Government budget and revenue in La Crosse, Wisconsin: official figures
La Crosse's city government took in $140.28 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,730 for each of its 51,380 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 269th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does La Crosse spend and on what?
It spent $144.78 million in the same year, $2,818 per resident, the 264th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (16.4%), fire protection (13.6%) and parks and recreation (13.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does La Crosse collect per resident?
Taxes raised $52.93 million ($1,030 per resident, the 269th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 39.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does La Crosse rely on?
Of La Crosse's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 87.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; La Crosse's property tax share is the 115th 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 La Crosse get?
Payments from other governments made up 29.3% of La Crosse's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 7.9% from the federal government ($205 per resident), 17.7% from the state and 3.7% 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 La Crosse raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $26.70 million, 19.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $6.14 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does La Crosse spend on police?
La Crosse's city government spent $15.29 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $298 per resident (the 180th lowest of 582) and 10.6% 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 La Crosse spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $19.75 million, $384 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does La Crosse have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, La Crosse's city government owed $257.18 million in long-term debt, $5,005 per resident (the 88th highest of 582). During the year it issued $63.94 million of new long-term debt and repaid $24.31 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does La Crosse pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $4.40 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 3.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the La Crosse city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 6.9% from $2,554 to $2,730, spending per resident rose 1.5% to $2,818, taxes per resident rose 0.2% to $1,030.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow La Crosse 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))
La Crosse ranks 321 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | Queen Creek | $2,562 |
| 319 | Milpitas | $2,561 |
| 320 | Sandy | $2,557 |
| 321 | La Crosse | $2,554 |
| 322 | Cheyenne | $2,548 |
| 323 | Madison | $2,543 |
| 324 | Tuscaloosa | $2,539 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Stillwater | $2,787 |
| 251 | Miami | $2,780 |
| 252 | San Jose | $2,776 |
| 253 | La Crosse | $2,776 |
| 254 | Conway | $2,772 |
| 255 | St. Paul | $2,770 |
| 256 | Colton | $2,764 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 322 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | Wilmington | $1,034 |
| 320 | Tampa | $1,031 |
| 321 | Apex | $1,030 |
| 322 | La Crosse | $1,029 |
| 323 | Stockton | $1,028 |
| 324 | Duluth | $1,023 |
| 325 | Fort Worth | $1,023 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 502 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 499 | Tamarac | $263 |
| 500 | Springdale | $263 |
| 501 | Livonia | $263 |
| 502 | La Crosse | $263 |
| 503 | Murfreesboro | $262 |
| 504 | Flagstaff | $262 |
| 505 | Corpus Christi | $262 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | New Brunswick | $5,681 |
| 68 | Perris | $5,615 |
| 69 | New Haven | $5,577 |
| 70 | La Crosse | $5,572 |
| 71 | Jacksonville | $5,526 |
| 72 | Houston | $5,508 |
| 73 | Broomfield | $5,430 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Jackson | 89.9% |
| 113 | Missoula | 89.9% |
| 114 | Boise City | 89.3% |
| 115 | La Crosse | 89.3% |
| 116 | Cambridge | 89.2% |
| 117 | Ankeny | 88.6% |
| 118 | Apple Valley | 88.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
La Crosse ranks 97 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Richmond | 35.8% |
| 95 | Battle Creek | 35.8% |
| 96 | Chesapeake | 35.4% |
| 97 | La Crosse | 34.9% |
| 98 | Baltimore | 34.9% |
| 99 | Paterson | 34.7% |
| 100 | Peabody | 34.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 314 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | McKinney | $2,748 |
| 312 | Clarksville | $2,744 |
| 313 | Rockford | $2,733 |
| 314 | La Crosse | $2,730 |
| 315 | Pittsburgh | $2,729 |
| 316 | Auburn | $2,726 |
| 317 | Lenexa | $2,721 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 264 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 261 | North Port | $2,848 |
| 262 | Columbia | $2,845 |
| 263 | Augusta | $2,844 |
| 264 | La Crosse | $2,818 |
| 265 | Pasco | $2,814 |
| 266 | Fairfield | $2,811 |
| 267 | Sioux Falls | $2,810 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 314 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 311 | Hamilton | $1,036 |
| 312 | Concord | $1,035 |
| 313 | Oak Park | $1,030 |
| 314 | La Crosse | $1,030 |
| 315 | Tucson | $1,029 |
| 316 | Iowa City | $1,029 |
| 317 | Fayetteville | $1,026 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse 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 spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Cape Coral | $299 |
| 401 | Surprise | $298 |
| 402 | Perth Amboy | $298 |
| 403 | La Crosse | $298 |
| 404 | Bowling Green | $297 |
| 405 | Spokane Valley | $297 |
| 406 | Westland | $297 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 88 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Sugar Land | $5,052 |
| 86 | Oak Park | $5,043 |
| 87 | Madison | $5,021 |
| 88 | La Crosse | $5,005 |
| 89 | Lubbock | $4,971 |
| 90 | Worcester | $4,965 |
| 91 | Lynchburg | $4,940 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Maple Grove | 88.2% |
| 113 | Cambridge | 87.9% |
| 114 | Schenectady | 87.4% |
| 115 | La Crosse | 87.2% |
| 116 | Westfield | 86.4% |
| 117 | Rochester | 85.2% |
| 118 | Plymouth | 84.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
La Crosse ranks 147 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 144 | Appleton | 29.7% |
| 145 | Reno | 29.5% |
| 146 | Carson City | 29.4% |
| 147 | La Crosse | 29.3% |
| 148 | Joliet | 29.3% |
| 149 | Great Falls | 29.1% |
| 150 | Skokie | 29.1% |
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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.