Government budget and revenue in Harrisonburg, Virginia: official figures
Harrisonburg's city government took in $349.82 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $6,838 for each of its 51,158 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 36th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Harrisonburg spend and on what?
It spent $370.75 million in the same year, $7,247 per resident, the 43rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (35.7%), the electric utility (18.3%) and police (4.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Harrisonburg collect per resident?
Taxes raised $128.24 million ($2,507 per resident, the 42nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 49.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Harrisonburg rely on?
Of Harrisonburg's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 57.7%, general sales tax 14.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 20.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Harrisonburg's property tax share is the 264th 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 Harrisonburg get?
Payments from other governments made up 34.9% of Harrisonburg's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 3.2% from the federal government ($163 per resident), 30.8% from the state and 0.9% 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 Harrisonburg raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $23.47 million, 9.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $89.06 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Harrisonburg spend on police?
Harrisonburg's city government spent $16.71 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $327 per resident (the 233rd lowest of 582) and 4.5% 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 Harrisonburg spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $11.93 million, $233 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Harrisonburg city government run the schools?
Harrisonburg's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $132.37 million, 35.7% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Harrisonburg have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Harrisonburg's city government owed $246.88 million in long-term debt, $4,826 per resident (the 94th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $5.15 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Harrisonburg pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $8.73 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Harrisonburg city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 0.2% from $6,851 to $6,838, spending per resident rose 16.0% to $7,247, taxes per resident fell 26.8% to $2,507.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Harrisonburg 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))
Harrisonburg ranks 22 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Newton | $7,010 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $6,996 |
| 21 | Denver | $6,871 |
| 22 | Harrisonburg | $6,851 |
| 23 | Seattle | $6,816 |
| 24 | Taunton | $6,757 |
| 25 | Portland | $6,629 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 44 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Bristol | $6,390 |
| 42 | Quincy | $6,309 |
| 43 | Waltham | $6,251 |
| 44 | Harrisonburg | $6,246 |
| 45 | Norwalk | $6,244 |
| 46 | Lakeland | $6,197 |
| 47 | Suffolk | $6,185 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Norwalk | $4,057 |
| 12 | Waltham | $3,773 |
| 13 | Nashville | $3,656 |
| 14 | Harrisonburg | $3,425 |
| 15 | Barnstable Town | $3,360 |
| 16 | Baltimore | $3,307 |
| 17 | Mountain View | $3,159 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 539 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 536 | Laguna Niguel | $251 |
| 537 | Camarillo | $251 |
| 538 | New Britain | $250 |
| 539 | Harrisonburg | $249 |
| 540 | Manchester | $249 |
| 541 | Billings | $248 |
| 542 | Burien | $248 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 75 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Houston | $5,508 |
| 73 | Broomfield | $5,430 |
| 74 | Rock Hill | $5,402 |
| 75 | Harrisonburg | $5,346 |
| 76 | Huntsville | $5,324 |
| 77 | Garland | $5,323 |
| 78 | Pflugerville | $5,307 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 162 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | Palm Coast | 72.7% |
| 160 | Eugene | 72.5% |
| 161 | Kingsport | 72.0% |
| 162 | Harrisonburg | 72.0% |
| 163 | Portsmouth | 71.9% |
| 164 | Newport News | 71.6% |
| 165 | Cape Coral | 71.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Harrisonburg ranks 215 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 212 | Jacksonville | 26.3% |
| 213 | Mesa | 26.3% |
| 214 | Warren | 26.2% |
| 215 | Harrisonburg | 26.1% |
| 216 | Waltham | 26.0% |
| 217 | Burien | 25.9% |
| 218 | Pico Rivera | 25.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Ames | $7,044 |
| 34 | Pasadena | $6,910 |
| 35 | Norfolk | $6,898 |
| 36 | Harrisonburg | $6,838 |
| 37 | Providence | $6,786 |
| 38 | Newport News | $6,757 |
| 39 | New Orleans | $6,740 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 43 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Buffalo | $7,406 |
| 41 | Yonkers | $7,355 |
| 42 | Waterbury | $7,252 |
| 43 | Harrisonburg | $7,247 |
| 44 | Chicopee | $7,180 |
| 45 | Portland | $7,179 |
| 46 | Lowell | $7,075 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 42 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Galveston | $2,587 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $2,574 |
| 41 | Oakland | $2,550 |
| 42 | Harrisonburg | $2,507 |
| 43 | Huntsville | $2,490 |
| 44 | Urban Honolulu | $2,471 |
| 45 | Chicago | $2,452 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg 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 spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 347 | Anderson | $328 |
| 348 | Wake Forest | $328 |
| 349 | Waukesha | $327 |
| 350 | Harrisonburg | $327 |
| 351 | Fort Wayne | $325 |
| 352 | Lenexa | $325 |
| 353 | Casper | $324 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 94 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Lynchburg | $4,940 |
| 92 | Portland | $4,916 |
| 93 | Huntsville | $4,882 |
| 94 | Harrisonburg | $4,826 |
| 95 | Brockton | $4,787 |
| 96 | Salem | $4,785 |
| 97 | Norwalk | $4,765 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 264 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 261 | Pembroke Pines | 58.6% |
| 262 | Alpharetta | 58.3% |
| 263 | Bethlehem | 58.1% |
| 264 | Harrisonburg | 57.7% |
| 265 | Houston | 57.5% |
| 266 | Columbus | 57.5% |
| 267 | Irving | 57.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Harrisonburg ranks 98 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Duluth | 35.2% |
| 96 | Aurora | 35.1% |
| 97 | Richmond | 35.1% |
| 98 | Harrisonburg | 34.9% |
| 99 | Memphis | 34.8% |
| 100 | Peoria | 34.8% |
| 101 | North Port | 34.6% |
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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.