Government budget and revenue in North Charleston, South Carolina: official figures
North Charleston's city government took in $251.57 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,121 for each of its 118,608 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 129th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does North Charleston spend and on what?
It spent $216.26 million in the same year, $1,823 per resident, the 101st lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were public buildings (22.9%), police (21.7%) and fire protection (14.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does North Charleston collect per resident?
Taxes raised $182.88 million ($1,542 per resident, the 130th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 72.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does North Charleston rely on?
Of North Charleston's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 52.4%, general sales tax 9.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 6.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; North Charleston's property tax share is the 269th 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 North Charleston get?
Payments from other governments made up 12.6% of North Charleston's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.5% from the federal government ($11 per resident), 2.1% from the state and 10.0% 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 North Charleston raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $14.00 million, 5.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does North Charleston spend on police?
North Charleston's city government spent $46.99 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $396 per resident (the 224th highest of 582) and 21.7% 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 North Charleston spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $31.17 million, $263 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does North Charleston have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, North Charleston's city government owed $268.70 million in long-term debt, $2,265 per resident (the 288th highest of 582). During the year it issued $29.39 million of new long-term debt and repaid $13.73 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does North Charleston pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $10.72 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the North Charleston city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 32.3% from $1,603 to $2,121, spending per resident rose 29.0% to $1,823, taxes per resident rose 22.3% to $1,542.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow North Charleston 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))
North Charleston ranks 616 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 613 | Thousand Oaks | $1,615 |
| 614 | Costa Mesa | $1,612 |
| 615 | Wichita | $1,611 |
| 616 | North Charleston | $1,603 |
| 617 | Salinas | $1,594 |
| 618 | Bellevue | $1,591 |
| 619 | Palm Bay | $1,584 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 625 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 622 | Alhambra | $1,423 |
| 623 | San Angelo | $1,418 |
| 624 | Rio Rancho | $1,416 |
| 625 | North Charleston | $1,414 |
| 626 | Brooklyn Park | $1,414 |
| 627 | North Las Vegas | $1,411 |
| 628 | Hialeah | $1,407 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 207 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 204 | Livermore | $1,266 |
| 205 | Vancouver | $1,265 |
| 206 | Plainfield | $1,262 |
| 207 | North Charleston | $1,261 |
| 208 | Gardena | $1,256 |
| 209 | Glendale | $1,256 |
| 210 | Sacramento | $1,252 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 289 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 286 | Deerfield Beach | $350 |
| 287 | Riverside | $349 |
| 288 | Columbus | $349 |
| 289 | North Charleston | $349 |
| 290 | Lake Havasu City | $347 |
| 291 | Sparks | $346 |
| 292 | Mishawaka | $345 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 309 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 306 | Racine | $2,346 |
| 307 | Conway | $2,343 |
| 308 | Jeffersonville | $2,325 |
| 309 | North Charleston | $2,315 |
| 310 | Davenport | $2,306 |
| 311 | Lakeville | $2,297 |
| 312 | Kenosha | $2,292 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 350 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 347 | Laguna Niguel | 53.0% |
| 348 | Wichita | 52.9% |
| 349 | Port Orange | 52.8% |
| 350 | North Charleston | 52.5% |
| 351 | Herriman | 52.4% |
| 352 | Fullerton | 52.3% |
| 353 | Jacksonville | 52.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
North Charleston ranks 720 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 717 | Boulder | 3.5% |
| 718 | Hempstead | 3.5% |
| 719 | Lee's Summit | 3.5% |
| 720 | North Charleston | 3.5% |
| 721 | Lawrence | 3.2% |
| 722 | Richardson | 2.7% |
| 723 | Kansas City | 2.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 454 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 451 | Hoover | $2,126 |
| 452 | Smyrna | $2,124 |
| 453 | Miramar | $2,123 |
| 454 | North Charleston | $2,121 |
| 455 | Lauderhill | $2,121 |
| 456 | Plainfield | $2,113 |
| 457 | Wichita | $2,109 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 482 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 479 | Gilbert | $1,841 |
| 480 | Lincoln | $1,838 |
| 481 | Coconut Creek | $1,825 |
| 482 | North Charleston | $1,823 |
| 483 | Fremont | $1,821 |
| 484 | Palm Coast | $1,813 |
| 485 | Valdosta | $1,805 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 130 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 127 | Elizabeth | $1,559 |
| 128 | Mishawaka | $1,554 |
| 129 | Las Cruces | $1,542 |
| 130 | North Charleston | $1,542 |
| 131 | Pompano Beach | $1,537 |
| 132 | Greeley | $1,531 |
| 133 | Irving | $1,528 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 224 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 221 | Holly Springs | $397 |
| 222 | Miramar | $397 |
| 223 | Asheville | $396 |
| 224 | North Charleston | $396 |
| 225 | Trenton | $396 |
| 226 | Bothell | $395 |
| 227 | Bellevue | $394 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 288 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 285 | Pensacola | $2,272 |
| 286 | Burbank | $2,270 |
| 287 | Hollywood | $2,268 |
| 288 | North Charleston | $2,265 |
| 289 | Alameda | $2,262 |
| 290 | Racine | $2,259 |
| 291 | Cary | $2,247 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 312 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 309 | Fishers | 52.8% |
| 310 | Gresham | 52.7% |
| 311 | Brookhaven | 52.5% |
| 312 | North Charleston | 52.4% |
| 313 | Albany | 52.3% |
| 314 | Valdosta | 52.2% |
| 315 | Burleson | 52.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
North Charleston ranks 401 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 398 | North Miami | 12.7% |
| 399 | Council Bluffs | 12.6% |
| 400 | Coconut Creek | 12.6% |
| 401 | North Charleston | 12.6% |
| 402 | Longmont | 12.6% |
| 403 | Riverside | 12.5% |
| 404 | North Richland Hills | 12.5% |
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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.