Government budget and revenue in Providence, Rhode Island: official figures
Providence's city government took in $1.3 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $6,786 for each of its 189,563 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 37th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Providence spend and on what?
It spent $1.2 billion in the same year, $6,519 per resident, the 58th 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 (50.0%), police (8.9%) and fire protection (7.7%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Providence collect per resident?
Taxes raised $390.23 million ($2,059 per resident, the 75th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 32.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Providence rely on?
Of Providence's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 95.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 2.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Providence's property tax share is the 47th 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 Providence get?
Payments from other governments made up 52.0% of Providence's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.0% from the federal government ($319 per resident), 34.7% from the state and 12.3% 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 Providence raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $129.37 million, 10.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $88.04 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Providence spend on police?
Providence's city government spent $110.52 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $583 per resident (the 64th highest of 582) and 8.9% 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 Providence spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $94.68 million, $499 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Providence city government run the schools?
Providence's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $617.34 million, 50.0% 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 Providence have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Providence's city government owed $660.30 million in long-term debt, $3,483 per resident (the 162nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $40.73 million of new long-term debt and repaid $66.14 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Providence pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $38.75 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Providence city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 8.1% from $6,275 to $6,786, spending per resident rose 14.1% to $6,519, taxes per resident fell 1.7% to $2,059.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Providence 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))
Providence ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | East Orange | $6,306 |
| 35 | Huntsville | $6,288 |
| 36 | Philadelphia | $6,279 |
| 37 | Providence | $6,275 |
| 38 | New Brunswick | $6,217 |
| 39 | Bryan | $6,169 |
| 40 | Roseville | $6,148 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 64 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Huntsville | $5,790 |
| 62 | Ocala | $5,722 |
| 63 | Broomfield | $5,718 |
| 64 | Providence | $5,715 |
| 65 | Long Beach | $5,657 |
| 66 | Tacoma | $5,635 |
| 67 | Barnstable Town | $5,626 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | San Luis Obispo | $2,161 |
| 64 | Berkeley | $2,115 |
| 65 | South San Francisco | $2,111 |
| 66 | Providence | $2,094 |
| 67 | Lafayette | $2,094 |
| 68 | Bellevue | $2,086 |
| 69 | Commerce City | $2,076 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 79 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Concord | $511 |
| 77 | Murray | $509 |
| 78 | Richmond | $508 |
| 79 | Providence | $506 |
| 80 | San Jose | $504 |
| 81 | Dearborn | $501 |
| 82 | Detroit | $500 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 127 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 124 | Aurora | $4,202 |
| 125 | Dubuque | $4,177 |
| 126 | Palm Desert | $4,158 |
| 127 | Providence | $4,092 |
| 128 | Sherman | $4,076 |
| 129 | Edmond | $4,064 |
| 130 | Hartford | $4,029 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 53 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | West New York | 96.0% |
| 51 | Medford | 95.9% |
| 52 | Chicopee | 95.9% |
| 53 | Providence | 95.9% |
| 54 | Hoboken | 95.8% |
| 55 | Lawrence | 95.8% |
| 56 | Brockton | 95.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Providence ranks 33 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Las Vegas | 50.5% |
| 31 | Malden | 49.2% |
| 32 | Bayonne | 49.1% |
| 33 | Providence | 49.0% |
| 34 | Mount Prospect | 48.7% |
| 35 | Albany | 48.2% |
| 36 | Yonkers | 47.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Pasadena | $6,910 |
| 35 | Norfolk | $6,898 |
| 36 | Harrisonburg | $6,838 |
| 37 | Providence | $6,786 |
| 38 | Newport News | $6,757 |
| 39 | New Orleans | $6,740 |
| 40 | Mountain View | $6,699 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Ocala | $6,701 |
| 56 | Fall River | $6,611 |
| 57 | Worcester | $6,531 |
| 58 | Providence | $6,519 |
| 59 | New Orleans | $6,502 |
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
| 61 | Portsmouth | $6,277 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 75 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Haverhill | $2,084 |
| 73 | Lynchburg | $2,071 |
| 74 | Worcester | $2,060 |
| 75 | Providence | $2,059 |
| 76 | Inglewood | $2,051 |
| 77 | Boulder | $2,033 |
| 78 | Cleveland | $2,024 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 64 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Daytona Beach | $588 |
| 62 | Mesa | $586 |
| 63 | Huntington Beach | $585 |
| 64 | Providence | $583 |
| 65 | Cambridge | $582 |
| 66 | Cincinnati | $580 |
| 67 | Boynton Beach | $572 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 162 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | Decatur | $3,536 |
| 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 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 47 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Malden | 95.8% |
| 45 | Livonia | 95.7% |
| 46 | Warren | 95.7% |
| 47 | Providence | 95.6% |
| 48 | Hempstead | 95.6% |
| 49 | Bridgeport | 95.6% |
| 50 | Dearborn | 95.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Providence ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Kingsport | 52.7% |
| 25 | Everett | 52.1% |
| 26 | Waterbury | 52.1% |
| 27 | Providence | 52.0% |
| 28 | Albany | 51.9% |
| 29 | Collierville | 51.9% |
| 30 | Chicopee | 51.7% |
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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.