Government budget and revenue in New Orleans, Louisiana: official figures
New Orleans' city government took in $2.5 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, or $6,740 for each of its 369,749 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 39th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does New Orleans spend and on what?
It spent $2.4 billion in the same year, $6,502 per resident, the 59th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were housing and community development (14.0%), sewerage (11.4%) and the water utility (8.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does New Orleans collect per resident?
Taxes raised $772.68 million ($2,090 per resident, the 71st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, 32.6% 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 Orleans rely on?
Of New Orleans' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, property tax made up 46.3%, general sales tax 37.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; New Orleans' property tax share is the 226th 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 New Orleans get?
Payments from other governments made up 41.2% of New Orleans' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023: 20.8% from the federal government ($1,330 per resident), 19.9% from the state and 0.5% 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 New Orleans raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $538.21 million, 22.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $124.56 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does New Orleans spend on police?
New Orleans' city government spent $174.56 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, $472 per resident (the 153rd highest of 582) and 7.3% 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 New Orleans spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $138.15 million, $374 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does New Orleans have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, New Orleans' city government owed $619.08 million in long-term debt, $1,674 per resident (the 215th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $55.09 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does New Orleans pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $116.26 million in the fiscal year ended 30 November 2023, 4.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the New Orleans city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 17.2% from $5,749 to $6,740, spending per resident rose 21.7% to $6,502, taxes per resident rose 23.4% to $2,090.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow New Orleans 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 Orleans ranks 58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Anchorage | $5,806 |
| 56 | Buffalo | $5,791 |
| 57 | Stamford | $5,758 |
| 58 | New Orleans | $5,749 |
| 59 | Ocala | $5,743 |
| 60 | Salt Lake City | $5,730 |
| 61 | Lawrence | $5,705 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Orleans ranks 74 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | Revere | $5,460 |
| 72 | Lawrence | $5,453 |
| 73 | Portsmouth | $5,391 |
| 74 | New Orleans | $5,344 |
| 75 | Lynn | $5,341 |
| 76 | Loveland | $5,321 |
| 77 | Portland | $5,306 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Orleans ranks 107 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Cupertino | $1,711 |
| 105 | Atlanta | $1,711 |
| 106 | Lynn | $1,700 |
| 107 | New Orleans | $1,693 |
| 108 | Burbank | $1,689 |
| 109 | Santa Fe | $1,680 |
| 110 | Torrance | $1,664 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Orleans ranks 125 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 122 | Hoffman Estates | $453 |
| 123 | Broomfield | $452 |
| 124 | West Sacramento | $450 |
| 125 | New Orleans | $450 |
| 126 | Hanford | $449 |
| 127 | Racine | $448 |
| 128 | Boynton Beach | $448 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Orleans ranks 208 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Stockton | $3,121 |
| 206 | White Plains | $3,115 |
| 207 | Broken Arrow | $3,097 |
| 208 | New Orleans | $3,070 |
| 209 | Redding | $3,065 |
| 210 | Lawrence | $3,064 |
| 211 | Sunnyvale | $3,054 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
New Orleans ranks 357 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 354 | Redondo Beach | 52.2% |
| 355 | San Angelo | 52.1% |
| 356 | Bonita Springs | 52.0% |
| 357 | New Orleans | 51.9% |
| 358 | San Antonio | 51.8% |
| 359 | Palmdale | 51.8% |
| 360 | Kansas City | 51.7% |
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 Orleans ranks 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Springfield | 41.3% |
| 60 | Jackson | 41.3% |
| 61 | Portsmouth | 41.2% |
| 62 | New Orleans | 41.0% |
| 63 | Manchester | 40.8% |
| 64 | Pensacola | 40.5% |
| 65 | Athens | 39.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Harrisonburg | $6,838 |
| 37 | Providence | $6,786 |
| 38 | Newport News | $6,757 |
| 39 | New Orleans | $6,740 |
| 40 | Mountain View | $6,699 |
| 41 | Chicopee | $6,691 |
| 42 | Huntsville | $6,677 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 59 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Fall River | $6,611 |
| 57 | Worcester | $6,531 |
| 58 | Providence | $6,519 |
| 59 | New Orleans | $6,502 |
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
| 61 | Portsmouth | $6,277 |
| 62 | Ames | $6,272 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 71 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Santa Barbara | $2,104 |
| 69 | Berkeley | $2,102 |
| 70 | Boca Raton | $2,090 |
| 71 | New Orleans | $2,090 |
| 72 | Haverhill | $2,084 |
| 73 | Lynchburg | $2,071 |
| 74 | Worcester | $2,060 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 153 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | Miami Gardens | $474 |
| 151 | Reno | $473 |
| 152 | Hartford | $473 |
| 153 | New Orleans | $472 |
| 154 | Everett | $468 |
| 155 | Fresno | $464 |
| 156 | Savannah | $460 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 368 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 365 | Chapel Hill | $1,681 |
| 366 | Pittsburgh | $1,678 |
| 367 | Carrollton | $1,677 |
| 368 | New Orleans | $1,674 |
| 369 | Whittier | $1,664 |
| 370 | Warren | $1,664 |
| 371 | Lauderhill | $1,654 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
New Orleans ranks 355 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 352 | White Plains | 47.1% |
| 353 | Denton | 46.8% |
| 354 | Bismarck | 46.4% |
| 355 | New Orleans | 46.3% |
| 356 | San Jose | 46.0% |
| 357 | Sarasota | 46.0% |
| 358 | Alameda | 46.0% |
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 Orleans ranks 64 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Taunton | 41.8% |
| 62 | Newark | 41.4% |
| 63 | Murfreesboro | 41.4% |
| 64 | New Orleans | 41.2% |
| 65 | Caldwell | 40.8% |
| 66 | Pensacola | 40.7% |
| 67 | Kissimmee | 40.5% |
More on New Orleans: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.