Government budget and revenue in Las Cruces, New Mexico: official figures
Las Cruces' city government took in $358.54 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,148 for each of its 113,888 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 239th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Las Cruces spend and on what?
It spent $258.24 million in the same year, $2,267 per resident, the 199th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (15.4%), fire protection (9.7%) and the gas utility (9.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Las Cruces collect per resident?
Taxes raised $175.64 million ($1,542 per resident, the 129th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 56.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Las Cruces rely on?
Of Las Cruces' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 15.4%, general sales tax 77.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 3.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Las Cruces' property tax share is the 40th 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 Las Cruces get?
Payments from other governments made up 18.8% of Las Cruces' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 9.9% from the federal government ($269 per resident), 7.0% from the state and 2.0% 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 Las Cruces raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $40.22 million, 12.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $47.21 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Las Cruces spend on police?
Las Cruces' city government spent $39.66 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $348 per resident (the 273rd lowest of 582) and 15.4% 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 Las Cruces spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $24.92 million, $219 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Las Cruces have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Las Cruces' city government owed $281.69 million in long-term debt, $2,473 per resident (the 258th highest of 582). During the year it issued $32.34 million of new long-term debt and repaid $41.43 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Las Cruces pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $11.63 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 4.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Las Cruces city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.7% from $2,697 to $3,148, spending per resident fell 4.9% to $2,267, taxes per resident rose 1.6% to $1,542.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Las Cruces 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))
Las Cruces ranks 289 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 286 | Waterloo | $2,698 |
| 287 | Lancaster | $2,698 |
| 288 | Lenexa | $2,697 |
| 289 | Las Cruces | $2,697 |
| 290 | Brownsville | $2,688 |
| 291 | Montebello | $2,687 |
| 292 | Folsom | $2,681 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 326 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 323 | Tuscaloosa | $2,398 |
| 324 | Royal Oak | $2,391 |
| 325 | Phoenix | $2,390 |
| 326 | Las Cruces | $2,386 |
| 327 | Richmond | $2,384 |
| 328 | Jeffersonville | $2,382 |
| 329 | Encinitas | $2,363 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 135 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | Miami | $1,526 |
| 133 | West Palm Beach | $1,526 |
| 134 | Lowell | $1,518 |
| 135 | Las Cruces | $1,517 |
| 136 | Bothell | $1,510 |
| 137 | East Orange | $1,509 |
| 138 | Marana | $1,507 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 451 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 448 | Lubbock | $286 |
| 449 | Grand Rapids | $285 |
| 450 | Vista | $285 |
| 451 | Las Cruces | $284 |
| 452 | Fort Collins | $284 |
| 453 | Tigard | $283 |
| 454 | Decatur | $283 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 262 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 259 | Milwaukee | $2,629 |
| 260 | Fort Smith | $2,624 |
| 261 | Mount Pleasant | $2,609 |
| 262 | Las Cruces | $2,597 |
| 263 | Leander | $2,579 |
| 264 | Bloomington | $2,574 |
| 265 | Santa Cruz | $2,573 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 695 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 692 | Flagstaff | 15.3% |
| 693 | Fayetteville | 14.9% |
| 694 | Palm Desert | 14.9% |
| 695 | Las Cruces | 14.9% |
| 696 | Oklahoma City | 14.1% |
| 697 | Carson | 14.1% |
| 698 | Logan | 13.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Las Cruces ranks 550 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 547 | Herriman | 11.4% |
| 548 | Montebello | 11.4% |
| 549 | Margate | 11.4% |
| 550 | Las Cruces | 11.3% |
| 551 | Fort Myers | 11.2% |
| 552 | Hanford | 11.2% |
| 553 | Texas City | 11.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 239 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 236 | Battle Creek | $3,179 |
| 237 | Pleasanton | $3,168 |
| 238 | Miami | $3,162 |
| 239 | Las Cruces | $3,148 |
| 240 | Watsonville | $3,145 |
| 241 | Cheyenne | $3,131 |
| 242 | Westminster | $3,129 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 384 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 381 | Irving | $2,281 |
| 382 | Normal | $2,276 |
| 383 | Janesville | $2,274 |
| 384 | Las Cruces | $2,267 |
| 385 | North Miami | $2,265 |
| 386 | Oak Park | $2,263 |
| 387 | Auburn | $2,262 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 129 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | Dothan | $1,579 |
| 127 | Elizabeth | $1,559 |
| 128 | Mishawaka | $1,554 |
| 129 | Las Cruces | $1,542 |
| 130 | North Charleston | $1,542 |
| 131 | Pompano Beach | $1,537 |
| 132 | Greeley | $1,531 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 310 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 307 | Normal | $350 |
| 308 | Oklahoma City | $349 |
| 309 | Waco | $349 |
| 310 | Las Cruces | $348 |
| 311 | Plainfield | $347 |
| 312 | Coeur d'Alene | $347 |
| 313 | Norman | $346 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 258 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | Redding | $2,494 |
| 256 | Brookhaven | $2,481 |
| 257 | Albuquerque | $2,477 |
| 258 | Las Cruces | $2,473 |
| 259 | Midwest City | $2,451 |
| 260 | Sunrise | $2,440 |
| 261 | Stillwater | $2,440 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 541 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 538 | Akron | 16.1% |
| 539 | Fayetteville | 16.0% |
| 540 | Philadelphia | 15.5% |
| 541 | Las Cruces | 15.4% |
| 542 | Thornton | 15.4% |
| 543 | Oklahoma City | 15.4% |
| 544 | Montgomery | 15.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Las Cruces ranks 287 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 284 | Bozeman | 18.9% |
| 285 | St. Clair Shores | 18.9% |
| 286 | Wichita Falls | 18.9% |
| 287 | Las Cruces | 18.8% |
| 288 | Margate | 18.8% |
| 289 | Long Beach | 18.8% |
| 290 | Columbia | 18.7% |
More on Las Cruces: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.