Government budget and revenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin: official figures
Milwaukee's city government took in $1.5 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,595 for each of its 563,305 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 243rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Milwaukee spend and on what?
It spent $1.4 billion in the same year, $2,426 per resident, the 232nd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (25.4%), roads and highways (12.6%) and fire protection (10.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Milwaukee collect per resident?
Taxes raised $393.04 million ($698 per resident, the 73rd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 28.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Milwaukee rely on?
Of Milwaukee's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 92.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Milwaukee's property tax share is the 83rd 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 Milwaukee get?
Payments from other governments made up 43.1% of Milwaukee's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 15.3% from the federal government ($372 per resident), 21.6% from the state and 6.1% 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 Milwaukee raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $295.24 million, 21.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $92.81 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Milwaukee spend on police?
Milwaukee's city government spent $347.04 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $616 per resident (the 50th highest of 582) and 25.4% 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 Milwaukee spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $137.92 million, $245 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Milwaukee have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Milwaukee's city government owed $1.6 billion in long-term debt, $2,780 per resident (the 220th highest of 582). During the year it issued $411.26 million of new long-term debt and repaid $373.16 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Milwaukee pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $60.77 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 4.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Milwaukee city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.2% from $2,234 to $2,595, spending per resident rose 4.7% to $2,426, taxes per resident rose 5.8% to $698.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Milwaukee 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))
Milwaukee ranks 401 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 398 | Ogden | $2,239 |
| 399 | Grand Prairie | $2,236 |
| 400 | Palm Beach Gardens | $2,234 |
| 401 | Milwaukee | $2,234 |
| 402 | Gardena | $2,231 |
| 403 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $2,225 |
| 404 | Corpus Christi | $2,214 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 336 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 333 | St. Louis Park | $2,345 |
| 334 | Beaumont | $2,336 |
| 335 | Tustin | $2,332 |
| 336 | Milwaukee | $2,317 |
| 337 | Hoffman Estates | $2,302 |
| 338 | Everett | $2,302 |
| 339 | Montebello | $2,301 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 621 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 618 | Lincoln | $669 |
| 619 | Fayetteville | $660 |
| 620 | North Port | $660 |
| 621 | Milwaukee | $659 |
| 622 | Lakeland | $657 |
| 623 | Draper | $655 |
| 624 | Greenville | $654 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Santa Barbara | $535 |
| 64 | Milpitas | $534 |
| 65 | Birmingham | $528 |
| 66 | Milwaukee | $528 |
| 67 | Orange | $526 |
| 68 | Tucson | $522 |
| 69 | Pompano Beach | $522 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 259 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | McKinney | $2,677 |
| 257 | Lincoln | $2,642 |
| 258 | Tigard | $2,636 |
| 259 | Milwaukee | $2,629 |
| 260 | Fort Smith | $2,624 |
| 261 | Mount Pleasant | $2,609 |
| 262 | Las Cruces | $2,597 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 86 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | Pocatello | 93.6% |
| 84 | Royal Oak | 93.5% |
| 85 | Appleton | 93.4% |
| 86 | Milwaukee | 93.3% |
| 87 | Elizabeth | 93.1% |
| 88 | Kenosha | 93.1% |
| 89 | Ann Arbor | 93.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Milwaukee ranks 52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Flint | 43.8% |
| 50 | Henderson | 43.7% |
| 51 | Downers Grove | 43.6% |
| 52 | Milwaukee | 43.3% |
| 53 | New Haven | 42.7% |
| 54 | Methuen | 42.5% |
| 55 | Naperville | 42.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 340 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 337 | Sioux Falls | $2,612 |
| 338 | Newark | $2,610 |
| 339 | Jeffersonville | $2,608 |
| 340 | Milwaukee | $2,595 |
| 341 | Franklin | $2,593 |
| 342 | Burleson | $2,589 |
| 343 | Temecula | $2,587 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 351 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 348 | Carmel | $2,432 |
| 349 | Vancouver | $2,432 |
| 350 | Laredo | $2,430 |
| 351 | Milwaukee | $2,426 |
| 352 | Mount Pleasant | $2,424 |
| 353 | Midland | $2,414 |
| 354 | Fayetteville | $2,410 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 510 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 507 | Union City | $702 |
| 508 | Fayetteville | $700 |
| 509 | Gary | $700 |
| 510 | Milwaukee | $698 |
| 511 | Federal Way | $695 |
| 512 | Modesto | $694 |
| 513 | South Gate | $689 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 50 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Anaheim | $624 |
| 48 | Glendale | $622 |
| 49 | Atlanta | $618 |
| 50 | Milwaukee | $616 |
| 51 | Minneapolis | $613 |
| 52 | Sunnyvale | $610 |
| 53 | Alameda | $608 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 220 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | Westminster | $2,789 |
| 218 | Gary | $2,784 |
| 219 | Mount Pleasant | $2,780 |
| 220 | Milwaukee | $2,780 |
| 221 | Torrance | $2,772 |
| 222 | Irvine | $2,766 |
| 223 | Bloomington | $2,766 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 83 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Wyoming | 92.8% |
| 81 | Ann Arbor | 92.7% |
| 82 | Great Falls | 92.6% |
| 83 | Milwaukee | 92.6% |
| 84 | Everett | 92.6% |
| 85 | Kalamazoo | 92.2% |
| 86 | Minnetonka | 92.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Milwaukee ranks 57 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Tucson | 44.1% |
| 55 | Casper | 43.8% |
| 56 | Springfield | 43.1% |
| 57 | Milwaukee | 43.1% |
| 58 | Baltimore | 43.0% |
| 59 | Portsmouth | 42.6% |
| 60 | Sandy Springs | 42.5% |
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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.