Government budget and revenue in Lakeland, Florida: official figures
Lakeland's city government took in $758.77 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $6,319 for each of its 120,071 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 50th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lakeland spend and on what?
It spent $747.02 million in the same year, $6,222 per resident, the 65th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the electric utility (41.2%), financial administration (19.0%) and police (7.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lakeland collect per resident?
Taxes raised $82.56 million ($688 per resident, the 69th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 25.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lakeland rely on?
Of Lakeland's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 61.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 32.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lakeland's property tax share is the 240th 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 Lakeland get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.5% of Lakeland's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 2.4% from the federal government ($65 per resident), 5.3% from the state and 5.8% 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 Lakeland raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $95.14 million, 29.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $431.37 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lakeland spend on police?
Lakeland's city government spent $58.86 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $490 per resident (the 131st highest of 582) and 7.9% 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 Lakeland spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $24.06 million, $200 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lakeland have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Lakeland's city government owed $725.90 million in long-term debt, $6,046 per resident (the 56th highest of 582). During the year it issued $155.03 million of new long-term debt and repaid $128.25 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lakeland pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $20.89 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 2.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lakeland city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 7.4% from $5,887 to $6,319, spending per resident rose 0.4% to $6,222, taxes per resident rose 4.6% to $688.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lakeland 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))
Lakeland ranks 52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Yonkers | $5,925 |
| 50 | Waltham | $5,902 |
| 51 | Long Beach | $5,892 |
| 52 | Lakeland | $5,887 |
| 53 | Ames | $5,846 |
| 54 | Norfolk | $5,837 |
| 55 | Anchorage | $5,806 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 46 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Waltham | $6,251 |
| 44 | Harrisonburg | $6,246 |
| 45 | Norwalk | $6,244 |
| 46 | Lakeland | $6,197 |
| 47 | Suffolk | $6,185 |
| 48 | Mountain View | $6,167 |
| 49 | Stamford | $6,149 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 622 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 619 | Fayetteville | $660 |
| 620 | North Port | $660 |
| 621 | Milwaukee | $659 |
| 622 | Lakeland | $657 |
| 623 | Draper | $655 |
| 624 | Greenville | $654 |
| 625 | Gresham | $653 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 227 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 224 | Flint | $378 |
| 225 | Fountain Valley | $378 |
| 226 | Coconut Creek | $378 |
| 227 | Lakeland | $377 |
| 228 | Miami Gardens | $377 |
| 229 | Mount Prospect | $376 |
| 230 | Burlington | $376 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Lansing | $8,494 |
| 25 | Dallas | $8,280 |
| 26 | Owensboro | $8,229 |
| 27 | Lakeland | $8,007 |
| 28 | Portland | $7,860 |
| 29 | Redondo Beach | $7,855 |
| 30 | Carmel | $7,823 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 252 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 249 | Leander | 61.8% |
| 250 | Nashville | 61.7% |
| 251 | Gastonia | 61.6% |
| 252 | Lakeland | 61.6% |
| 253 | Ocoee | 61.6% |
| 254 | Rock Hill | 61.5% |
| 255 | Raleigh | 61.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakeland ranks 472 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 469 | Folsom | 14.1% |
| 470 | Temecula | 14.1% |
| 471 | Vacaville | 14.0% |
| 472 | Lakeland | 14.0% |
| 473 | Warner Robins | 13.9% |
| 474 | West Covina | 13.9% |
| 475 | Whittier | 13.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 50 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Tacoma | $6,442 |
| 48 | Ocala | $6,433 |
| 49 | Atlanta | $6,401 |
| 50 | Lakeland | $6,319 |
| 51 | Framingham | $6,303 |
| 52 | Buffalo | $6,252 |
| 53 | Everett | $6,233 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Ames | $6,272 |
| 63 | Baton Rouge | $6,268 |
| 64 | Roseville | $6,264 |
| 65 | Lakeland | $6,222 |
| 66 | Anchorage | $6,210 |
| 67 | Gainesville | $6,165 |
| 68 | Lynchburg | $6,143 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 514 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 511 | Federal Way | $695 |
| 512 | Modesto | $694 |
| 513 | South Gate | $689 |
| 514 | Lakeland | $688 |
| 515 | Woodbury | $685 |
| 516 | Gainesville | $682 |
| 517 | Idaho Falls | $681 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | San Diego | $491 |
| 129 | Vancouver | $490 |
| 130 | Coconut Creek | $490 |
| 131 | Lakeland | $490 |
| 132 | Worcester | $490 |
| 133 | Portsmouth | $489 |
| 134 | Seattle | $489 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 56 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Santa Monica | $6,273 |
| 54 | Bryan | $6,213 |
| 55 | Yonkers | $6,124 |
| 56 | Lakeland | $6,046 |
| 57 | Berwyn | $6,026 |
| 58 | Arlington | $5,997 |
| 59 | Portsmouth | $5,985 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Carrollton | 61.4% |
| 238 | Fort Wayne | 61.4% |
| 239 | Wichita Falls | 61.3% |
| 240 | Lakeland | 61.0% |
| 241 | Lauderhill | 61.0% |
| 242 | North Miami | 60.8% |
| 243 | Chicago | 60.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakeland ranks 376 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 373 | San Bernardino | 13.6% |
| 374 | Ocala | 13.5% |
| 375 | Fontana | 13.5% |
| 376 | Lakeland | 13.5% |
| 377 | Lubbock | 13.4% |
| 378 | Boca Raton | 13.4% |
| 379 | Columbus | 13.3% |
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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.