Government budget and revenue in Galveston, Texas: official figures
Galveston's city government took in $328.22 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $6,183 for each of its 53,089 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 56th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Galveston spend and on what?
It spent $326.08 million in the same year, $6,142 per resident, the 69th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were ports and waterways (24.7%), parks and recreation (16.2%) and police (11.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Galveston collect per resident?
Taxes raised $137.36 million ($2,587 per resident, the 39th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 45.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Galveston rely on?
Of Galveston's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 31.9%, general sales tax 22.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 43.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Galveston's property tax share is the 135th 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 Galveston get?
Payments from other governments made up 12.3% of Galveston's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 6.0% from the federal government ($338 per resident), 0.8% from the state and 5.5% 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 Galveston raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $107.00 million, 35.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $26.51 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Galveston spend on police?
Galveston's city government spent $36.33 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $684 per resident (the 37th highest of 582) and 11.1% 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 Galveston spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $18.42 million, $347 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Galveston have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Galveston's city government owed $310.50 million in long-term debt, $5,849 per resident (the 61st highest of 582). During the year it issued $117.45 million of new long-term debt and repaid $24.54 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Galveston pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $13.13 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 4.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Galveston city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 40.4% from $4,404 to $6,183, spending per resident rose 37.9% to $6,142, taxes per resident rose 25.7% to $2,587.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Galveston 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))
Galveston ranks 112 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 109 | Bayonne | $4,433 |
| 110 | Cranston | $4,425 |
| 111 | Syracuse | $4,416 |
| 112 | Galveston | $4,404 |
| 113 | Pawtucket | $4,400 |
| 114 | Redding | $4,374 |
| 115 | Bellevue | $4,347 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Lynchburg | $4,525 |
| 109 | Springfield | $4,515 |
| 110 | Roseville | $4,492 |
| 111 | Galveston | $4,455 |
| 112 | Redding | $4,426 |
| 113 | Cranston | $4,408 |
| 114 | Fort Lauderdale | $4,377 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 72 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Commerce City | $2,076 |
| 70 | Cincinnati | $2,074 |
| 71 | Portsmouth | $2,063 |
| 72 | Galveston | $2,058 |
| 73 | Worcester | $2,051 |
| 74 | Haverhill | $2,029 |
| 75 | Portland | $2,021 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 117 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Redlands | $460 |
| 115 | Troy | $460 |
| 116 | Carlsbad | $459 |
| 117 | Galveston | $458 |
| 118 | Stockton | $456 |
| 119 | Bloomington | $456 |
| 120 | Reading | $455 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 107 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Oak Park | $4,607 |
| 105 | Corpus Christi | $4,578 |
| 106 | New Britain | $4,578 |
| 107 | Galveston | $4,574 |
| 108 | Commerce City | $4,562 |
| 109 | Cleveland | $4,560 |
| 110 | Fort Myers | $4,558 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 465 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 462 | Gallatin | 38.5% |
| 463 | Gilroy | 38.4% |
| 464 | Walnut Creek | 38.4% |
| 465 | Galveston | 38.4% |
| 466 | Kenner | 38.3% |
| 467 | North Port | 38.2% |
| 468 | Irvine | 38.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Galveston ranks 573 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 570 | Palm Beach Gardens | 10.6% |
| 571 | South Jordan | 10.5% |
| 572 | Port Orange | 10.5% |
| 573 | Galveston | 10.5% |
| 574 | Moore | 10.5% |
| 575 | Yorba Linda | 10.4% |
| 576 | Miami Beach | 10.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 56 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Everett | $6,233 |
| 54 | Long Beach | $6,231 |
| 55 | Peabody | $6,214 |
| 56 | Galveston | $6,183 |
| 57 | Santa Barbara | $6,155 |
| 58 | Suffolk | $6,117 |
| 59 | Roseville | $6,082 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 69 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 66 | Anchorage | $6,210 |
| 67 | Gainesville | $6,165 |
| 68 | Lynchburg | $6,143 |
| 69 | Galveston | $6,142 |
| 70 | Tacoma | $6,121 |
| 71 | Denton | $6,109 |
| 72 | Stamford | $6,023 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Newport News | $2,615 |
| 37 | Anchorage | $2,611 |
| 38 | Weymouth Town | $2,606 |
| 39 | Galveston | $2,587 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $2,574 |
| 41 | Oakland | $2,550 |
| 42 | Harrisonburg | $2,507 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Hollywood | $702 |
| 35 | Long Beach | $700 |
| 36 | Burbank | $687 |
| 37 | Galveston | $684 |
| 38 | Santa Clara | $673 |
| 39 | Orlando | $671 |
| 40 | Albany | $669 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 61 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Arlington | $5,997 |
| 59 | Portsmouth | $5,985 |
| 60 | Roseville | $5,919 |
| 61 | Galveston | $5,849 |
| 62 | Garland | $5,818 |
| 63 | White Plains | $5,766 |
| 64 | Charlotte | $5,740 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 446 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 443 | Lee's Summit | 32.2% |
| 444 | Little Rock | 32.1% |
| 445 | Glendale | 32.0% |
| 446 | Galveston | 31.9% |
| 447 | Inglewood | 31.7% |
| 448 | Lebanon | 31.5% |
| 449 | Normal | 31.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Galveston ranks 407 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 404 | North Richland Hills | 12.5% |
| 405 | Richland | 12.4% |
| 406 | Canton | 12.4% |
| 407 | Galveston | 12.3% |
| 408 | Bellevue | 12.3% |
| 409 | Waco | 12.2% |
| 410 | Killeen | 12.2% |
More on Galveston: 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.