Government budget and revenue in Kent, Washington: official figures
Kent's city government took in $313.09 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,330 for each of its 134,392 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 180th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Kent spend and on what?
It spent $261.22 million in the same year, $1,944 per resident, the 121st lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (20.5%), police (20.1%) and roads and highways (12.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Kent collect per resident?
Taxes raised $149.96 million ($1,116 per resident, the 267th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 52.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Kent rely on?
Of Kent's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 22.5%, general sales tax 29.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 27.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Kent's property tax share is the 79th 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 Kent get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.0% of Kent's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 2.5% from the federal government ($54 per resident), 7.8% from the state and 2.7% 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 Kent raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $75.91 million, 26.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $26.88 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Kent spend on police?
Kent's city government spent $52.50 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $391 per resident (the 233rd highest of 582) and 20.1% 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 Kent spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $2.91 million, $22 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Kent have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Kent's city government owed $118.91 million in long-term debt, $885 per resident (the 121st lowest of 582). During the year it issued $40.66 million of new long-term debt and repaid $49.55 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Kent pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.81 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Kent city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 2.9% from $2,264 to $2,330, spending per resident rose 11.5% to $1,944, taxes per resident rose 1.2% to $1,116.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Kent 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))
Kent ranks 393 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 390 | Manteca | $2,278 |
| 391 | Fairfield | $2,276 |
| 392 | Auburn | $2,272 |
| 393 | Kent | $2,264 |
| 394 | Lehi | $2,252 |
| 395 | Amarillo | $2,242 |
| 396 | Davenport | $2,242 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 508 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 505 | Rancho Cordova | $1,749 |
| 506 | Midwest City | $1,747 |
| 507 | Lexington | $1,745 |
| 508 | Kent | $1,743 |
| 509 | Burleson | $1,742 |
| 510 | Pittsburg | $1,739 |
| 511 | Yuba City | $1,736 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 281 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 278 | Glendale | $1,109 |
| 279 | Carrollton | $1,108 |
| 280 | Norman | $1,107 |
| 281 | Kent | $1,103 |
| 282 | Topeka | $1,102 |
| 283 | Grand Prairie | $1,099 |
| 284 | Bloomington | $1,098 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 366 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 363 | Worcester | $317 |
| 364 | Madison | $317 |
| 365 | Pinellas Park | $316 |
| 366 | Kent | $316 |
| 367 | Salt Lake City | $316 |
| 368 | Fayetteville | $316 |
| 369 | Bradenton | $316 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 533 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | Idaho Falls | $1,053 |
| 531 | Chandler | $1,053 |
| 532 | Coon Rapids | $1,048 |
| 533 | Kent | $1,048 |
| 534 | Shoreline | $1,045 |
| 535 | Victoria | $1,038 |
| 536 | Parker | $1,038 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 633 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 630 | Eastvale | 22.4% |
| 631 | Buckeye | 22.3% |
| 632 | Hawthorne | 22.3% |
| 633 | Kent | 22.2% |
| 634 | National City | 22.2% |
| 635 | Bellingham | 22.1% |
| 636 | Aurora | 22.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Kent ranks 383 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 380 | Newton | 16.9% |
| 381 | Los Angeles | 16.9% |
| 382 | Tinley Park | 16.9% |
| 383 | Kent | 16.9% |
| 384 | Layton | 16.9% |
| 385 | Fort Pierce | 16.9% |
| 386 | Denver | 16.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 403 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Jersey City | $2,339 |
| 401 | Kenosha | $2,336 |
| 402 | Albany | $2,336 |
| 403 | Kent | $2,330 |
| 404 | Huntington Beach | $2,329 |
| 405 | St. Louis Park | $2,325 |
| 406 | Iowa City | $2,324 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 462 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 459 | Camden | $1,955 |
| 460 | Westfield | $1,953 |
| 461 | Champaign | $1,951 |
| 462 | Kent | $1,944 |
| 463 | Commerce City | $1,928 |
| 464 | Sandy Springs | $1,911 |
| 465 | St. Cloud | $1,911 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 267 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 264 | Overland Park | $1,124 |
| 265 | High Point | $1,120 |
| 266 | Shoreline | $1,118 |
| 267 | Kent | $1,116 |
| 268 | Clifton | $1,115 |
| 269 | Richland | $1,114 |
| 270 | Phoenix | $1,113 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 233 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | Warren | $391 |
| 231 | Tulsa | $391 |
| 232 | Greenville | $391 |
| 233 | Kent | $391 |
| 234 | Lake Havasu City | $390 |
| 235 | Waterbury | $389 |
| 236 | Gary | $389 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 462 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 459 | Miami | $893 |
| 460 | West Haven | $892 |
| 461 | Salinas | $888 |
| 462 | Kent | $885 |
| 463 | Avondale | $874 |
| 464 | Albany | $866 |
| 465 | Parker | $864 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 502 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 499 | Grapevine | 23.3% |
| 500 | Visalia | 22.9% |
| 501 | Madison | 22.8% |
| 502 | Kent | 22.5% |
| 503 | Salinas | 22.1% |
| 504 | Buckeye | 22.1% |
| 505 | Spokane Valley | 22.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Kent ranks 392 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 389 | Davie | 13.0% |
| 390 | El Paso | 13.0% |
| 391 | Topeka | 13.0% |
| 392 | Kent | 13.0% |
| 393 | Wake Forest | 13.0% |
| 394 | Miramar | 13.0% |
| 395 | Meridian | 12.9% |
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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.