Government budget and revenue in Lincoln, Nebraska: official figures
Lincoln's city government took in $501.46 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, or $1,714 for each of its 292,627 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 50th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lincoln spend and on what?
It spent $537.89 million in the same year, $1,838 per resident, the 103rd lowest 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 (22.4%), police (11.7%) and the water utility (9.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lincoln collect per resident?
Taxes raised $280.15 million ($957 per resident, the 220th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, 61.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lincoln rely on?
Of Lincoln's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, property tax made up 34.3%, general sales tax 35.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lincoln's property tax share is the 148th 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 Lincoln get?
Payments from other governments made up 16.7% of Lincoln's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023: 9.5% from the federal government ($149 per resident), 6.7% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lincoln raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $53.12 million, 11.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $42.27 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lincoln spend on police?
Lincoln's city government spent $63.17 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, $216 per resident (the 54th lowest of 582) and 11.7% 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 Lincoln spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $40.39 million, $138 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lincoln have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, Lincoln's city government owed $45.33 million in long-term debt, $155 per resident (the 17th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $74.75 million of new long-term debt and repaid $49.77 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lincoln pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $670,000 in the fiscal year ended 31 August 2023, 0.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lincoln city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 3.0% from $1,664 to $1,714, spending per resident fell 0.1% to $1,838, taxes per resident rose 24.6% to $957.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lincoln 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))
Lincoln ranks 599 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 596 | Cathedral City | $1,668 |
| 597 | Livonia | $1,666 |
| 598 | Moore | $1,665 |
| 599 | Lincoln | $1,664 |
| 600 | La Habra | $1,663 |
| 601 | Westland | $1,663 |
| 602 | Upland | $1,656 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 483 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 480 | Franklin | $1,841 |
| 481 | Corvallis | $1,841 |
| 482 | Pomona | $1,840 |
| 483 | Lincoln | $1,839 |
| 484 | Holly Springs | $1,832 |
| 485 | Porterville | $1,829 |
| 486 | Sanford | $1,823 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 544 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 541 | Largo | $770 |
| 542 | Appleton | $769 |
| 543 | Santa Clarita | $769 |
| 544 | Lincoln | $768 |
| 545 | Cape Coral | $765 |
| 546 | Lafayette | $765 |
| 547 | Novi | $763 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 683 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 680 | Fishers | $189 |
| 681 | St. George | $188 |
| 682 | Palm Bay | $187 |
| 683 | Lincoln | $185 |
| 684 | O'Fallon | $185 |
| 685 | Owensboro | $182 |
| 686 | Iowa City | $182 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 693 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 690 | Chico | $245 |
| 691 | North Miami | $242 |
| 692 | Union City | $241 |
| 693 | Lincoln | $235 |
| 694 | National City | $233 |
| 695 | Yorba Linda | $224 |
| 696 | Trenton | $213 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 471 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 468 | Irvine | 38.2% |
| 469 | Watsonville | 38.1% |
| 470 | Placentia | 38.1% |
| 471 | Lincoln | 38.1% |
| 472 | Beaumont | 37.9% |
| 473 | Long Beach | 37.8% |
| 474 | Milpitas | 37.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lincoln ranks 376 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 373 | Simi Valley | 17.2% |
| 374 | Rocky Mount | 17.2% |
| 375 | West Palm Beach | 17.1% |
| 376 | Lincoln | 17.1% |
| 377 | Porterville | 17.1% |
| 378 | Bloomington | 17.0% |
| 379 | Yucaipa | 17.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 533 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | Bakersfield | $1,752 |
| 531 | Kokomo | $1,744 |
| 532 | Muncie | $1,714 |
| 533 | Lincoln | $1,714 |
| 534 | Westfield | $1,711 |
| 535 | Wichita Falls | $1,702 |
| 536 | Moreno Valley | $1,682 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 480 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 477 | Eden Prairie | $1,851 |
| 478 | Stockton | $1,846 |
| 479 | Gilbert | $1,841 |
| 480 | Lincoln | $1,838 |
| 481 | Coconut Creek | $1,825 |
| 482 | North Charleston | $1,823 |
| 483 | Fremont | $1,821 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 363 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 360 | Miramar | $961 |
| 361 | Daytona Beach | $959 |
| 362 | Largo | $958 |
| 363 | Lincoln | $957 |
| 364 | Boise City | $957 |
| 365 | Fort Pierce | $956 |
| 366 | Salem | $953 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 529 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 526 | Noblesville | $217 |
| 527 | Rogers | $217 |
| 528 | Westfield | $216 |
| 529 | Lincoln | $216 |
| 530 | Ankeny | $215 |
| 531 | Caldwell | $215 |
| 532 | Plymouth | $215 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 566 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 563 | Thousand Oaks | $213 |
| 564 | Pontiac | $195 |
| 565 | Chico | $185 |
| 566 | Lincoln | $155 |
| 567 | Troy | $145 |
| 568 | Rochester Hills | $141 |
| 569 | Spokane Valley | $114 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 433 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 430 | Murrieta | 34.6% |
| 431 | Millcreek | 34.5% |
| 432 | Corona | 34.4% |
| 433 | Lincoln | 34.3% |
| 434 | Fresno | 34.2% |
| 435 | Bloomington | 34.2% |
| 436 | Colton | 33.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lincoln ranks 318 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 315 | Novi | 17.0% |
| 316 | Salinas | 16.9% |
| 317 | Gastonia | 16.8% |
| 318 | Lincoln | 16.7% |
| 319 | Charlotte | 16.6% |
| 320 | Lakeville | 16.5% |
| 321 | Houston | 16.5% |
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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.