780 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 114 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Galveston | $4,455 |
| 112 | Redding | $4,426 |
| 113 | Cranston | $4,408 |
| 114 | Fort Lauderdale | $4,377 |
| 115 | Pawtucket | $4,332 |
| 116 | Haverhill | $4,326 |
| 117 | Fort Collins | $4,260 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 156 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | Lake Charles | $1,447 |
| 154 | Dothan | $1,447 |
| 155 | South Jordan | $1,445 |
| 156 | Fort Lauderdale | $1,439 |
| 157 | Aurora | $1,433 |
| 158 | Hillsboro | $1,415 |
| 159 | Carmel | $1,412 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Inglewood | $714 |
| 18 | New York | $711 |
| 19 | White Plains | $701 |
| 20 | Fort Lauderdale | $699 |
| 21 | Berkeley | $698 |
| 22 | Palo Alto | $681 |
| 23 | South San Francisco | $679 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Tempe | $5,114 |
| 85 | Berwyn | $5,111 |
| 86 | Pasadena | $5,110 |
| 87 | Fort Lauderdale | $5,083 |
| 88 | West Palm Beach | $5,044 |
| 89 | Goodyear | $5,037 |
| 90 | Victorville | $5,021 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 216 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Sioux City | 65.7% |
| 214 | Orlando | 65.7% |
| 215 | Norfolk | 65.5% |
| 216 | Fort Lauderdale | 65.5% |
| 217 | Columbus | 65.4% |
| 218 | Oak Park | 65.0% |
| 219 | Davie | 65.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 613 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 610 | Arlington | 9.2% |
| 611 | Menifee | 9.0% |
| 612 | Waco | 9.0% |
| 613 | Fort Lauderdale | 9.0% |
| 614 | Compton | 8.9% |
| 615 | Concord | 8.9% |
| 616 | Santa Barbara | 8.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 109 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 106 | Fort Pierce | $4,888 |
| 107 | West New York | $4,859 |
| 108 | Collierville | $4,851 |
| 109 | Fort Lauderdale | $4,809 |
| 110 | Delray Beach | $4,767 |
| 111 | Cranston | $4,763 |
| 112 | Bellevue | $4,746 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Eugene | $4,908 |
| 109 | Duluth | $4,873 |
| 110 | Berkeley | $4,828 |
| 111 | Fort Lauderdale | $4,825 |
| 112 | Kingsport | $4,763 |
| 113 | Pensacola | $4,759 |
| 114 | Burbank | $4,729 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 97 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Queen Creek | $1,826 |
| 95 | Carlsbad | $1,822 |
| 96 | Auburn | $1,821 |
| 97 | Fort Lauderdale | $1,819 |
| 98 | Alameda | $1,804 |
| 99 | Detroit | $1,803 |
| 100 | Pleasanton | $1,799 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Cleveland | $1,065 |
| 6 | Lafayette | $1,029 |
| 7 | Newport Beach | $954 |
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale | $928 |
| 9 | Vacaville | $915 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $888 |
| 11 | Scottsdale | $885 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 74 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Colorado Springs | $5,614 |
| 72 | Fayetteville | $5,478 |
| 73 | Terre Haute | $5,471 |
| 74 | Fort Lauderdale | $5,416 |
| 75 | Houston | $5,400 |
| 76 | Kalamazoo | $5,273 |
| 77 | Cambridge | $5,256 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 226 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 223 | Evanston | 63.4% |
| 224 | Coral Springs | 63.4% |
| 225 | Hillsboro | 63.3% |
| 226 | Fort Lauderdale | 63.0% |
| 227 | Rockville | 62.8% |
| 228 | Boca Raton | 62.8% |
| 229 | Naperville | 62.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Lauderdale ranks 440 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 437 | Woodbury | 11.1% |
| 438 | Frederick | 11.1% |
| 439 | Santa Maria | 11.1% |
| 440 | Fort Lauderdale | 11.0% |
| 441 | Palm Bay | 10.9% |
| 442 | Jeffersonville | 10.9% |
| 443 | Omaha | 10.9% |
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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.