Government budget and revenue in Harlingen, Texas: official figures
Harlingen's city government took in $159.83 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $2,230 for each of its 71,678 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 155th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Harlingen spend and on what?
It spent $148.79 million in the same year, $2,076 per resident, the 152nd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were airports (24.4%), police (11.8%) and the water utility (8.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Harlingen collect per resident?
Taxes raised $63.54 million ($886 per resident, the 177th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 42.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Harlingen rely on?
Of Harlingen's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 38.3%, general sales tax 52.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Harlingen's property tax share is the 179th 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 Harlingen get?
Payments from other governments made up 25.7% of Harlingen's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 21.8% from the federal government ($452 per resident), 2.3% from the state and 1.6% 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 Harlingen raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.80 million, 24.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $11.21 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Harlingen spend on police?
Harlingen's city government spent $17.55 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $245 per resident (the 88th lowest of 582) and 11.8% 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 Harlingen spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $11.61 million, $162 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Harlingen have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Harlingen's city government owed $58.98 million in long-term debt, $823 per resident (the 105th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $6.21 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Harlingen pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.34 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 1.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Harlingen city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 12.4% from $1,984 to $2,230, spending per resident rose 9.0% to $2,076, taxes per resident rose 0.1% to $886.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Harlingen 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))
Harlingen ranks 484 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 481 | Tigard | $1,991 |
| 482 | Weston | $1,987 |
| 483 | Fountain Valley | $1,986 |
| 484 | Harlingen | $1,984 |
| 485 | Deerfield Beach | $1,983 |
| 486 | Pittsburg | $1,982 |
| 487 | Midwest City | $1,979 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 452 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 449 | St. Charles | $1,916 |
| 450 | Orange | $1,915 |
| 451 | Santa Maria | $1,906 |
| 452 | Harlingen | $1,904 |
| 453 | Frederick | $1,901 |
| 454 | St. Cloud | $1,897 |
| 455 | Erie | $1,892 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 435 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 432 | Monterey Park | $891 |
| 433 | Albuquerque | $887 |
| 434 | West Haven | $886 |
| 435 | Harlingen | $885 |
| 436 | Athens | $884 |
| 437 | Chandler | $884 |
| 438 | Davie | $883 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 477 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 474 | Pocatello | $275 |
| 475 | Durham | $275 |
| 476 | St. Cloud | $275 |
| 477 | Harlingen | $273 |
| 478 | Lake Charles | $272 |
| 479 | Ann Arbor | $272 |
| 480 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $271 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 522 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 519 | Rocklin | $1,113 |
| 520 | Bellingham | $1,105 |
| 521 | San Clemente | $1,097 |
| 522 | Harlingen | $1,092 |
| 523 | Bloomington | $1,091 |
| 524 | Cheyenne | $1,085 |
| 525 | Fountain Valley | $1,082 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 449 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 446 | Orange | 40.1% |
| 447 | Grand Island | 40.1% |
| 448 | Reading | 39.9% |
| 449 | Harlingen | 39.9% |
| 450 | West Sacramento | 39.8% |
| 451 | West Covina | 39.8% |
| 452 | Folsom | 39.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harlingen ranks 250 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 247 | Modesto | 23.4% |
| 248 | Apopka | 23.3% |
| 249 | Chula Vista | 23.2% |
| 250 | Harlingen | 23.0% |
| 251 | Livonia | 22.9% |
| 252 | Janesville | 22.8% |
| 253 | Bloomington | 22.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 428 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 425 | Leander | $2,242 |
| 426 | Burlington | $2,238 |
| 427 | North Richland Hills | $2,231 |
| 428 | Harlingen | $2,230 |
| 429 | Sterling Heights | $2,228 |
| 430 | Tamarac | $2,226 |
| 431 | Janesville | $2,222 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 431 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 428 | Burlington | $2,096 |
| 429 | Warren | $2,085 |
| 430 | Tamarac | $2,079 |
| 431 | Harlingen | $2,076 |
| 432 | Grand Forks | $2,073 |
| 433 | Sanford | $2,066 |
| 434 | Dearborn Heights | $2,062 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 406 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 403 | Thousand Oaks | $891 |
| 404 | Mount Prospect | $889 |
| 405 | Colton | $887 |
| 406 | Harlingen | $886 |
| 407 | St. Clair Shores | $882 |
| 408 | Ankeny | $881 |
| 409 | Lacey | $881 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 495 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Coon Rapids | $253 |
| 493 | Fort Smith | $247 |
| 494 | Kannapolis | $246 |
| 495 | Harlingen | $245 |
| 496 | Killeen | $244 |
| 497 | Lake Forest | $244 |
| 498 | Cary | $244 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 478 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 475 | Vancouver | $846 |
| 476 | Miami Gardens | $841 |
| 477 | Kirkland | $832 |
| 478 | Harlingen | $823 |
| 479 | Deerfield Beach | $821 |
| 480 | Palm Beach Gardens | $816 |
| 481 | Great Falls | $806 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 402 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 399 | Redlands | 38.8% |
| 400 | North Port | 38.4% |
| 401 | Santa Clarita | 38.4% |
| 402 | Harlingen | 38.3% |
| 403 | Cheyenne | 38.3% |
| 404 | Lynwood | 38.0% |
| 405 | Sherman | 37.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harlingen ranks 186 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 183 | Smyrna | 25.8% |
| 184 | Kokomo | 25.8% |
| 185 | New York | 25.8% |
| 186 | Harlingen | 25.7% |
| 187 | Grand Rapids | 25.7% |
| 188 | Camden | 25.6% |
| 189 | Sioux City | 25.6% |
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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.