Government budget and revenue in Fort Smith, Arkansas: official figures
Fort Smith's city government took in $288.47 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,205 for each of its 89,992 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 228th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Fort Smith spend and on what?
It spent $237.37 million in the same year, $2,638 per resident, the 281st lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (17.9%), the water utility (14.9%) and sewerage (10.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Fort Smith collect per resident?
Taxes raised $91.26 million ($1,014 per resident, the 259th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 35.0% 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 Smith rely on?
Of Fort Smith's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 17.6%, general sales tax 67.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Fort Smith's property tax share is the 55th 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 Fort Smith get?
Payments from other governments made up 37.3% of Fort Smith's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 9.7% from the federal government ($280 per resident), 18.1% from the state and 9.6% 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 Fort Smith raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $54.76 million, 21.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $27.89 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fort Smith spend on police?
Fort Smith's city government spent $22.25 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $247 per resident (the 90th lowest of 582) and 9.4% 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 Fort Smith spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $19.99 million, $222 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Fort Smith have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Fort Smith's city government owed $184.95 million in long-term debt, $2,055 per resident (the 272nd lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $10.76 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fort Smith pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $9.02 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 3.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Fort Smith city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 31.8% from $2,432 to $3,205, spending per resident rose 31.4% to $2,638, taxes per resident rose 12.8% to $1,014.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Fort Smith 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 Smith ranks 348 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Lincoln | $2,435 |
| 346 | Aurora | $2,435 |
| 347 | Thornton | $2,432 |
| 348 | Fort Smith | $2,432 |
| 349 | St. Petersburg | $2,429 |
| 350 | Lake Havasu City | $2,428 |
| 351 | Boynton Beach | $2,417 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Smith ranks 412 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 409 | Fresno | $2,019 |
| 410 | Bloomington | $2,017 |
| 411 | Petaluma | $2,015 |
| 412 | Fort Smith | $2,007 |
| 413 | Davie | $2,002 |
| 414 | West Des Moines | $1,999 |
| 415 | Pinellas Park | $1,998 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Smith ranks 425 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 422 | Kokomo | $900 |
| 423 | Sunrise | $900 |
| 424 | Rogers | $900 |
| 425 | Fort Smith | $899 |
| 426 | Murrieta | $897 |
| 427 | Daly City | $897 |
| 428 | Lake Elsinore | $895 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Smith ranks 697 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 694 | Columbia | $166 |
| 695 | Rockville | $165 |
| 696 | Smyrna | $165 |
| 697 | Fort Smith | $165 |
| 698 | Leander | $162 |
| 699 | Provo | $155 |
| 700 | Lincoln | $155 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Smith ranks 260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 257 | Lincoln | $2,642 |
| 258 | Tigard | $2,636 |
| 259 | Milwaukee | $2,629 |
| 260 | Fort Smith | $2,624 |
| 261 | Mount Pleasant | $2,609 |
| 262 | Las Cruces | $2,597 |
| 263 | Leander | $2,579 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fort Smith ranks 659 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 656 | Renton | 19.4% |
| 657 | St. George | 19.3% |
| 658 | Longmont | 19.1% |
| 659 | Fort Smith | 18.9% |
| 660 | Federal Way | 18.8% |
| 661 | Peoria | 18.8% |
| 662 | Kansas City | 18.8% |
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 Smith ranks 165 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 162 | Normal | 29.2% |
| 163 | Lorain | 28.9% |
| 164 | Prescott Valley | 28.9% |
| 165 | Fort Smith | 28.8% |
| 166 | Savannah | 28.7% |
| 167 | Waterloo | 28.7% |
| 168 | Rogers | 28.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 228 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 225 | Pompano Beach | $3,241 |
| 226 | Lancaster | $3,239 |
| 227 | Vacaville | $3,222 |
| 228 | Fort Smith | $3,205 |
| 229 | Asheville | $3,190 |
| 230 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $3,189 |
| 231 | Grand Forks | $3,186 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 302 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 299 | Homestead | $2,642 |
| 300 | Racine | $2,642 |
| 301 | Cary | $2,639 |
| 302 | Fort Smith | $2,638 |
| 303 | Richardson | $2,632 |
| 304 | Melbourne | $2,620 |
| 305 | Noblesville | $2,619 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 324 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 321 | Kannapolis | $1,021 |
| 322 | South Bend | $1,015 |
| 323 | Chico | $1,015 |
| 324 | Fort Smith | $1,014 |
| 325 | Kenosha | $1,013 |
| 326 | Schaumburg | $1,011 |
| 327 | Stillwater | $1,011 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 493 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 490 | Muncie | $254 |
| 491 | Rowlett | $253 |
| 492 | Coon Rapids | $253 |
| 493 | Fort Smith | $247 |
| 494 | Kannapolis | $246 |
| 495 | Harlingen | $245 |
| 496 | Killeen | $244 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 311 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 308 | Schenectady | $2,078 |
| 309 | Olympia | $2,071 |
| 310 | Santa Barbara | $2,056 |
| 311 | Fort Smith | $2,055 |
| 312 | North Richland Hills | $2,053 |
| 313 | Bayonne | $2,051 |
| 314 | Temecula | $2,042 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fort Smith ranks 526 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 523 | Grand Island | 18.5% |
| 524 | Federal Way | 17.7% |
| 525 | Bowling Green | 17.7% |
| 526 | Fort Smith | 17.6% |
| 527 | Lacey | 17.5% |
| 528 | Birmingham | 17.4% |
| 529 | Lakewood | 17.4% |
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 Smith ranks 83 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Battle Creek | 38.2% |
| 81 | Jonesboro | 38.0% |
| 82 | Flagstaff | 37.8% |
| 83 | Fort Smith | 37.3% |
| 84 | Methuen | 37.3% |
| 85 | Schaumburg | 37.3% |
| 86 | Cranston | 37.2% |
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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.