Government budget and revenue in Oakland, California: official figures
Oakland's city government took in $2.2 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,100 for each of its 430,553 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 100th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Oakland spend and on what?
It spent $2.2 billion in the same year, $5,006 per resident, the 102nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.1%), central administration (12.5%) and roads and highways (11.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Oakland collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.1 billion ($2,550 per resident, the 41st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 50.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Oakland rely on?
Of Oakland's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 49.4%, general sales tax 8.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 23.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Oakland's property tax share is the 240th 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 Oakland get?
Payments from other governments made up 10.7% of Oakland's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 4.7% from the federal government ($240 per resident), 5.3% from the state and 0.6% 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 Oakland raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $655.30 million, 29.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Oakland spend on police?
Oakland's city government spent $347.61 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $807 per resident (the 21st highest of 582) and 16.1% 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 Oakland spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $198.73 million, $462 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Oakland have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Oakland's city government owed $1.5 billion in long-term debt, $3,481 per resident (the 163rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $153.60 million of new long-term debt and repaid $290.91 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Oakland pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $65.44 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Oakland city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 4.2% from $4,895 to $5,100, spending per resident rose 21.2% to $5,006, taxes per resident rose 4.9% to $2,550.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Oakland 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))
Oakland ranks 88 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Burbank | $5,025 |
| 86 | New Britain | $4,950 |
| 87 | Logan | $4,948 |
| 88 | Oakland | $4,895 |
| 89 | Decatur | $4,849 |
| 90 | Warwick | $4,804 |
| 91 | Berkeley | $4,782 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland ranks 128 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 125 | West Haven | $4,167 |
| 126 | Inglewood | $4,147 |
| 127 | West Palm Beach | $4,133 |
| 128 | Oakland | $4,130 |
| 129 | Pensacola | $4,129 |
| 130 | Malden | $4,104 |
| 131 | Decatur | $4,098 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland 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 taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $2,531 |
| 36 | Hartford | $2,501 |
| 37 | Waterbury | $2,486 |
| 38 | Oakland | $2,431 |
| 39 | Peabody | $2,429 |
| 40 | White Plains | $2,427 |
| 41 | Celina | $2,425 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Newport Beach | $860 |
| 10 | Mooresville | $850 |
| 11 | Baltimore | $792 |
| 12 | Oakland | $757 |
| 13 | St. Louis | $755 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | $749 |
| 15 | Bridgeport | $747 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland ranks 134 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 131 | Enid | $4,022 |
| 132 | Norwalk | $3,948 |
| 133 | Manchester | $3,936 |
| 134 | Oakland | $3,933 |
| 135 | San Diego | $3,927 |
| 136 | Bend | $3,884 |
| 137 | Sacramento | $3,881 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland ranks 404 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | Santee | 45.4% |
| 402 | Baytown | 45.4% |
| 403 | San Jose | 45.4% |
| 404 | Oakland | 45.3% |
| 405 | Tinley Park | 44.9% |
| 406 | Brookhaven | 44.9% |
| 407 | Millcreek | 44.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Oakland ranks 426 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 423 | El Monte | 15.7% |
| 424 | Idaho Falls | 15.7% |
| 425 | Greeley | 15.7% |
| 426 | Oakland | 15.7% |
| 427 | West Des Moines | 15.6% |
| 428 | Winter Haven | 15.6% |
| 429 | Birmingham | 15.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Anaheim | $5,124 |
| 98 | Greenville | $5,122 |
| 99 | Gainesville | $5,116 |
| 100 | Oakland | $5,100 |
| 101 | Lynchburg | $4,993 |
| 102 | Warwick | $4,957 |
| 103 | Berkeley | $4,944 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 102 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | San Diego | $5,099 |
| 100 | Malden | $5,061 |
| 101 | Grand Island | $5,032 |
| 102 | Oakland | $5,006 |
| 103 | San Antonio | $4,993 |
| 104 | Pawtucket | $4,974 |
| 105 | Detroit | $4,942 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 41 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | Weymouth Town | $2,606 |
| 39 | Galveston | $2,587 |
| 40 | Roanoke | $2,574 |
| 41 | Oakland | $2,550 |
| 42 | Harrisonburg | $2,507 |
| 43 | Huntsville | $2,490 |
| 44 | Urban Honolulu | $2,471 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Pasadena | $831 |
| 19 | Sarasota | $819 |
| 20 | Ocala | $815 |
| 21 | Oakland | $807 |
| 22 | Ontario | $799 |
| 23 | New York | $791 |
| 24 | Queen Creek | $779 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 163 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | Fall River | $3,532 |
| 161 | Cincinnati | $3,506 |
| 162 | Providence | $3,483 |
| 163 | Oakland | $3,481 |
| 164 | Clarksville | $3,469 |
| 165 | Cape Coral | $3,469 |
| 166 | Tampa | $3,448 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 341 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 338 | Duluth | 49.9% |
| 339 | Oceanside | 49.6% |
| 340 | Port St. Lucie | 49.5% |
| 341 | Oakland | 49.4% |
| 342 | Huntington Beach | 49.3% |
| 343 | Marietta | 49.2% |
| 344 | Flint | 49.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Oakland ranks 448 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 445 | Rockville | 10.8% |
| 446 | Oklahoma City | 10.8% |
| 447 | Clearwater | 10.8% |
| 448 | Oakland | 10.7% |
| 449 | Pasadena | 10.6% |
| 450 | San Jose | 10.6% |
| 451 | Greeley | 10.6% |
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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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