Government budget and revenue in Great Falls, Montana: official figures
Great Falls' city government took in $127.27 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,108 for each of its 60,382 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 125th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Great Falls spend and on what?
It spent $99.06 million in the same year, $1,641 per resident, the 63rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (18.5%), the water utility (16.8%) and parks and recreation (13.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Great Falls collect per resident?
Taxes raised $33.55 million ($556 per resident, the 23rd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 30.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Great Falls rely on?
Of Great Falls' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 92.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Great Falls' property tax share is the 82nd 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 Great Falls get?
Payments from other governments made up 29.1% of Great Falls' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 15.1% from the federal government ($279 per resident), 13.9% 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 Great Falls raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $26.80 million, 24.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $15.81 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Great Falls spend on police?
Great Falls' city government spent $12.18 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $202 per resident (the 43rd lowest of 582) and 12.3% 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 Great Falls spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $6.87 million, $114 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Great Falls have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Great Falls' city government owed $48.66 million in long-term debt, $806 per resident (the 102nd lowest of 582). During the year it issued $645,000 of new long-term debt and repaid $12.72 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Great Falls pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.62 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Great Falls city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 25.3% from $1,682 to $2,108, spending per resident rose 30.4% to $1,641, taxes per resident rose 16.5% to $556.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Great Falls 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))
Great Falls ranks 591 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 588 | Greenwood | $1,684 |
| 589 | Walnut Creek | $1,683 |
| 590 | Broken Arrow | $1,683 |
| 591 | Great Falls | $1,682 |
| 592 | Davie | $1,680 |
| 593 | Aurora | $1,680 |
| 594 | Perris | $1,675 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls ranks 661 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 658 | Sandy Springs | $1,265 |
| 659 | Wichita | $1,261 |
| 660 | Apple Valley | $1,260 |
| 661 | Great Falls | $1,258 |
| 662 | Woodbury | $1,253 |
| 663 | San Jacinto | $1,247 |
| 664 | Fort Wayne | $1,241 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls 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 taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 694 | Warner Robins | $501 |
| 695 | Millcreek | $483 |
| 696 | Homestead | $479 |
| 697 | Great Falls | $477 |
| 698 | Kentwood | $471 |
| 699 | Johns Creek | $470 |
| 700 | Jurupa Valley | $469 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls ranks 387 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 384 | Bothell | $308 |
| 385 | Omaha | $308 |
| 386 | Brockton | $308 |
| 387 | Great Falls | $308 |
| 388 | Paterson | $307 |
| 389 | Hialeah | $307 |
| 390 | Turlock | $307 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls ranks 504 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | Largo | $1,197 |
| 502 | Delano | $1,195 |
| 503 | Kenner | $1,192 |
| 504 | Great Falls | $1,186 |
| 505 | Marietta | $1,183 |
| 506 | Glendale | $1,180 |
| 507 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $1,180 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls ranks 106 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | Revere | 91.1% |
| 104 | Wyoming | 91.0% |
| 105 | Kalamazoo | 90.7% |
| 106 | Great Falls | 90.6% |
| 107 | Blaine | 90.5% |
| 108 | Madison | 90.5% |
| 109 | Minnetonka | 90.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Great Falls ranks 232 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 229 | Anaheim | 25.0% |
| 230 | Fairfield | 25.0% |
| 231 | Grand Rapids | 24.9% |
| 232 | Great Falls | 24.9% |
| 233 | Lancaster | 24.6% |
| 234 | Fayetteville | 24.6% |
| 235 | Hammond | 24.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Lauderhill | $2,121 |
| 456 | Plainfield | $2,113 |
| 457 | Wichita | $2,109 |
| 458 | Great Falls | $2,108 |
| 459 | Marysville | $2,100 |
| 460 | Coral Springs | $2,098 |
| 461 | Rio Rancho | $2,095 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 520 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 517 | San Bernardino | $1,666 |
| 518 | Woodbury | $1,649 |
| 519 | Lorain | $1,642 |
| 520 | Great Falls | $1,641 |
| 521 | Chico | $1,637 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $1,630 |
| 523 | Apple Valley | $1,627 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 560 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 557 | Blaine | $570 |
| 558 | Westland | $562 |
| 559 | Wyoming | $558 |
| 560 | Great Falls | $556 |
| 561 | Gulfport | $545 |
| 562 | Las Vegas | $530 |
| 563 | Camden | $516 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 540 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 537 | Rockville | $207 |
| 538 | Union City | $207 |
| 539 | Iowa City | $205 |
| 540 | Great Falls | $202 |
| 541 | Taylor | $200 |
| 542 | Lawrence | $197 |
| 543 | Springfield | $194 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 481 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 478 | Harlingen | $823 |
| 479 | Deerfield Beach | $821 |
| 480 | Palm Beach Gardens | $816 |
| 481 | Great Falls | $806 |
| 482 | Wellington | $802 |
| 483 | Tamarac | $773 |
| 484 | Surprise | $750 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 82 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 79 | Rochester Hills | 93.1% |
| 80 | Wyoming | 92.8% |
| 81 | Ann Arbor | 92.7% |
| 82 | Great Falls | 92.6% |
| 83 | Milwaukee | 92.6% |
| 84 | Everett | 92.6% |
| 85 | Kalamazoo | 92.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Great Falls ranks 149 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 146 | Carson City | 29.4% |
| 147 | La Crosse | 29.3% |
| 148 | Joliet | 29.3% |
| 149 | Great Falls | 29.1% |
| 150 | Skokie | 29.1% |
| 151 | Kenosha | 29.1% |
| 152 | Grand Forks | 28.9% |
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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.