Government budget and revenue in Fresno, California: official figures
Fresno's city government took in $1.5 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,769 for each of its 545,567 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 279th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Fresno spend and on what?
It spent $1.7 billion in the same year, $3,081 per resident, the 228th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (15.1%), roads and highways (12.2%) and public transit (12.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Fresno collect per resident?
Taxes raised $528.92 million ($969 per resident, the 230th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 44.3% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Fresno rely on?
Of Fresno's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 34.2%, general sales tax 43.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Fresno's property tax share is the 147th 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 Fresno get?
Payments from other governments made up 25.4% of Fresno's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 8.1% from the federal government ($178 per resident), 14.5% from the state and 2.7% 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 Fresno raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $283.40 million, 23.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $315.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fresno spend on police?
Fresno's city government spent $253.37 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $464 per resident (the 155th highest of 582) and 15.1% 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 Fresno spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $98.62 million, $181 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Fresno have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Fresno's city government owed $1.0 billion in long-term debt, $1,839 per resident (the 233rd lowest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Fresno pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $32.44 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Fresno city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 31.4% from $2,107 to $2,769, spending per resident rose 52.6% to $3,081, taxes per resident rose 21.1% to $969.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Fresno 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))
Fresno ranks 437 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 434 | Montgomery | $2,116 |
| 435 | Appleton | $2,112 |
| 436 | North Miami | $2,112 |
| 437 | Fresno | $2,107 |
| 438 | Port St. Lucie | $2,102 |
| 439 | Albany | $2,101 |
| 440 | Escondido | $2,100 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 409 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 406 | Durham | $2,031 |
| 407 | Auburn | $2,030 |
| 408 | North Port | $2,021 |
| 409 | Fresno | $2,019 |
| 410 | Bloomington | $2,017 |
| 411 | Petaluma | $2,015 |
| 412 | Fort Smith | $2,007 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 513 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Springfield | $804 |
| 511 | Winter Haven | $804 |
| 512 | Gallatin | $804 |
| 513 | Fresno | $801 |
| 514 | Menifee | $799 |
| 515 | Norwalk | $797 |
| 516 | Mesa | $796 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 158 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Brentwood | $430 |
| 156 | St. Petersburg | $429 |
| 157 | Newport News | $429 |
| 158 | Fresno | $428 |
| 159 | Napa | $424 |
| 160 | Houston | $423 |
| 161 | Fairfield | $423 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 363 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 360 | North Richland Hills | $1,962 |
| 361 | Janesville | $1,949 |
| 362 | Eugene | $1,944 |
| 363 | Fresno | $1,943 |
| 364 | Boulder | $1,940 |
| 365 | Redwood City | $1,931 |
| 366 | Savannah | $1,931 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 488 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 485 | Topeka | 36.6% |
| 486 | Arcadia | 36.5% |
| 487 | Dunwoody | 36.5% |
| 488 | Fresno | 36.5% |
| 489 | Vacaville | 36.4% |
| 490 | Conroe | 36.2% |
| 491 | Escondido | 36.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Fresno ranks 210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 207 | Madison | 26.4% |
| 208 | Loveland | 26.4% |
| 209 | Evanston | 26.4% |
| 210 | Fresno | 26.4% |
| 211 | Cambridge | 26.3% |
| 212 | Jacksonville | 26.3% |
| 213 | Mesa | 26.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Casper | $2,776 |
| 302 | Corvallis | $2,774 |
| 303 | Corpus Christi | $2,770 |
| 304 | Fresno | $2,769 |
| 305 | Raleigh | $2,767 |
| 306 | Waterloo | $2,762 |
| 307 | Council Bluffs | $2,759 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno 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 spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 225 | Spokane | $3,116 |
| 226 | Pembroke Pines | $3,111 |
| 227 | Dearborn | $3,102 |
| 228 | Fresno | $3,081 |
| 229 | Athens | $3,079 |
| 230 | Medford | $3,068 |
| 231 | Westminster | $3,061 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 353 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 350 | Rock Hill | $972 |
| 351 | Hoffman Estates | $971 |
| 352 | Bryan | $970 |
| 353 | Fresno | $969 |
| 354 | Orange | $968 |
| 355 | Springfield | $968 |
| 356 | Fargo | $967 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 155 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 152 | Hartford | $473 |
| 153 | New Orleans | $472 |
| 154 | Everett | $468 |
| 155 | Fresno | $464 |
| 156 | Savannah | $460 |
| 157 | Orange | $459 |
| 158 | Rockford | $459 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 350 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 347 | Bozeman | $1,843 |
| 348 | Warwick | $1,843 |
| 349 | Redwood City | $1,841 |
| 350 | Fresno | $1,839 |
| 351 | St. Louis Park | $1,791 |
| 352 | Bellevue | $1,779 |
| 353 | Daytona Beach | $1,772 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 434 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 431 | Millcreek | 34.5% |
| 432 | Corona | 34.4% |
| 433 | Lincoln | 34.3% |
| 434 | Fresno | 34.2% |
| 435 | Bloomington | 34.2% |
| 436 | Colton | 33.9% |
| 437 | Chula Vista | 33.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Fresno ranks 192 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Sioux City | 25.6% |
| 190 | Fayetteville | 25.6% |
| 191 | Portland | 25.5% |
| 192 | Fresno | 25.4% |
| 193 | Columbia | 25.3% |
| 194 | Rochester | 25.3% |
| 195 | Dearborn | 25.2% |
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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.