Government budget and revenue in Lexington, Kentucky: official figures
Lexington's city government took in $1.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,526 for each of its 320,347 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 198th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lexington spend and on what?
It spent $881.16 million in the same year, $2,751 per resident, the 277th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were central administration (30.9%), sewerage (10.2%) and housing and community development (9.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lexington collect per resident?
Taxes raised $557.19 million ($1,739 per resident, the 106th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 49.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lexington rely on?
Of Lexington's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 23.8%, individual income tax 48.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 15.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lexington's property tax share is the 85th 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 Lexington get?
Payments from other governments made up 15.1% of Lexington's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 7.6% from the federal government ($268 per resident), 6.6% from the state and 0.9% 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 Lexington raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $374.76 million, 33.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lexington spend on police?
Lexington's city government spent $23.37 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $73 per resident (the 21st lowest of 582) and 2.7% 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 does Lexington spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $82.29 million, $257 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lexington have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Lexington's city government owed $961.74 million in long-term debt, $3,002 per resident (the 193rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $87.10 million of new long-term debt and repaid $353.93 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lexington pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $18.44 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lexington city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 20.8% from $2,918 to $3,526, spending per resident rose 57.6% to $2,751, taxes per resident rose 13.9% to $1,739.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lexington 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))
Lexington ranks 248 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Grand Junction | $2,926 |
| 246 | Carson City | $2,923 |
| 247 | South Bend | $2,922 |
| 248 | Lexington | $2,918 |
| 249 | Murray | $2,917 |
| 250 | Newark | $2,901 |
| 251 | Fayetteville | $2,874 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 507 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 504 | Lynwood | $1,758 |
| 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 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 128 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | Richardson | $1,553 |
| 126 | Westminster | $1,531 |
| 127 | Pawtucket | $1,530 |
| 128 | Lexington | $1,527 |
| 129 | Los Angeles | $1,526 |
| 130 | Napa | $1,526 |
| 131 | Santa Cruz | $1,526 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 588 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 585 | Sioux Falls | $229 |
| 586 | Madera | $228 |
| 587 | Pasco | $228 |
| 588 | Lexington | $228 |
| 589 | San Angelo | $228 |
| 590 | Methuen | $228 |
| 591 | Jacksonville | $228 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Santa Ana | $1,676 |
| 418 | Pico Rivera | $1,668 |
| 419 | Tucson | $1,664 |
| 420 | Lexington | $1,645 |
| 421 | Battle Creek | $1,645 |
| 422 | Gallatin | $1,641 |
| 423 | Tustin | $1,639 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 616 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 613 | North Little Rock | 24.1% |
| 614 | Shreveport | 24.1% |
| 615 | San Jacinto | 24.0% |
| 616 | Lexington | 23.8% |
| 617 | Perris | 23.6% |
| 618 | Anaheim | 23.4% |
| 619 | Pittsburg | 23.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lexington ranks 405 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 402 | Bozeman | 16.4% |
| 403 | Tampa | 16.3% |
| 404 | Portland | 16.3% |
| 405 | Lexington | 16.3% |
| 406 | Jurupa Valley | 16.2% |
| 407 | Medford | 16.2% |
| 408 | Plymouth | 16.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 198 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | Lake Havasu City | $3,550 |
| 196 | Columbia | $3,548 |
| 197 | Tracy | $3,532 |
| 198 | Lexington | $3,526 |
| 199 | Charlotte | $3,517 |
| 200 | Carlsbad | $3,510 |
| 201 | Hillsboro | $3,504 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 277 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 274 | Madison | $2,765 |
| 275 | Mooresville | $2,759 |
| 276 | Clarksville | $2,756 |
| 277 | Lexington | $2,751 |
| 278 | Lenexa | $2,749 |
| 279 | Watsonville | $2,748 |
| 280 | Chula Vista | $2,747 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington 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 taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 103 | Pittsburgh | $1,745 |
| 104 | Los Angeles | $1,742 |
| 105 | Westminster | $1,740 |
| 106 | Lexington | $1,739 |
| 107 | Sarasota | $1,738 |
| 108 | Palm Beach Gardens | $1,735 |
| 109 | Lenexa | $1,730 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 562 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 559 | Sammamish | $141 |
| 560 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $137 |
| 561 | Brockton | $78 |
| 562 | Lexington | $73 |
| 563 | Palm Coast | $66 |
| 564 | Avondale | $40 |
| 565 | Las Vegas | $32 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 193 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | Omaha | $3,051 |
| 191 | Stockton | $3,024 |
| 192 | Tulsa | $3,003 |
| 193 | Lexington | $3,002 |
| 194 | St. Paul | $2,998 |
| 195 | Oxnard | $2,975 |
| 196 | Fort Worth | $2,975 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 496 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 493 | Turlock | 24.1% |
| 494 | Longmont | 24.0% |
| 495 | Stockton | 23.9% |
| 496 | Lexington | 23.8% |
| 497 | Chico | 23.8% |
| 498 | Yakima | 23.8% |
| 499 | Grapevine | 23.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lexington ranks 343 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 340 | Brooklyn Park | 15.5% |
| 341 | Davenport | 15.4% |
| 342 | Yakima | 15.3% |
| 343 | Lexington | 15.1% |
| 344 | Santa Monica | 15.1% |
| 345 | Plymouth | 15.1% |
| 346 | Albuquerque | 15.0% |
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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.