Government budget and revenue in Iowa City, Iowa: official figures
Iowa City's city government took in $174.82 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,324 for each of its 75,233 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 177th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Iowa City spend and on what?
It spent $163.45 million in the same year, $2,173 per resident, the 170th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were housing and community development (10.9%), sewerage (9.8%) and police (9.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Iowa City collect per resident?
Taxes raised $77.40 million ($1,029 per resident, the 267th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 47.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Iowa City rely on?
Of Iowa City's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 91.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 4.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Iowa City's property tax share is the 92nd 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 Iowa City get?
Payments from other governments made up 21.2% of Iowa City's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 13.4% from the federal government ($290 per resident), 7.3% 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 Iowa City raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.80 million, 22.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $11.92 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Iowa City spend on police?
Iowa City's city government spent $15.43 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $205 per resident (the 44th lowest of 582) and 9.4% 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 Iowa City spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $9.88 million, $131 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Iowa City have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Iowa City's city government owed $64.78 million in long-term debt, $861 per resident (the 116th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $10.93 million of new long-term debt and repaid $14.19 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Iowa City pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.21 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Iowa City city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 2.5% from $2,384 to $2,324, spending per resident rose 17.5% to $2,173, taxes per resident rose 2.3% to $1,029.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Iowa City 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))
Iowa City ranks 360 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 357 | Santa Maria | $2,397 |
| 358 | Oak Park | $2,396 |
| 359 | Smyrna | $2,393 |
| 360 | Iowa City | $2,384 |
| 361 | Bloomington | $2,379 |
| 362 | Rockford | $2,375 |
| 363 | Casper | $2,364 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 478 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 475 | Downers Grove | $1,852 |
| 476 | Miramar | $1,852 |
| 477 | Plymouth | $1,851 |
| 478 | Iowa City | $1,848 |
| 479 | Pasco | $1,843 |
| 480 | Franklin | $1,841 |
| 481 | Corvallis | $1,841 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 332 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Perris | $1,010 |
| 330 | Plantation | $1,007 |
| 331 | Rockville | $1,007 |
| 332 | Iowa City | $1,005 |
| 333 | Owensboro | $1,002 |
| 334 | Overland Park | $1,001 |
| 335 | Raleigh | $1,000 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 686 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 683 | Lincoln | $185 |
| 684 | O'Fallon | $185 |
| 685 | Owensboro | $182 |
| 686 | Iowa City | $182 |
| 687 | Ankeny | $181 |
| 688 | Taylor | $179 |
| 689 | Cary | $172 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 553 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 550 | Vacaville | $968 |
| 551 | Mission Viejo | $967 |
| 552 | Plainfield | $963 |
| 553 | Iowa City | $959 |
| 554 | Tamarac | $950 |
| 555 | Pasadena | $944 |
| 556 | Manteca | $943 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 95 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Lawrence | 92.2% |
| 93 | Newark | 92.1% |
| 94 | Boston | 92.0% |
| 95 | Iowa City | 91.7% |
| 96 | Evansville | 91.7% |
| 97 | Rochester Hills | 91.6% |
| 98 | Waltham | 91.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Iowa City ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Lake Havasu City | 31.5% |
| 141 | Melbourne | 31.2% |
| 142 | Somerville | 31.2% |
| 143 | Iowa City | 31.1% |
| 144 | Elgin | 30.8% |
| 145 | Salem | 30.7% |
| 146 | Council Bluffs | 30.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City 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 government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 403 | Kent | $2,330 |
| 404 | Huntington Beach | $2,329 |
| 405 | St. Louis Park | $2,325 |
| 406 | Iowa City | $2,324 |
| 407 | West Allis | $2,323 |
| 408 | Shoreline | $2,315 |
| 409 | Cary | $2,299 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 413 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 410 | Henderson | $2,178 |
| 411 | Little Elm | $2,177 |
| 412 | Alpharetta | $2,173 |
| 413 | Iowa City | $2,173 |
| 414 | Eau Claire | $2,172 |
| 415 | Visalia | $2,171 |
| 416 | Santa Maria | $2,170 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 313 | Oak Park | $1,030 |
| 314 | La Crosse | $1,030 |
| 315 | Tucson | $1,029 |
| 316 | Iowa City | $1,029 |
| 317 | Fayetteville | $1,026 |
| 318 | Turlock | $1,025 |
| 319 | Sunrise | $1,024 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 539 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 536 | Owensboro | $208 |
| 537 | Rockville | $207 |
| 538 | Union City | $207 |
| 539 | Iowa City | $205 |
| 540 | Great Falls | $202 |
| 541 | Taylor | $200 |
| 542 | Lawrence | $197 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 467 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 464 | Albany | $866 |
| 465 | Parker | $864 |
| 466 | Hanford | $861 |
| 467 | Iowa City | $861 |
| 468 | Las Vegas | $860 |
| 469 | Springfield | $855 |
| 470 | Farmington Hills | $854 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Blaine | 91.7% |
| 90 | Southaven | 91.6% |
| 91 | Portland | 91.2% |
| 92 | Iowa City | 91.1% |
| 93 | Newark | 91.0% |
| 94 | Vineland | 90.8% |
| 95 | Janesville | 90.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Iowa City ranks 251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 248 | Missoula | 21.4% |
| 249 | Scottsdale | 21.4% |
| 250 | Hoffman Estates | 21.3% |
| 251 | Iowa City | 21.2% |
| 252 | Atlanta | 21.1% |
| 253 | Southfield | 21.1% |
| 254 | Sterling Heights | 21.1% |
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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.