Government budget and revenue in Sacramento, California: official figures
Sacramento's city government took in $1.6 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,061 for each of its 528,001 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 255th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Sacramento spend and on what?
It spent $2.2 billion in the same year, $4,146 per resident, the 146th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (12.5%), fire protection (8.7%) and roads and highways (8.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Sacramento collect per resident?
Taxes raised $659.10 million ($1,248 per resident, the 218th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 44.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Sacramento rely on?
Of Sacramento's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 37.1%, general sales tax 40.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 12.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Sacramento's property tax share is the 172nd 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 Sacramento get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.7% of Sacramento's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 6.2% from the federal government ($175 per resident), 5.4% 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 Sacramento raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $433.82 million, 29.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $132.96 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sacramento spend on police?
Sacramento's city government spent $273.50 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $518 per resident (the 100th highest of 582) and 12.5% 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 Sacramento spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $190.98 million, $362 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Sacramento have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Sacramento's city government owed $1.8 billion in long-term debt, $3,444 per resident (the 167th highest of 582). During the year it issued $20.98 million of new long-term debt and repaid $163.97 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sacramento pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $60.06 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Sacramento city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 1.2% from $3,024 to $3,061, spending per resident rose 9.4% to $4,146, taxes per resident fell 0.3% to $1,248.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Sacramento 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))
Sacramento ranks 225 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 222 | Grapevine | $3,040 |
| 223 | Little Rock | $3,039 |
| 224 | Council Bluffs | $3,024 |
| 225 | Sacramento | $3,024 |
| 226 | Herriman | $3,018 |
| 227 | Asheville | $3,014 |
| 228 | Evanston | $3,011 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 146 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | Detroit | $3,853 |
| 144 | Methuen | $3,853 |
| 145 | Kingsport | $3,811 |
| 146 | Sacramento | $3,790 |
| 147 | Fort Pierce | $3,788 |
| 148 | White Plains | $3,778 |
| 149 | Rochester | $3,745 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 207 | North Charleston | $1,261 |
| 208 | Gardena | $1,256 |
| 209 | Glendale | $1,256 |
| 210 | Sacramento | $1,252 |
| 211 | Greeley | $1,247 |
| 212 | Tuscaloosa | $1,246 |
| 213 | Sunnyvale | $1,245 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 99 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | San Luis Obispo | $483 |
| 97 | Alexandria | $482 |
| 98 | Mesa | $481 |
| 99 | Sacramento | $479 |
| 100 | Chino | $478 |
| 101 | Oak Park | $478 |
| 102 | Sunnyvale | $475 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 137 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 134 | Oakland | $3,933 |
| 135 | San Diego | $3,927 |
| 136 | Bend | $3,884 |
| 137 | Sacramento | $3,881 |
| 138 | Hoffman Estates | $3,848 |
| 139 | Grand Forks | $3,845 |
| 140 | Vineland | $3,829 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 519 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 516 | Jurupa Valley | 33.4% |
| 517 | Menifee | 33.2% |
| 518 | Columbia | 33.1% |
| 519 | Sacramento | 33.0% |
| 520 | Eagle Mountain | 32.9% |
| 521 | Plainfield | 32.9% |
| 522 | Murrieta | 32.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sacramento ranks 326 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 323 | Pocatello | 19.3% |
| 324 | Mooresville | 19.3% |
| 325 | Ogden | 19.3% |
| 326 | Sacramento | 19.3% |
| 327 | Atlanta | 19.3% |
| 328 | Vallejo | 19.3% |
| 329 | Victorville | 19.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 255 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 252 | Victorville | $3,086 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $3,080 |
| 254 | Minneapolis | $3,077 |
| 255 | Sacramento | $3,061 |
| 256 | Redlands | $3,051 |
| 257 | Oxnard | $3,044 |
| 258 | Tucson | $3,025 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 146 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 143 | Dallas | $4,212 |
| 144 | White Plains | $4,164 |
| 145 | Orlando | $4,152 |
| 146 | Sacramento | $4,146 |
| 147 | Springfield | $4,134 |
| 148 | Portland | $4,074 |
| 149 | West Palm Beach | $4,062 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 218 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 215 | Charlotte | $1,254 |
| 216 | Waterloo | $1,251 |
| 217 | Oxnard | $1,250 |
| 218 | Sacramento | $1,248 |
| 219 | Burleson | $1,237 |
| 220 | Spokane | $1,234 |
| 221 | Pflugerville | $1,228 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 100 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Newark | $522 |
| 98 | Fall River | $522 |
| 99 | Carlsbad | $522 |
| 100 | Sacramento | $518 |
| 101 | Dallas | $517 |
| 102 | Tacoma | $516 |
| 103 | Commerce City | $514 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 167 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 164 | Clarksville | $3,469 |
| 165 | Cape Coral | $3,469 |
| 166 | Tampa | $3,448 |
| 167 | Sacramento | $3,444 |
| 168 | Gilbert | $3,417 |
| 169 | Lake Havasu City | $3,401 |
| 170 | Skokie | $3,361 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 409 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 406 | Midland | 37.6% |
| 407 | Burbank | 37.6% |
| 408 | Conroe | 37.4% |
| 409 | Sacramento | 37.1% |
| 410 | Shoreline | 37.1% |
| 411 | Moreno Valley | 36.7% |
| 412 | Redding | 36.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sacramento ranks 420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Bowling Green | 11.9% |
| 418 | Kennewick | 11.8% |
| 419 | Oxnard | 11.7% |
| 420 | Sacramento | 11.7% |
| 421 | Largo | 11.6% |
| 422 | Lenexa | 11.6% |
| 423 | Murrieta | 11.6% |
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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…)
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