Government budget and revenue in Portsmouth, Virginia: official figures
Portsmouth's city government took in $570.61 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,881 for each of its 97,029 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 65th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Portsmouth spend and on what?
It spent $609.09 million in the same year, $6,277 per resident, the 61st 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 (37.4%), police (7.8%) and fire protection (7.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Portsmouth collect per resident?
Taxes raised $209.89 million ($2,163 per resident, the 65th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 38.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Portsmouth rely on?
Of Portsmouth's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 75.0%, general sales tax 5.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 13.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Portsmouth's property tax share is the 144th 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 Portsmouth get?
Payments from other governments made up 42.6% of Portsmouth's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 6.4% from the federal government ($360 per resident), 35.2% from the state and 0.9% 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 Portsmouth raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $66.48 million, 12.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $27.42 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portsmouth spend on police?
Portsmouth's city government spent $47.49 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $489 per resident (the 133rd highest of 582) and 7.8% 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 Portsmouth spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $43.87 million, $452 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Portsmouth city government run the schools?
Portsmouth's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $227.62 million, 37.4% 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 Portsmouth have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Portsmouth's city government owed $580.75 million in long-term debt, $5,985 per resident (the 59th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $28.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Portsmouth pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $17.00 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Portsmouth city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.6% from $5,043 to $5,881, spending per resident rose 16.4% to $6,277, taxes per resident rose 4.9% to $2,163.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Portsmouth 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))
Portsmouth ranks 83 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Los Angeles | $5,088 |
| 81 | Roanoke | $5,077 |
| 82 | Santa Barbara | $5,067 |
| 83 | Portsmouth | $5,043 |
| 84 | Nashua | $5,037 |
| 85 | Burbank | $5,025 |
| 86 | New Britain | $4,950 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 73 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Baton Rouge | $5,512 |
| 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 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 71 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 68 | Bellevue | $2,086 |
| 69 | Commerce City | $2,076 |
| 70 | Cincinnati | $2,074 |
| 71 | Portsmouth | $2,063 |
| 72 | Galveston | $2,058 |
| 73 | Worcester | $2,051 |
| 74 | Haverhill | $2,029 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 331 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 328 | Aurora | $329 |
| 329 | Bellevue | $328 |
| 330 | Edmond | $328 |
| 331 | Portsmouth | $327 |
| 332 | Brooklyn Park | $327 |
| 333 | Springfield | $327 |
| 334 | Pawtucket | $327 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 63 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Lancaster | $6,038 |
| 61 | Richmond | $5,994 |
| 62 | Arlington | $5,964 |
| 63 | Portsmouth | $5,868 |
| 64 | West Sacramento | $5,769 |
| 65 | Columbus | $5,734 |
| 66 | Evanston | $5,703 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 163 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | Eugene | 72.5% |
| 161 | Kingsport | 72.0% |
| 162 | Harrisonburg | 72.0% |
| 163 | Portsmouth | 71.9% |
| 164 | Newport News | 71.6% |
| 165 | Cape Coral | 71.5% |
| 166 | Athens | 71.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Portsmouth ranks 61 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Murfreesboro | 41.5% |
| 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% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Lowell | $6,057 |
| 63 | Waltham | $6,003 |
| 64 | Burbank | $5,975 |
| 65 | Portsmouth | $5,881 |
| 66 | Lawrence | $5,866 |
| 67 | Memphis | $5,855 |
| 68 | Yonkers | $5,816 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth ranks 61 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 58 | Providence | $6,519 |
| 59 | New Orleans | $6,502 |
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
| 61 | Portsmouth | $6,277 |
| 62 | Ames | $6,272 |
| 63 | Baton Rouge | $6,268 |
| 64 | Roseville | $6,264 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth ranks 65 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 62 | Pasadena | $2,235 |
| 63 | Waterbury | $2,216 |
| 64 | Atlanta | $2,198 |
| 65 | Portsmouth | $2,163 |
| 66 | Mobile | $2,146 |
| 67 | Portland | $2,139 |
| 68 | Santa Barbara | $2,104 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth ranks 133 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Coconut Creek | $490 |
| 131 | Lakeland | $490 |
| 132 | Worcester | $490 |
| 133 | Portsmouth | $489 |
| 134 | Seattle | $489 |
| 135 | North Miami | $487 |
| 136 | Clearwater | $486 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth 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 long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Lakeland | $6,046 |
| 57 | Berwyn | $6,026 |
| 58 | Arlington | $5,997 |
| 59 | Portsmouth | $5,985 |
| 60 | Roseville | $5,919 |
| 61 | Galveston | $5,849 |
| 62 | Garland | $5,818 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth ranks 144 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 141 | West Des Moines | 75.4% |
| 142 | Jeffersonville | 75.3% |
| 143 | Suffolk | 75.2% |
| 144 | Portsmouth | 75.0% |
| 145 | Mount Prospect | 74.9% |
| 146 | St. Paul | 74.8% |
| 147 | Newport News | 74.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Portsmouth 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 | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 56 | Springfield | 43.1% |
| 57 | Milwaukee | 43.1% |
| 58 | Baltimore | 43.0% |
| 59 | Portsmouth | 42.6% |
| 60 | Sandy Springs | 42.5% |
| 61 | Taunton | 41.8% |
| 62 | Newark | 41.4% |
More on Portsmouth: 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.