Government budget and revenue in Raleigh, North Carolina: official figures
Raleigh's city government took in $1.3 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,767 for each of its 476,587 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 278th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Raleigh spend and on what?
It spent $1.3 billion in the same year, $2,704 per resident, the 289th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (20.2%), the water utility (13.8%) and police (11.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Raleigh collect per resident?
Taxes raised $540.95 million ($1,135 per resident, the 259th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 45.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Raleigh rely on?
Of Raleigh's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 66.5%, general sales tax 28.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Raleigh's property tax share is the 203rd 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 Raleigh get?
Payments from other governments made up 19.0% of Raleigh's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 7.3% from the federal government ($182 per resident), 5.3% from the state and 6.5% 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 Raleigh raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $331.83 million, 28.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $134.50 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Raleigh spend on police?
Raleigh's city government spent $142.93 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $300 per resident (the 186th lowest of 582) and 11.1% 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 Raleigh spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $80.15 million, $168 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Raleigh have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Raleigh's city government owed $1.6 billion in long-term debt, $3,303 per resident (the 173rd highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $103.00 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Raleigh pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $59.60 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 4.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Raleigh city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 19.1% from $2,324 to $2,767, spending per resident rose 21.0% to $2,704, taxes per resident rose 13.5% to $1,135.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Raleigh 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))
Raleigh ranks 376 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 373 | Gilroy | $2,330 |
| 374 | Hayward | $2,327 |
| 375 | Olathe | $2,325 |
| 376 | Raleigh | $2,324 |
| 377 | Shreveport | $2,323 |
| 378 | Beaumont | $2,323 |
| 379 | North Port | $2,320 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 358 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 355 | Columbus | $2,245 |
| 356 | Cape Coral | $2,243 |
| 357 | Taylor | $2,242 |
| 358 | Raleigh | $2,236 |
| 359 | Escondido | $2,236 |
| 360 | St. Cloud | $2,235 |
| 361 | Flower Mound | $2,221 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 335 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | Iowa City | $1,005 |
| 333 | Owensboro | $1,002 |
| 334 | Overland Park | $1,001 |
| 335 | Raleigh | $1,000 |
| 336 | Indio | $998 |
| 337 | Cathedral City | $997 |
| 338 | Normal | $996 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 535 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 532 | Southaven | $253 |
| 533 | Wichita | $253 |
| 534 | Menifee | $253 |
| 535 | Raleigh | $252 |
| 536 | Laguna Niguel | $251 |
| 537 | Camarillo | $251 |
| 538 | New Britain | $250 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 223 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Richland | $2,947 |
| 221 | Irving | $2,944 |
| 222 | Jersey City | $2,943 |
| 223 | Raleigh | $2,938 |
| 224 | Torrance | $2,911 |
| 225 | Green Bay | $2,909 |
| 226 | Carson City | $2,906 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 255 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 252 | Lakeland | 61.6% |
| 253 | Ocoee | 61.6% |
| 254 | Rock Hill | 61.5% |
| 255 | Raleigh | 61.5% |
| 256 | Fort Myers | 61.4% |
| 257 | Dubuque | 61.4% |
| 258 | Sanford | 61.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Raleigh ranks 316 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 313 | Doral | 19.9% |
| 314 | Minneapolis | 19.9% |
| 315 | Hialeah | 19.8% |
| 316 | Raleigh | 19.8% |
| 317 | Asheville | 19.8% |
| 318 | Lynwood | 19.8% |
| 319 | Grand Forks | 19.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 305 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 302 | Corvallis | $2,774 |
| 303 | Corpus Christi | $2,770 |
| 304 | Fresno | $2,769 |
| 305 | Raleigh | $2,767 |
| 306 | Waterloo | $2,762 |
| 307 | Council Bluffs | $2,759 |
| 308 | Thornton | $2,758 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 289 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 286 | Chapel Hill | $2,712 |
| 287 | Whittier | $2,711 |
| 288 | Bloomington | $2,706 |
| 289 | Raleigh | $2,704 |
| 290 | McKinney | $2,703 |
| 291 | Newark | $2,702 |
| 292 | Downers Grove | $2,701 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 259 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | Edmond | $1,144 |
| 257 | Owensboro | $1,138 |
| 258 | Lebanon | $1,136 |
| 259 | Raleigh | $1,135 |
| 260 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $1,129 |
| 261 | Norman | $1,129 |
| 262 | Surprise | $1,127 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 397 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 394 | Virginia Beach | $301 |
| 395 | Bend | $301 |
| 396 | Conroe | $301 |
| 397 | Raleigh | $300 |
| 398 | Huntsville | $299 |
| 399 | Richardson | $299 |
| 400 | Cape Coral | $299 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 173 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | Skokie | $3,361 |
| 171 | McKinney | $3,352 |
| 172 | Hartford | $3,346 |
| 173 | Raleigh | $3,303 |
| 174 | Flagstaff | $3,285 |
| 175 | Chicopee | $3,279 |
| 176 | Buckeye | $3,268 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 203 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Orlando | 66.8% |
| 201 | Leander | 66.7% |
| 202 | Burlington | 66.5% |
| 203 | Raleigh | 66.5% |
| 204 | Lansing | 66.0% |
| 205 | Coconut Creek | 65.9% |
| 206 | Columbus | 65.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Raleigh ranks 280 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 277 | Dunwoody | 19.3% |
| 278 | Sanford | 19.1% |
| 279 | Marietta | 19.1% |
| 280 | Raleigh | 19.0% |
| 281 | Melbourne | 19.0% |
| 282 | Waukesha | 19.0% |
| 283 | Miami | 18.9% |
More on Raleigh: 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.