Government budget and revenue in Lakewood, Washington: official figures
Lakewood's city government took in $80.35 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,284 for each of its 62,572 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 16th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lakewood spend and on what?
It spent $82.70 million in the same year, $1,322 per resident, the 28th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (38.7%), roads and highways (20.1%) and parks and recreation (12.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lakewood collect per resident?
Taxes raised $44.69 million ($714 per resident, the 83rd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 55.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lakewood rely on?
Of Lakewood's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 17.4%, general sales tax 37.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 31.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lakewood's property tax share is the 52nd 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 Lakewood get?
Payments from other governments made up 24.0% of Lakewood's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 5.9% from the federal government ($76 per resident), 17.0% from the state and 1.0% 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 Lakewood raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $11.01 million, 13.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lakewood spend on police?
Lakewood's city government spent $32.00 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $511 per resident (the 106th highest of 582) and 38.7% 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 debt does Lakewood have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Lakewood's city government owed $24.17 million in long-term debt, $386 per resident (the 37th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $2.28 million of new long-term debt and repaid $2.88 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lakewood pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $555,000 in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 0.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lakewood city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 12.2% from $1,144 to $1,284, spending per resident rose 31.3% to $1,322, taxes per resident fell 6.3% to $714.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lakewood 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))
Lakewood ranks 703 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 700 | Bowie | $1,193 |
| 701 | Placentia | $1,183 |
| 702 | Johns Creek | $1,146 |
| 703 | Lakewood | $1,144 |
| 704 | Sammamish | $1,133 |
| 705 | Meridian | $1,101 |
| 706 | Kentwood | $1,098 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 702 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 699 | Fishers | $1,029 |
| 700 | Eagle Mountain | $1,020 |
| 701 | Laguna Niguel | $1,011 |
| 702 | Lakewood | $1,006 |
| 703 | Delano | $976 |
| 704 | Sammamish | $969 |
| 705 | Hemet | $950 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 548 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 545 | Cape Coral | $765 |
| 546 | Lafayette | $765 |
| 547 | Novi | $763 |
| 548 | Lakewood | $762 |
| 549 | Lakewood | $762 |
| 550 | Hemet | $758 |
| 551 | Anderson | $757 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 179 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 176 | San Leandro | $413 |
| 177 | Tacoma | $412 |
| 178 | Denton | $411 |
| 179 | Lakewood | $410 |
| 180 | Pomona | $409 |
| 181 | Columbia | $409 |
| 182 | Walnut Creek | $409 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 661 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 658 | Apple Valley | $464 |
| 659 | Weston | $462 |
| 660 | Redlands | $451 |
| 661 | Lakewood | $443 |
| 662 | Livonia | $442 |
| 663 | Goose Creek | $436 |
| 664 | Apple Valley | $430 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 684 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 681 | Tulsa | 16.2% |
| 682 | St. Louis | 16.1% |
| 683 | Thornton | 16.1% |
| 684 | Lakewood | 16.0% |
| 685 | Philadelphia | 15.9% |
| 686 | Tuscaloosa | 15.5% |
| 687 | Tracy | 15.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lakewood ranks 419 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 416 | Rock Hill | 15.9% |
| 417 | Greenville | 15.9% |
| 418 | Perth Amboy | 15.9% |
| 419 | Lakewood | 15.9% |
| 420 | Olathe | 15.8% |
| 421 | High Point | 15.7% |
| 422 | St. George | 15.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 567 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 564 | Bowie | $1,332 |
| 565 | O'Fallon | $1,312 |
| 566 | Sammamish | $1,284 |
| 567 | Lakewood | $1,284 |
| 568 | Bellevue | $1,250 |
| 569 | Meridian | $1,226 |
| 570 | Goose Creek | $1,208 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 555 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 552 | St. Louis Park | $1,393 |
| 553 | Kenner | $1,372 |
| 554 | Hanford | $1,369 |
| 555 | Lakewood | $1,322 |
| 556 | Santee | $1,322 |
| 557 | Killeen | $1,314 |
| 558 | Fishers | $1,308 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 500 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 497 | Livonia | $718 |
| 498 | Brookhaven | $716 |
| 499 | Albany | $716 |
| 500 | Lakewood | $714 |
| 501 | Lake Forest | $713 |
| 502 | Gilbert | $712 |
| 503 | Sterling Heights | $710 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 106 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | Commerce City | $514 |
| 104 | Tracy | $513 |
| 105 | Hempstead | $512 |
| 106 | Lakewood | $511 |
| 107 | Rochester | $510 |
| 108 | Bloomington | $508 |
| 109 | Frederick | $507 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 546 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 543 | Eden Prairie | $404 |
| 544 | Hempstead | $402 |
| 545 | Joplin | $392 |
| 546 | Lakewood | $386 |
| 547 | Brooklyn Park | $377 |
| 548 | Harrisburg | $372 |
| 549 | Federal Way | $371 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 529 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 526 | Fort Smith | 17.6% |
| 527 | Lacey | 17.5% |
| 528 | Birmingham | 17.4% |
| 529 | Lakewood | 17.4% |
| 530 | Gilbert | 17.4% |
| 531 | Bentonville | 17.2% |
| 532 | Phoenix | 17.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lakewood ranks 212 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | Surprise | 24.2% |
| 210 | Lancaster | 24.2% |
| 211 | Pembroke Pines | 24.1% |
| 212 | Lakewood | 24.0% |
| 213 | Jacksonville | 23.9% |
| 214 | Rochester Hills | 23.9% |
| 215 | South Gate | 23.9% |
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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.