Government budget and revenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey: official figures
New Brunswick's city government took in $447.92 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $7,999 for each of its 55,998 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 23rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does New Brunswick spend and on what?
It spent $450.24 million in the same year, $8,040 per resident, the 27th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (71.2%), police (4.6%) and housing and community development (4.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does New Brunswick collect per resident?
Taxes raised $89.51 million ($1,598 per resident, the 123rd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 20.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does New Brunswick rely on?
Of New Brunswick's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 99.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; New Brunswick's property tax share is the 6th 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 New Brunswick get?
Payments from other governments made up 60.0% of New Brunswick's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 4.0% from the federal government ($309 per resident), 56.0% 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 New Brunswick raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $50.70 million, 11.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $19.74 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does New Brunswick spend on police?
New Brunswick's city government spent $20.53 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $367 per resident (the 276th highest of 582) and 4.6% 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 New Brunswick spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $12.28 million, $219 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes New Brunswick city government run the schools?
New Brunswick's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $320.60 million, 71.2% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does New Brunswick have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, New Brunswick's city government owed $438.51 million in long-term debt, $7,831 per resident (the 32nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $132.53 million of new long-term debt and repaid $29.11 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does New Brunswick pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $13.72 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 3.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the New Brunswick city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 28.7% from $6,217 to $7,999, spending per resident rose 9.5% to $8,040, taxes per resident rose 128.5% to $1,598.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow New Brunswick 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))
New Brunswick ranks 38 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Huntsville | $6,288 |
| 36 | Philadelphia | $6,279 |
| 37 | Providence | $6,275 |
| 38 | New Brunswick | $6,217 |
| 39 | Bryan | $6,169 |
| 40 | Roseville | $6,148 |
| 41 | Worcester | $6,117 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 22 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | East Orange | $7,656 |
| 20 | New Haven | $7,570 |
| 21 | Denver | $7,357 |
| 22 | New Brunswick | $7,342 |
| 23 | Taunton | $7,181 |
| 24 | Chattanooga | $7,157 |
| 25 | Newton | $7,082 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 593 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 590 | St. Cloud | $702 |
| 591 | North Miami | $701 |
| 592 | Apopka | $701 |
| 593 | New Brunswick | $699 |
| 594 | Miami Gardens | $698 |
| 595 | Lauderhill | $695 |
| 596 | Smyrna | $695 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 346 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 343 | North Richland Hills | $324 |
| 344 | Davis | $324 |
| 345 | Spokane | $324 |
| 346 | New Brunswick | $323 |
| 347 | Schenectady | $323 |
| 348 | Folsom | $323 |
| 349 | Temecula | $323 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 67 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | West Sacramento | $5,769 |
| 65 | Columbus | $5,734 |
| 66 | Evanston | $5,703 |
| 67 | New Brunswick | $5,681 |
| 68 | Perris | $5,615 |
| 69 | New Haven | $5,577 |
| 70 | La Crosse | $5,572 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | West Haven | 100.0% |
| 4 | Perth Amboy | 99.9% |
| 5 | Passaic | 99.8% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 99.4% |
| 7 | Bayonne | 99.3% |
| 8 | Kokomo | 99.1% |
| 9 | Pawtucket | 99.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Brunswick ranks 10 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Union City | 75.5% |
| 8 | West New York | 72.9% |
| 9 | East Orange | 72.0% |
| 10 | New Brunswick | 71.9% |
| 11 | Lynn | 69.8% |
| 12 | Springfield | 69.6% |
| 13 | New Bedford | 63.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 23 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Seattle | $8,097 |
| 21 | Rochester | $8,073 |
| 22 | Hartford | $8,029 |
| 23 | New Brunswick | $7,999 |
| 24 | Alexandria | $7,908 |
| 25 | Portland | $7,889 |
| 26 | Lansing | $7,803 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Waltham | $8,294 |
| 25 | Springfield | $8,223 |
| 26 | Everett | $8,126 |
| 27 | New Brunswick | $8,040 |
| 28 | Union City | $7,934 |
| 29 | Lansing | $7,896 |
| 30 | Denver | $7,841 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 123 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Hollywood | $1,628 |
| 121 | Tracy | $1,617 |
| 122 | Bossier City | $1,599 |
| 123 | New Brunswick | $1,598 |
| 124 | Akron | $1,591 |
| 125 | Aurora | $1,586 |
| 126 | Dothan | $1,579 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 276 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | Royal Oak | $369 |
| 274 | Chesapeake | $368 |
| 275 | Irvine | $367 |
| 276 | New Brunswick | $367 |
| 277 | Visalia | $366 |
| 278 | Brooklyn Park | $366 |
| 279 | South Gate | $365 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 32 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Cleveland | $8,273 |
| 30 | Rock Hill | $8,102 |
| 31 | Seattle | $7,889 |
| 32 | New Brunswick | $7,831 |
| 33 | Baltimore | $7,397 |
| 34 | Norfolk | $7,325 |
| 35 | Palo Alto | $7,266 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | West Haven | 100.0% |
| 4 | Union City | 100.0% |
| 5 | Plainfield | 99.9% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 99.8% |
| 7 | Perth Amboy | 99.4% |
| 8 | Kokomo | 99.0% |
| 9 | Pawtucket | 99.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Brunswick ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Lynn | 64.2% |
| 12 | Hartford | 62.0% |
| 13 | New Bedford | 61.6% |
| 14 | New Brunswick | 60.0% |
| 15 | Lowell | 59.7% |
| 16 | Fall River | 59.5% |
| 17 | Bayonne | 59.4% |
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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…)
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