Government budget and revenue in Mesa, Arizona: official figures
Mesa's city government took in $1.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,207 for each of its 512,498 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 147th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Mesa spend and on what?
It spent $1.3 billion in the same year, $2,550 per resident, the 263rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (23.0%), roads and highways (12.8%) and fire protection (10.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Mesa collect per resident?
Taxes raised $420.06 million ($820 per resident, the 133rd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 50.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Mesa rely on?
Of Mesa's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 11.3%, general sales tax 78.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 1.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Mesa's property tax share is the 23rd 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 Mesa get?
Payments from other governments made up 15.8% of Mesa's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 15.8% 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 Mesa raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $260.49 million, 31.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $293.53 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Mesa spend on police?
Mesa's city government spent $300.39 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $586 per resident (the 62nd highest of 582) and 23.0% 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 Mesa spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $139.55 million, $272 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Mesa have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Mesa's city government owed $1.9 billion in long-term debt, $3,641 per resident (the 152nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $277.05 million of new long-term debt and repaid $107.93 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Mesa pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $68.82 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Mesa city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 0.8% from $2,190 to $2,207, spending per resident rose 23.7% to $2,550, taxes per resident rose 2.9% to $820.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Mesa 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))
Mesa ranks 410 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 407 | Paterson | $2,196 |
| 408 | Downers Grove | $2,195 |
| 409 | Joliet | $2,195 |
| 410 | Mesa | $2,190 |
| 411 | Billings | $2,185 |
| 412 | Albuquerque | $2,185 |
| 413 | Tamarac | $2,183 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 400 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 397 | Pflugerville | $2,079 |
| 398 | Lake Havasu City | $2,070 |
| 399 | Goodyear | $2,065 |
| 400 | Mesa | $2,060 |
| 401 | Passaic | $2,057 |
| 402 | Ogden | $2,055 |
| 403 | Schenectady | $2,055 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 516 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 513 | Fresno | $801 |
| 514 | Menifee | $799 |
| 515 | Norwalk | $797 |
| 516 | Mesa | $796 |
| 517 | Jupiter | $794 |
| 518 | Tamarac | $794 |
| 519 | San Antonio | $794 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 98 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 95 | Redding | $484 |
| 96 | San Luis Obispo | $483 |
| 97 | Alexandria | $482 |
| 98 | Mesa | $481 |
| 99 | Sacramento | $479 |
| 100 | Chino | $478 |
| 101 | Oak Park | $478 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 183 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | Framingham | $3,447 |
| 181 | Sioux City | $3,433 |
| 182 | College Station | $3,413 |
| 183 | Mesa | $3,404 |
| 184 | Scottsdale | $3,380 |
| 185 | Chula Vista | $3,368 |
| 186 | Fayetteville | $3,356 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 702 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 699 | Grand Junction | 12.9% |
| 700 | Glendale | 12.9% |
| 701 | Rogers | 12.8% |
| 702 | Mesa | 12.3% |
| 703 | Middletown | 12.2% |
| 704 | Columbia | 12.2% |
| 705 | Moore | 12.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mesa ranks 213 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | Fresno | 26.4% |
| 211 | Cambridge | 26.3% |
| 212 | Jacksonville | 26.3% |
| 213 | Mesa | 26.3% |
| 214 | Warren | 26.2% |
| 215 | Harrisonburg | 26.1% |
| 216 | Waltham | 26.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 436 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 433 | Eau Claire | $2,216 |
| 434 | Port St. Lucie | $2,215 |
| 435 | Joplin | $2,208 |
| 436 | Mesa | $2,207 |
| 437 | Troy | $2,202 |
| 438 | Camarillo | $2,201 |
| 439 | Wake Forest | $2,192 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 320 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 317 | Rogers | $2,556 |
| 318 | Novi | $2,553 |
| 319 | Winter Haven | $2,553 |
| 320 | Mesa | $2,550 |
| 321 | Franklin | $2,546 |
| 322 | Peoria | $2,541 |
| 323 | Akron | $2,537 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 450 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 447 | Kennewick | $826 |
| 448 | Marietta | $825 |
| 449 | Eau Claire | $825 |
| 450 | Mesa | $820 |
| 451 | Camarillo | $819 |
| 452 | Oshkosh | $819 |
| 453 | Sammamish | $817 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Grand Junction | $593 |
| 60 | Jacksonville | $589 |
| 61 | Daytona Beach | $588 |
| 62 | Mesa | $586 |
| 63 | Huntington Beach | $585 |
| 64 | Providence | $583 |
| 65 | Cambridge | $582 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 152 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 149 | Waterbury | $3,690 |
| 150 | Normal | $3,690 |
| 151 | Dubuque | $3,676 |
| 152 | Mesa | $3,641 |
| 153 | Wichita | $3,617 |
| 154 | Lowell | $3,610 |
| 155 | Newport News | $3,592 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 558 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 555 | Colorado Springs | 12.2% |
| 556 | Norman | 11.6% |
| 557 | San Bernardino | 11.4% |
| 558 | Mesa | 11.3% |
| 559 | Commerce City | 11.3% |
| 560 | Conway | 11.2% |
| 561 | Columbia | 10.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mesa ranks 333 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 330 | Sioux Falls | 15.9% |
| 331 | Springfield | 15.9% |
| 332 | Hanford | 15.8% |
| 333 | Mesa | 15.8% |
| 334 | Lauderhill | 15.7% |
| 335 | Smyrna | 15.7% |
| 336 | Fort Myers | 15.7% |
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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.