Government budget and revenue in Madison, Wisconsin: official figures
Madison's city government took in $869.58 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,186 for each of its 272,903 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 232nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Madison spend and on what?
It spent $754.52 million in the same year, $2,765 per resident, the 274th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were public transit (13.4%), roads and highways (12.3%) and police (12.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Madison collect per resident?
Taxes raised $344.12 million ($1,261 per resident, the 211th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 42.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Madison rely on?
Of Madison's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 88.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 6.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Madison's property tax share is the 110th 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 Madison get?
Payments from other governments made up 31.2% of Madison's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 11.0% from the federal government ($322 per resident), 16.5% from the state and 3.7% 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 Madison raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $137.99 million, 17.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $68.22 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Madison spend on police?
Madison's city government spent $90.38 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $331 per resident (the 247th lowest of 582) and 12.0% 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 Madison spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $70.48 million, $258 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Madison have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Madison's city government owed $1.1 billion in long-term debt, $4,082 per resident (the 127th highest of 582). During the year it issued $221.59 million of new long-term debt and repaid $183.37 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Madison pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $21.99 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Madison city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 25.3% from $2,543 to $3,186, spending per resident rose 11.1% to $2,765, taxes per resident rose 6.8% to $1,261.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Madison 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))
Madison ranks 323 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 320 | Sandy | $2,557 |
| 321 | La Crosse | $2,554 |
| 322 | Cheyenne | $2,548 |
| 323 | Madison | $2,543 |
| 324 | Tuscaloosa | $2,539 |
| 325 | Bossier City | $2,538 |
| 326 | Watsonville | $2,526 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 297 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 294 | Vacaville | $2,501 |
| 295 | St. Petersburg | $2,499 |
| 296 | Bossier City | $2,497 |
| 297 | Madison | $2,489 |
| 298 | Boynton Beach | $2,486 |
| 299 | Schaumburg | $2,483 |
| 300 | Bozeman | $2,481 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 239 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 236 | Manchester | $1,190 |
| 237 | Davenport | $1,190 |
| 238 | Clearwater | $1,187 |
| 239 | Madison | $1,181 |
| 240 | Southfield | $1,177 |
| 241 | Flower Mound | $1,176 |
| 242 | Frederick | $1,176 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 364 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 361 | Asheville | $317 |
| 362 | Irving | $317 |
| 363 | Worcester | $317 |
| 364 | Madison | $317 |
| 365 | Pinellas Park | $316 |
| 366 | Kent | $316 |
| 367 | Salt Lake City | $316 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 114 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Madison | $4,505 |
| 112 | Lynchburg | $4,503 |
| 113 | Norman | $4,373 |
| 114 | Madison | $4,364 |
| 115 | Anchorage | $4,346 |
| 116 | Nashua | $4,341 |
| 117 | Kingsport | $4,320 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 108 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 105 | Kalamazoo | 90.7% |
| 106 | Great Falls | 90.6% |
| 107 | Blaine | 90.5% |
| 108 | Madison | 90.5% |
| 109 | Minnetonka | 90.4% |
| 110 | Southaven | 90.3% |
| 111 | Eau Claire | 90.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Madison ranks 207 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 204 | Columbia | 26.7% |
| 205 | Anderson | 26.6% |
| 206 | Union City | 26.6% |
| 207 | Madison | 26.4% |
| 208 | Loveland | 26.4% |
| 209 | Evanston | 26.4% |
| 210 | Fresno | 26.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 232 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 229 | Asheville | $3,190 |
| 230 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $3,189 |
| 231 | Grand Forks | $3,186 |
| 232 | Madison | $3,186 |
| 233 | Naperville | $3,184 |
| 234 | Columbia | $3,183 |
| 235 | Grand Rapids | $3,180 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 274 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 271 | Oklahoma City | $2,795 |
| 272 | Manhattan | $2,792 |
| 273 | Minneapolis | $2,782 |
| 274 | Madison | $2,765 |
| 275 | Mooresville | $2,759 |
| 276 | Clarksville | $2,756 |
| 277 | Lexington | $2,751 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 211 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 208 | Jeffersonville | $1,273 |
| 209 | Carrollton | $1,270 |
| 210 | Renton | $1,266 |
| 211 | Madison | $1,261 |
| 212 | Royal Oak | $1,261 |
| 213 | Joplin | $1,258 |
| 214 | Chattanooga | $1,257 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 336 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 333 | Akron | $333 |
| 334 | Parker | $331 |
| 335 | Murfreesboro | $331 |
| 336 | Madison | $331 |
| 337 | Grand Rapids | $331 |
| 338 | Burleson | $331 |
| 339 | Hialeah | $330 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 127 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Eau Claire | $4,157 |
| 125 | Chattanooga | $4,105 |
| 126 | Fort Myers | $4,094 |
| 127 | Madison | $4,082 |
| 128 | Framingham | $4,021 |
| 129 | Grand Forks | $3,956 |
| 130 | College Station | $3,910 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 110 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 107 | Evansville | 89.0% |
| 108 | Billings | 88.9% |
| 109 | Jackson | 88.8% |
| 110 | Madison | 88.6% |
| 111 | Syracuse | 88.3% |
| 112 | Maple Grove | 88.2% |
| 113 | Cambridge | 87.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Madison ranks 135 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 132 | Suffolk | 31.3% |
| 133 | Taylor | 31.3% |
| 134 | Perth Amboy | 31.3% |
| 135 | Madison | 31.2% |
| 136 | Gaithersburg | 31.2% |
| 137 | Wyoming | 31.1% |
| 138 | Normal | 31.0% |
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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.