Government budget and revenue in Riverside, California: official figures
Riverside's city government took in $1.2 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,718 for each of its 320,764 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 176th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Riverside spend and on what?
It spent $1.1 billion in the same year, $3,278 per resident, the 212th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the electric utility (35.4%), police (13.3%) and the water utility (7.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Riverside collect per resident?
Taxes raised $336.75 million ($1,050 per resident, the 279th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 49.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Riverside rely on?
Of Riverside's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 26.3%, general sales tax 54.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 14.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Riverside's property tax share is the 105th 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 Riverside get?
Payments from other governments made up 12.5% of Riverside's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.6% from the federal government ($118 per resident), 6.7% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Riverside raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $167.48 million, 24.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $511.64 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Riverside spend on police?
Riverside's city government spent $139.92 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $436 per resident (the 185th highest of 582) and 13.3% 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 Riverside spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $75.82 million, $236 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Riverside have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Riverside's city government owed $2.1 billion in long-term debt, $6,439 per resident (the 51st highest of 582). During the year it issued $271.96 million of new long-term debt and repaid $358.95 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Riverside pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $59.52 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Riverside city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 14.4% from $3,250 to $3,718, spending per resident rose 28.6% to $3,278, taxes per resident rose 7.2% to $1,050.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Riverside 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))
Riverside 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 revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 196 | San Jose | $3,284 |
| 197 | Bowling Green | $3,274 |
| 198 | Torrance | $3,256 |
| 199 | Riverside | $3,250 |
| 200 | Scottsdale | $3,245 |
| 201 | Garland | $3,233 |
| 202 | Sunrise | $3,220 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 282 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Winter Haven | $2,588 |
| 280 | Grand Rapids | $2,569 |
| 281 | Elizabeth | $2,568 |
| 282 | Riverside | $2,548 |
| 283 | Hawthorne | $2,547 |
| 284 | Homestead | $2,547 |
| 285 | Pittsburgh | $2,546 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 345 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 342 | San Clemente | $982 |
| 343 | National City | $980 |
| 344 | Sherman | $980 |
| 345 | Riverside | $979 |
| 346 | Bend | $979 |
| 347 | Alhambra | $979 |
| 348 | Boynton Beach | $978 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 287 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 284 | Albuquerque | $350 |
| 285 | Seattle | $350 |
| 286 | Deerfield Beach | $350 |
| 287 | Riverside | $349 |
| 288 | Columbus | $349 |
| 289 | North Charleston | $349 |
| 290 | Lake Havasu City | $347 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 57 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | New Braunfels | $6,368 |
| 55 | Brentwood | $6,325 |
| 56 | Lake Elsinore | $6,287 |
| 57 | Riverside | $6,207 |
| 58 | Roseville | $6,116 |
| 59 | Bridgeport | $6,099 |
| 60 | Lancaster | $6,038 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 623 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 620 | Pico Rivera | 23.4% |
| 621 | Rancho Cordova | 23.1% |
| 622 | Paramount | 23.0% |
| 623 | Riverside | 23.0% |
| 624 | Ontario | 22.9% |
| 625 | Indio | 22.8% |
| 626 | Fort Collins | 22.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Riverside ranks 491 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 | Bellingham | 13.3% |
| 489 | Wylie | 13.3% |
| 490 | Eden Prairie | 13.2% |
| 491 | Riverside | 13.1% |
| 492 | Napa | 13.1% |
| 493 | Midwest City | 13.1% |
| 494 | San Jose | 13.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 176 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | Elkhart | $3,739 |
| 174 | Garland | $3,735 |
| 175 | Sunrise | $3,719 |
| 176 | Riverside | $3,718 |
| 177 | Queen Creek | $3,718 |
| 178 | Bartlett | $3,707 |
| 179 | Rocky Mount | $3,703 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 212 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 209 | Concord | $3,332 |
| 210 | Daytona Beach | $3,296 |
| 211 | San Jose | $3,284 |
| 212 | Riverside | $3,278 |
| 213 | Asheville | $3,258 |
| 214 | Jonesboro | $3,242 |
| 215 | Waterloo | $3,228 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Deerfield Beach | $1,055 |
| 302 | Medford | $1,055 |
| 303 | El Paso | $1,054 |
| 304 | Riverside | $1,050 |
| 305 | New Braunfels | $1,047 |
| 306 | Athens | $1,043 |
| 307 | Ocala | $1,043 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 185 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 182 | Baytown | $439 |
| 183 | Santa Maria | $438 |
| 184 | Henderson | $436 |
| 185 | Riverside | $436 |
| 186 | Schaumburg | $436 |
| 187 | Taunton | $435 |
| 188 | Portland | $435 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 51 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Mishawaka | $6,552 |
| 49 | Ontario | $6,507 |
| 50 | Enid | $6,481 |
| 51 | Riverside | $6,439 |
| 52 | Akron | $6,373 |
| 53 | Santa Monica | $6,273 |
| 54 | Bryan | $6,213 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 476 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 473 | Amarillo | 26.7% |
| 474 | Santa Barbara | 26.5% |
| 475 | Greeley | 26.4% |
| 476 | Riverside | 26.3% |
| 477 | Auburn | 26.2% |
| 478 | Tacoma | 26.1% |
| 479 | Huntsville | 26.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Riverside ranks 403 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Coconut Creek | 12.6% |
| 401 | North Charleston | 12.6% |
| 402 | Longmont | 12.6% |
| 403 | Riverside | 12.5% |
| 404 | North Richland Hills | 12.5% |
| 405 | Richland | 12.4% |
| 406 | Canton | 12.4% |
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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.