Government budget and revenue in Mobile, Alabama: official figures
Mobile's city government took in $616.55 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $3,364 for each of its 183,289 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 214th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Mobile spend and on what?
It spent $472.74 million in the same year, $2,579 per resident, the 272nd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (24.5%), police (13.3%) and the water utility (11.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Mobile collect per resident?
Taxes raised $393.26 million ($2,146 per resident, the 66th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 69.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Mobile rely on?
Of Mobile's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 7.0%, general sales tax 69.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Mobile's property tax share is the 9th 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 Mobile get?
Payments from other governments made up 5.9% of Mobile's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 1.1% from the federal government ($33 per resident), 4.7% 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 Mobile raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $116.00 million, 20.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $49.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Mobile spend on police?
Mobile's city government spent $62.84 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $343 per resident (the 264th lowest of 582) and 13.3% 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 Mobile spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $39.83 million, $217 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Mobile have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Mobile's city government owed $366.62 million in long-term debt, $2,000 per resident (the 262nd lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $36.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Mobile pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $12.36 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 2.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Mobile city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 25.5% from $2,680 to $3,364, spending per resident rose 21.6% to $2,579, taxes per resident rose 15.8% to $2,146.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Mobile 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))
Mobile ranks 293 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 290 | Brownsville | $2,688 |
| 291 | Montebello | $2,687 |
| 292 | Folsom | $2,681 |
| 293 | Mobile | $2,680 |
| 294 | San Rafael | $2,677 |
| 295 | Renton | $2,673 |
| 296 | Bellingham | $2,666 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 385 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 382 | Kenosha | $2,127 |
| 383 | Santa Rosa | $2,124 |
| 384 | Joliet | $2,124 |
| 385 | Mobile | $2,121 |
| 386 | Oklahoma City | $2,119 |
| 387 | Tracy | $2,117 |
| 388 | Smyrna | $2,116 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 94 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Malden | $1,877 |
| 92 | Ontario | $1,877 |
| 93 | Brockton | $1,853 |
| 94 | Mobile | $1,853 |
| 95 | Inglewood | $1,823 |
| 96 | Tracy | $1,823 |
| 97 | Mooresville | $1,773 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 355 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 352 | Phoenix | $321 |
| 353 | Merced | $320 |
| 354 | Council Bluffs | $320 |
| 355 | Mobile | $319 |
| 356 | Loveland | $319 |
| 357 | Marana | $319 |
| 358 | Sanford | $318 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 472 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 469 | Salem | $1,372 |
| 470 | Clovis | $1,369 |
| 471 | Greeley | $1,364 |
| 472 | Mobile | $1,360 |
| 473 | Fremont | $1,359 |
| 474 | Davie | $1,356 |
| 475 | Killeen | $1,353 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 718 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 715 | Lake Charles | 9.5% |
| 716 | Parker | 8.3% |
| 717 | Midwest City | 8.1% |
| 718 | Mobile | 8.0% |
| 719 | Santa Fe | 7.8% |
| 720 | Arvada | 7.3% |
| 721 | Cleveland | 7.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Mobile ranks 685 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 682 | Orem | 6.1% |
| 683 | Cupertino | 6.1% |
| 684 | Costa Mesa | 6.0% |
| 685 | Mobile | 6.0% |
| 686 | Burleson | 5.9% |
| 687 | Huntington Beach | 5.9% |
| 688 | Tracy | 5.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 214 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 211 | South Bend | $3,390 |
| 212 | Fargo | $3,383 |
| 213 | Evansville | $3,370 |
| 214 | Mobile | $3,364 |
| 215 | Richardson | $3,356 |
| 216 | Bismarck | $3,317 |
| 217 | Gastonia | $3,315 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 311 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 308 | Fort Worth | $2,602 |
| 309 | Bloomington | $2,602 |
| 310 | Westland | $2,601 |
| 311 | Mobile | $2,579 |
| 312 | Avondale | $2,574 |
| 313 | Oak Lawn | $2,564 |
| 314 | Oceanside | $2,564 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Waterbury | $2,216 |
| 64 | Atlanta | $2,198 |
| 65 | Portsmouth | $2,163 |
| 66 | Mobile | $2,146 |
| 67 | Portland | $2,139 |
| 68 | Santa Barbara | $2,104 |
| 69 | Berkeley | $2,102 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 319 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 316 | Irving | $345 |
| 317 | Kenner | $344 |
| 318 | Boise City | $344 |
| 319 | Mobile | $343 |
| 320 | St. Cloud | $342 |
| 321 | Troy | $342 |
| 322 | Rancho Cucamonga | $342 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 321 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | Columbia | $2,010 |
| 319 | Hoover | $2,006 |
| 320 | Colton | $2,002 |
| 321 | Mobile | $2,000 |
| 322 | Kokomo | $1,990 |
| 323 | Gastonia | $1,986 |
| 324 | Apex | $1,978 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 572 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 569 | Tucson | 8.1% |
| 570 | Parker | 7.7% |
| 571 | Canton | 7.2% |
| 572 | Mobile | 7.0% |
| 573 | Decatur | 6.4% |
| 574 | Columbus | 6.1% |
| 575 | Joplin | 5.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Mobile ranks 545 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 542 | Mount Pleasant | 5.9% |
| 543 | Rancho Cucamonga | 5.9% |
| 544 | Eagle Mountain | 5.9% |
| 545 | Mobile | 5.9% |
| 546 | Midland | 5.8% |
| 547 | Ames | 5.7% |
| 548 | Lake Elsinore | 5.5% |
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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.