Government budget and revenue in Richmond, Virginia: official figures
Richmond's city government took in $2.0 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $8,799 for each of its 229,395 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 12th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Richmond spend and on what?
It spent $2.3 billion in the same year, $9,932 per resident, the 14th 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 (23.4%), police (7.8%) and sewerage (7.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Richmond collect per resident?
Taxes raised $771.90 million ($3,365 per resident, the 16th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 44.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Richmond rely on?
Of Richmond's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 73.1%, general sales tax 6.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 13.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Richmond's property tax share is the 152nd 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 Richmond get?
Payments from other governments made up 35.1% of Richmond's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 13.8% from the federal government ($1,059 per resident), 19.9% from the state and 1.3% 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 Richmond raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $236.89 million, 13.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $264.47 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Richmond spend on police?
Richmond's city government spent $178.08 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $776 per resident (the 26th 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 Richmond spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $138.56 million, $604 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Richmond city government run the schools?
Richmond's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $532.26 million, 23.4% 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 Richmond have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Richmond's city government owed $2.0 billion in long-term debt, $8,569 per resident (the 26th highest of 582). During the year it issued $252.82 million of new long-term debt and repaid $96.58 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Richmond pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $52.22 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Richmond city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 19.0% from $7,394 to $8,799, spending per resident rose 26.5% to $9,932, taxes per resident rose 23.1% to $3,365.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Richmond 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))
Richmond ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Nashville | $8,119 |
| 13 | Baltimore | $8,099 |
| 14 | Boston | $7,538 |
| 15 | Richmond | $7,394 |
| 16 | Rochester | $7,173 |
| 17 | Springfield | $7,088 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $7,049 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Boston | $8,117 |
| 14 | Flint | $7,912 |
| 15 | Nashville | $7,883 |
| 16 | Richmond | $7,852 |
| 17 | Union City | $7,777 |
| 18 | Rochester | $7,772 |
| 19 | East Orange | $7,656 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Quincy | $2,931 |
| 25 | Philadelphia | $2,884 |
| 26 | Seattle | $2,766 |
| 27 | Richmond | $2,735 |
| 28 | Bristol | $2,734 |
| 29 | Danbury | $2,711 |
| 30 | Nashua | $2,687 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 78 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | Glendale | $512 |
| 76 | Concord | $511 |
| 77 | Murray | $509 |
| 78 | Richmond | $508 |
| 79 | Providence | $506 |
| 80 | San Jose | $504 |
| 81 | Dearborn | $501 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 31 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Portland | $7,860 |
| 29 | Redondo Beach | $7,855 |
| 30 | Carmel | $7,823 |
| 31 | Richmond | $7,717 |
| 32 | Birmingham | $7,692 |
| 33 | Norfolk | $7,596 |
| 34 | Urban Honolulu | $7,572 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Macon-Bibb County | 71.3% |
| 168 | Boynton Beach | 71.3% |
| 169 | Mount Prospect | 71.2% |
| 170 | Richmond | 71.0% |
| 171 | Palatine | 70.9% |
| 172 | Chesapeake | 70.7% |
| 173 | West Palm Beach | 70.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Richmond ranks 94 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 91 | Washington | 36.8% |
| 92 | Southaven | 36.2% |
| 93 | Columbus | 36.0% |
| 94 | Richmond | 35.8% |
| 95 | Battle Creek | 35.8% |
| 96 | Chesapeake | 35.4% |
| 97 | La Crosse | 34.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond 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 government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Palo Alto | $10,984 |
| 10 | Santa Monica | $10,109 |
| 11 | Boston | $9,533 |
| 12 | Richmond | $8,799 |
| 13 | Chattanooga | $8,776 |
| 14 | Baltimore | $8,670 |
| 15 | Denver | $8,494 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 14 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Flint | $10,519 |
| 12 | Boston | $10,128 |
| 13 | Baltimore | $10,055 |
| 14 | Richmond | $9,932 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $9,767 |
| 16 | Nashville | $9,448 |
| 17 | Kissimmee | $9,002 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Mountain View | $3,609 |
| 14 | Somerville | $3,476 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | $3,371 |
| 16 | Richmond | $3,365 |
| 17 | Philadelphia | $3,338 |
| 18 | Denver | $3,331 |
| 19 | Seattle | $3,314 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | New York | $791 |
| 24 | Queen Creek | $779 |
| 25 | White Plains | $778 |
| 26 | Richmond | $776 |
| 27 | Berwyn | $770 |
| 28 | Berkeley | $769 |
| 29 | Evanston | $766 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Tacoma | $9,286 |
| 24 | Anaheim | $9,027 |
| 25 | Queen Creek | $8,644 |
| 26 | Richmond | $8,569 |
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $8,476 |
| 28 | Carmel | $8,425 |
| 29 | Cleveland | $8,273 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 152 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 149 | Hollywood | 74.2% |
| 150 | Athens | 73.2% |
| 151 | Palm Coast | 73.2% |
| 152 | Richmond | 73.1% |
| 153 | Rowlett | 73.0% |
| 154 | Salem | 73.0% |
| 155 | Eugene | 72.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Richmond ranks 97 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 94 | Lynchburg | 35.4% |
| 95 | Duluth | 35.2% |
| 96 | Aurora | 35.1% |
| 97 | Richmond | 35.1% |
| 98 | Harrisonburg | 34.9% |
| 99 | Memphis | 34.8% |
| 100 | Peoria | 34.8% |
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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.