Government budget and revenue in Little Elm, Texas: official figures
Little Elm's city government took in $132.63 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $2,396 for each of its 55,357 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 197th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Little Elm spend and on what?
It spent $120.51 million in the same year, $2,177 per resident, the 172nd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (15.1%), police (12.2%) and fire protection (9.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Little Elm collect per resident?
Taxes raised $60.08 million ($1,085 per resident, the 286th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 50.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Little Elm rely on?
Of Little Elm's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 63.9%, general sales tax 24.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 4.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Little Elm's property tax share is the 217th 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 Little Elm get?
Payments from other governments made up 8.6% of Little Elm's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 3.2% from the federal government ($68 per resident), 0.8% from the state and 4.7% 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 Little Elm raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $20.97 million, 17.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $13.81 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Little Elm spend on police?
Little Elm's city government spent $14.69 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $265 per resident (the 110th lowest of 582) and 12.2% 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 Little Elm spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $11.96 million, $216 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Little Elm have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Little Elm's city government owed $65.74 million in long-term debt, $1,188 per resident (the 166th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $5.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Little Elm pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.63 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 3.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Little Elm city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 4.5% from $2,510 to $2,396, spending per resident rose 38.3% to $2,177, taxes per resident rose 18.1% to $1,085.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Little Elm 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))
Little Elm ranks 329 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 326 | Watsonville | $2,526 |
| 327 | Beaumont | $2,521 |
| 328 | Southfield | $2,512 |
| 329 | Little Elm | $2,510 |
| 330 | Petaluma | $2,504 |
| 331 | Apex | $2,503 |
| 332 | Columbus | $2,497 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 571 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 568 | Eden Prairie | $1,577 |
| 569 | Fontana | $1,576 |
| 570 | Garden Grove | $1,575 |
| 571 | Little Elm | $1,574 |
| 572 | Davenport | $1,574 |
| 573 | Las Vegas | $1,574 |
| 574 | Fremont | $1,572 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 408 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 405 | El Paso | $921 |
| 406 | South Bend | $920 |
| 407 | Greensboro | $920 |
| 408 | Little Elm | $919 |
| 409 | Fort Wayne | $919 |
| 410 | Fargo | $917 |
| 411 | Champaign | $914 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 605 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 602 | Rogers | $224 |
| 603 | Lake Forest | $223 |
| 604 | Oshkosh | $223 |
| 605 | Little Elm | $222 |
| 606 | League City | $222 |
| 607 | Millcreek | $222 |
| 608 | Flower Mound | $221 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 324 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 321 | Columbus | $2,250 |
| 322 | Frederick | $2,242 |
| 323 | Alpharetta | $2,235 |
| 324 | Little Elm | $2,233 |
| 325 | Lawrence | $2,230 |
| 326 | Gardena | $2,227 |
| 327 | Ann Arbor | $2,223 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 293 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 290 | Clarksville | 58.0% |
| 291 | Tamarac | 57.9% |
| 292 | Sparks | 57.8% |
| 293 | Little Elm | 57.8% |
| 294 | League City | 57.7% |
| 295 | Bryan | 57.7% |
| 296 | South Jordan | 57.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Little Elm ranks 663 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 660 | South San Francisco | 7.2% |
| 661 | Enid | 7.1% |
| 662 | Pleasanton | 7.1% |
| 663 | Little Elm | 7.1% |
| 664 | Conway | 7.0% |
| 665 | Sunrise | 7.0% |
| 666 | Palo Alto | 6.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 386 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 383 | Taylor | $2,404 |
| 384 | Jackson | $2,402 |
| 385 | Lacey | $2,400 |
| 386 | Little Elm | $2,396 |
| 387 | Boise City | $2,394 |
| 388 | Bozeman | $2,393 |
| 389 | Maricopa | $2,390 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 411 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 408 | Lauderhill | $2,189 |
| 409 | Wake Forest | $2,182 |
| 410 | Henderson | $2,178 |
| 411 | Little Elm | $2,177 |
| 412 | Alpharetta | $2,173 |
| 413 | Iowa City | $2,173 |
| 414 | Eau Claire | $2,172 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 286 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 283 | Fort Wayne | $1,092 |
| 284 | Noblesville | $1,091 |
| 285 | Des Plaines | $1,086 |
| 286 | Little Elm | $1,085 |
| 287 | Stockton | $1,083 |
| 288 | Fishers | $1,078 |
| 289 | Vallejo | $1,072 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 473 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 470 | Ann Arbor | $266 |
| 471 | Thousand Oaks | $266 |
| 472 | St. Louis Park | $266 |
| 473 | Little Elm | $265 |
| 474 | Moreno Valley | $265 |
| 475 | Bentonville | $264 |
| 476 | Pflugerville | $264 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 417 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 414 | Palmdale | $1,256 |
| 415 | Smyrna | $1,252 |
| 416 | Pasadena | $1,199 |
| 417 | Little Elm | $1,188 |
| 418 | Bellevue | $1,184 |
| 419 | Maple Grove | $1,176 |
| 420 | Westland | $1,173 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 217 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 214 | Sammamish | 64.6% |
| 215 | Atlanta | 64.1% |
| 216 | Wilmington | 63.9% |
| 217 | Little Elm | 63.9% |
| 218 | Plantation | 63.7% |
| 219 | Roanoke | 63.7% |
| 220 | Davie | 63.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Little Elm ranks 502 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 499 | Olympia | 8.8% |
| 500 | Joplin | 8.7% |
| 501 | Conway | 8.7% |
| 502 | Little Elm | 8.6% |
| 503 | Westminster | 8.6% |
| 504 | Plantation | 8.5% |
| 505 | Huntersville | 8.5% |
More on Little Elm: 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.