Government budget and revenue in Portland, Oregon: official figures
Portland's city government took in $2.8 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $4,429 for each of its 635,067 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 129th 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 $2.6 billion in the same year, $4,074 per resident, the 148th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (19.8%), the water utility (10.8%) and police (10.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Portland collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.4 billion ($2,139 per resident, the 67th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 53.4% 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 51.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 29.2%. 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 252nd 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 Portland get?
Payments from other governments made up 14.2% of Portland's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 6.8% from the federal government ($273 per resident), 3.3% from the state and 4.1% 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 Portland raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $636.10 million, 25.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $267.98 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portland spend on police?
Portland's city government spent $276.52 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $435 per resident (the 188th highest of 582) and 10.7% 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 Portland spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $180.61 million, $284 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
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 $3.1 billion in long-term debt, $4,916 per resident (the 92nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $262.73 million of new long-term debt and repaid $272.76 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portland pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $154.94 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 6.0% 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 11.1% from $3,985 to $4,429, spending per resident rose 25.2% to $4,074, taxes per resident rose 5.8% to $2,139.
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 144 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | Marietta | $3,996 |
| 142 | Medford | $3,989 |
| 143 | Santa Cruz | $3,987 |
| 144 | Portland | $3,985 |
| 145 | Tallahassee | $3,980 |
| 146 | Fort Pierce | $3,974 |
| 147 | Kingsport | $3,964 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 199 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 196 | Santa Cruz | $3,275 |
| 197 | Charlotte | $3,263 |
| 198 | High Point | $3,257 |
| 199 | Portland | $3,254 |
| 200 | Anaheim | $3,253 |
| 201 | Fort Myers | $3,252 |
| 202 | Bellevue | $3,238 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 75 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Galveston | $2,058 |
| 73 | Worcester | $2,051 |
| 74 | Haverhill | $2,029 |
| 75 | Portland | $2,021 |
| 76 | Kansas City | $2,003 |
| 77 | Grapevine | $1,993 |
| 78 | Delray Beach | $1,988 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 336 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 333 | Springfield | $327 |
| 334 | Pawtucket | $327 |
| 335 | Chandler | $327 |
| 336 | Portland | $327 |
| 337 | Bristol | $326 |
| 338 | Passaic | $326 |
| 339 | Winston-Salem | $325 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 99 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Ontario | $4,790 |
| 97 | Phoenix | $4,778 |
| 98 | Corona | $4,774 |
| 99 | Portland | $4,719 |
| 100 | Kissimmee | $4,716 |
| 101 | West Covina | $4,701 |
| 102 | Brockton | $4,695 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland ranks 325 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 322 | El Paso | 54.9% |
| 323 | Baltimore | 54.8% |
| 324 | College Station | 54.8% |
| 325 | Portland | 54.7% |
| 326 | Gaithersburg | 54.7% |
| 327 | Collierville | 54.7% |
| 328 | Gresham | 54.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portland 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 | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | Davenport | 16.4% |
| 402 | Bozeman | 16.4% |
| 403 | Tampa | 16.3% |
| 404 | Portland | 16.3% |
| 405 | Lexington | 16.3% |
| 406 | Jurupa Valley | 16.2% |
| 407 | Medford | 16.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 129 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | Anderson | $4,503 |
| 127 | Weymouth Town | $4,458 |
| 128 | Bentonville | $4,435 |
| 129 | Portland | $4,429 |
| 130 | Savannah | $4,414 |
| 131 | Dallas | $4,400 |
| 132 | New Braunfels | $4,381 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 148 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 145 | Orlando | $4,152 |
| 146 | Sacramento | $4,146 |
| 147 | Springfield | $4,134 |
| 148 | Portland | $4,074 |
| 149 | West Palm Beach | $4,062 |
| 150 | Anaheim | $4,060 |
| 151 | Rocky Mount | $4,051 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 67 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | Atlanta | $2,198 |
| 65 | Portsmouth | $2,163 |
| 66 | Mobile | $2,146 |
| 67 | Portland | $2,139 |
| 68 | Santa Barbara | $2,104 |
| 69 | Berkeley | $2,102 |
| 70 | Boca Raton | $2,090 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 188 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | Riverside | $436 |
| 186 | Schaumburg | $436 |
| 187 | Taunton | $435 |
| 188 | Portland | $435 |
| 189 | North Richland Hills | $435 |
| 190 | Elkhart | $435 |
| 191 | Columbus | $434 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Lubbock | $4,971 |
| 90 | Worcester | $4,965 |
| 91 | Lynchburg | $4,940 |
| 92 | Portland | $4,916 |
| 93 | Huntsville | $4,882 |
| 94 | Harrisonburg | $4,826 |
| 95 | Brockton | $4,787 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portland ranks 329 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 326 | Berkeley | 51.5% |
| 327 | Nashville | 51.5% |
| 328 | Corpus Christi | 51.4% |
| 329 | Portland | 51.3% |
| 330 | Savannah | 51.3% |
| 331 | Wichita | 50.9% |
| 332 | Pontiac | 50.8% |
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 363 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 360 | Edmond | 14.3% |
| 361 | St. Charles | 14.3% |
| 362 | Eagan | 14.3% |
| 363 | Portland | 14.2% |
| 364 | Sarasota | 14.2% |
| 365 | Boynton Beach | 14.1% |
| 366 | Tampa | 14.0% |
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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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