Government budget and revenue in Portland, Maine: official figures
Portland's city government took in $539.83 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $7,889 for each of its 68,424 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 25th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Portland spend and on what?
It spent $491.21 million in the same year, $7,179 per resident, the 45th 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 (32.3%), sewerage (9.1%) and public welfare (8.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Portland collect per resident?
Taxes raised $248.35 million ($3,630 per resident, the 12th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 46.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Portland rely on?
Of Portland's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 91.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Portland's property tax share is the 91st 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 Portland get?
Payments from other governments made up 25.5% of Portland's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.9% from the federal government ($71 per resident), 24.4% 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 Portland raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $112.43 million, 20.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portland spend on police?
Portland's city government spent $21.59 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $316 per resident (the 214th lowest of 582) and 4.4% 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 Portland spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $19.84 million, $290 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Portland city government run the schools?
Portland's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $158.82 million, 32.3% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Portland have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Portland's city government owed $460.60 million in long-term debt, $6,732 per resident (the 45th highest of 582). During the year it issued $49.59 million of new long-term debt and repaid $47.13 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portland pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $17.87 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Portland city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 19.0% from $6,629 to $7,889, spending per resident rose 35.3% to $7,179, taxes per resident rose 20.2% to $3,630.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Portland 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))
Portland ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Harrisonburg | $6,851 |
| 23 | Seattle | $6,816 |
| 24 | Taunton | $6,757 |
| 25 | Portland | $6,629 |
| 26 | Mountain View | $6,587 |
| 27 | Everett | $6,489 |
| 28 | Trenton | $6,439 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | New Orleans | $5,344 |
| 75 | Lynn | $5,341 |
| 76 | Loveland | $5,321 |
| 77 | Portland | $5,306 |
| 78 | Weymouth Town | $5,271 |
| 79 | Sunnyvale | $5,254 |
| 80 | Lafayette | $5,254 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Mountain View | $3,159 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $3,110 |
| 19 | Warwick | $3,067 |
| 20 | Portland | $3,019 |
| 21 | Everett | $2,989 |
| 22 | Somerville | $2,983 |
| 23 | Framingham | $2,932 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 466 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 463 | Farmington Hills | $280 |
| 464 | Baldwin Park | $280 |
| 465 | Anderson | $279 |
| 466 | Portland | $279 |
| 467 | Eau Claire | $278 |
| 468 | Missoula | $278 |
| 469 | Warwick | $277 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 28 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Dallas | $8,280 |
| 26 | Owensboro | $8,229 |
| 27 | Lakeland | $8,007 |
| 28 | Portland | $7,860 |
| 29 | Redondo Beach | $7,855 |
| 30 | Carmel | $7,823 |
| 31 | Richmond | $7,717 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Everett | 95.5% |
| 63 | Racine | 95.4% |
| 64 | Livonia | 95.4% |
| 65 | Portland | 95.4% |
| 66 | West Allis | 95.1% |
| 67 | St. Clair Shores | 95.0% |
| 68 | Fall River | 94.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 159 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 156 | Erie | 29.9% |
| 157 | Marana | 29.8% |
| 158 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 29.6% |
| 159 | Portland | 29.4% |
| 160 | Glendale | 29.4% |
| 161 | Gallatin | 29.3% |
| 162 | Normal | 29.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Hartford | $8,029 |
| 23 | New Brunswick | $7,999 |
| 24 | Alexandria | $7,908 |
| 25 | Portland | $7,889 |
| 26 | Lansing | $7,803 |
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $7,748 |
| 28 | Kissimmee | $7,595 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 45 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Waterbury | $7,252 |
| 43 | Harrisonburg | $7,247 |
| 44 | Chicopee | $7,180 |
| 45 | Portland | $7,179 |
| 46 | Lowell | $7,075 |
| 47 | Revere | $7,030 |
| 48 | Norman | $6,985 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Santa Monica | $4,430 |
| 10 | Norwalk | $4,194 |
| 11 | Waltham | $3,891 |
| 12 | Portland | $3,630 |
| 13 | Mountain View | $3,609 |
| 14 | Somerville | $3,476 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | $3,371 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 369 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 366 | Fayetteville | $317 |
| 367 | Eden Prairie | $317 |
| 368 | Chula Vista | $316 |
| 369 | Portland | $316 |
| 370 | Green Bay | $315 |
| 371 | Davenport | $315 |
| 372 | Gainesville | $314 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 45 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Suffolk | $6,865 |
| 43 | Lancaster | $6,835 |
| 44 | Columbia | $6,809 |
| 45 | Portland | $6,732 |
| 46 | New Braunfels | $6,707 |
| 47 | Bossier City | $6,692 |
| 48 | Mishawaka | $6,552 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 91 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Missoula | 91.9% |
| 89 | Blaine | 91.7% |
| 90 | Southaven | 91.6% |
| 91 | Portland | 91.2% |
| 92 | Iowa City | 91.1% |
| 93 | Newark | 91.0% |
| 94 | Vineland | 90.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 191 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 188 | Camden | 25.6% |
| 189 | Sioux City | 25.6% |
| 190 | Fayetteville | 25.6% |
| 191 | Portland | 25.5% |
| 192 | Fresno | 25.4% |
| 193 | Columbia | 25.3% |
| 194 | Rochester | 25.3% |
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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.