Government budget and revenue in Rockford, Illinois: official figures
Rockford's city government took in $401.01 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,733 for each of its 146,713 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 270th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Rockford spend and on what?
It spent $367.84 million in the same year, $2,507 per resident, the 251st lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (18.3%), fire protection (16.8%) and central administration (15.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Rockford collect per resident?
Taxes raised $127.30 million ($868 per resident, the 164th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 34.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Rockford rely on?
Of Rockford's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 50.1%, general sales tax 6.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 34.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Rockford's property tax share is the 246th 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 Rockford get?
Payments from other governments made up 48.4% of Rockford's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 23.1% from the state and 25.3% 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 Rockford raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $52.96 million, 14.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $36.04 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rockford spend on police?
Rockford's city government spent $67.32 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $459 per resident (the 158th highest of 582) and 18.3% 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 Rockford spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $61.94 million, $422 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Rockford have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Rockford's city government owed $73.35 million in long-term debt, $500 per resident (the 60th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $9.32 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Rockford pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $6.28 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Rockford city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.1% from $2,375 to $2,733, spending per resident rose 16.8% to $2,507, taxes per resident rose 1.2% to $868.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Rockford 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))
Rockford ranks 362 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 359 | Smyrna | $2,393 |
| 360 | Iowa City | $2,384 |
| 361 | Bloomington | $2,379 |
| 362 | Rockford | $2,375 |
| 363 | Casper | $2,364 |
| 364 | Glendale | $2,361 |
| 365 | Mount Prospect | $2,352 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 378 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | Bellingham | $2,164 |
| 376 | Melbourne | $2,162 |
| 377 | Green Bay | $2,154 |
| 378 | Rockford | $2,146 |
| 379 | Albany | $2,133 |
| 380 | Carmel | $2,133 |
| 381 | College Station | $2,129 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Minnetonka | $862 |
| 456 | Victorville | $861 |
| 457 | West Allis | $860 |
| 458 | Rockford | $857 |
| 459 | Chino | $857 |
| 460 | Bowie | $856 |
| 461 | Margate | $855 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 133 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Des Plaines | $446 |
| 131 | Elizabeth | $446 |
| 132 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $445 |
| 133 | Rockford | $445 |
| 134 | San Diego | $442 |
| 135 | Dallas | $442 |
| 136 | Terre Haute | $442 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 620 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 617 | Huntersville | $657 |
| 618 | Santa Maria | $656 |
| 619 | Napa | $639 |
| 620 | Rockford | $632 |
| 621 | Millcreek | $628 |
| 622 | Wyoming | $619 |
| 623 | La Mesa | $614 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 365 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 362 | Albany | 51.4% |
| 363 | Miami Gardens | 51.4% |
| 364 | Port St. Lucie | 51.1% |
| 365 | Rockford | 50.7% |
| 366 | San Francisco | 50.6% |
| 367 | Victoria | 50.3% |
| 368 | Reno | 50.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Rockford ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Mount Prospect | 48.7% |
| 35 | Albany | 48.2% |
| 36 | Yonkers | 47.1% |
| 37 | Rockford | 46.3% |
| 38 | Newark | 46.1% |
| 39 | Haverhill | 46.0% |
| 40 | Everett | 45.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 313 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 310 | Parker | $2,756 |
| 311 | McKinney | $2,748 |
| 312 | Clarksville | $2,744 |
| 313 | Rockford | $2,733 |
| 314 | La Crosse | $2,730 |
| 315 | Pittsburgh | $2,729 |
| 316 | Auburn | $2,726 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 332 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Cape Coral | $2,515 |
| 330 | Hoffman Estates | $2,513 |
| 331 | Palm Beach Gardens | $2,510 |
| 332 | Rockford | $2,507 |
| 333 | Maricopa | $2,505 |
| 334 | El Paso | $2,498 |
| 335 | Middletown | $2,496 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 419 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 416 | Winter Haven | $870 |
| 417 | Broken Arrow | $870 |
| 418 | Allentown | $868 |
| 419 | Rockford | $868 |
| 420 | Tigard | $864 |
| 421 | Lake Elsinore | $863 |
| 422 | Oak Lawn | $863 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 158 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Fresno | $464 |
| 156 | Savannah | $460 |
| 157 | Orange | $459 |
| 158 | Rockford | $459 |
| 159 | Oak Park | $458 |
| 160 | Springfield | $458 |
| 161 | Battle Creek | $458 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 523 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 520 | Baytown | $542 |
| 521 | Eagan | $539 |
| 522 | West New York | $534 |
| 523 | Rockford | $500 |
| 524 | Canton | $499 |
| 525 | Margate | $497 |
| 526 | Camarillo | $492 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 335 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | Pontiac | 50.8% |
| 333 | Summerville | 50.5% |
| 334 | San Antonio | 50.2% |
| 335 | Rockford | 50.1% |
| 336 | Skokie | 49.9% |
| 337 | Fremont | 49.9% |
| 338 | Duluth | 49.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Rockford ranks 39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Schenectady | 49.1% |
| 37 | Utica | 48.8% |
| 38 | New Haven | 48.7% |
| 39 | Rockford | 48.4% |
| 40 | Troy | 48.1% |
| 41 | Bridgeport | 48.1% |
| 42 | Passaic | 47.5% |
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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.