Government budget and revenue in San Marcos, California: official figures
San Marcos' city government took in $166.20 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, or $1,705 for each of its 97,477 residents (2022 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 153rd lowest of 731 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2022 Census of Governments.
How much does San Marcos spend and on what?
It spent $139.66 million in the same year, $1,433 per resident, the 111th lowest of 731 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2022 Census of Governments. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (23.5%), central administration (19.2%) and police (16.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does San Marcos collect per resident?
Taxes raised $58.08 million ($596 per resident, the 76th lowest of 731) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, 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 San Marcos rely on?
Of San Marcos' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, property tax made up 42.9%, general sales tax 39.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; San Marcos' property tax share is the 312th lowest of 730 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2022 Census of Governments.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does San Marcos get?
Payments from other governments made up 27.4% of San Marcos' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022: 19.2% from the federal government ($327 per resident), 3.1% from the state and 5.2% 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 San Marcos raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $39.19 million, 23.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Marcos spend on police?
San Marcos' city government spent $22.64 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, $232 per resident (the 154th lowest of 731) and 16.2% 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 San Marcos spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $16.11 million, $165 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does San Marcos have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, San Marcos' city government owed $53.39 million in long-term debt, $548 per resident (the 95th lowest of 731).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Marcos pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.59 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, 1.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the latest budget data for San Marcos?
San Marcos is not in the Census Bureau's 2024 sample of local governments, so its latest full figures are from the 2022 Census of Governments, which covers every government.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow San Marcos 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))
San Marcos ranks 579 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 576 | Plymouth | $1,710 |
| 577 | Carrollton | $1,710 |
| 578 | Whittier | $1,705 |
| 579 | San Marcos | $1,705 |
| 580 | Coconut Creek | $1,703 |
| 581 | Coral Springs | $1,701 |
| 582 | Arvada | $1,701 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 621 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 618 | San Ramon | $1,451 |
| 619 | Beaumont | $1,441 |
| 620 | Leander | $1,437 |
| 621 | San Marcos | $1,433 |
| 622 | Alhambra | $1,423 |
| 623 | San Angelo | $1,418 |
| 624 | Rio Rancho | $1,416 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 656 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 653 | Palm Bay | $598 |
| 654 | Madera | $598 |
| 655 | Sparks | $597 |
| 656 | San Marcos | $596 |
| 657 | Coon Rapids | $594 |
| 658 | San Ramon | $594 |
| 659 | Goose Creek | $594 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 578 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | Kingsport | $233 |
| 576 | Wylie | $232 |
| 577 | Peabody | $232 |
| 578 | San Marcos | $232 |
| 579 | Citrus Heights | $232 |
| 580 | Marysville | $231 |
| 581 | Medford | $231 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 637 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 634 | Plainfield | $574 |
| 635 | Palm Beach Gardens | $559 |
| 636 | Draper | $548 |
| 637 | San Marcos | $548 |
| 638 | Elgin | $548 |
| 639 | Upland | $547 |
| 640 | Hialeah | $546 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 419 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 416 | Carlsbad | 43.4% |
| 417 | Los Angeles | 43.2% |
| 418 | Columbia | 43.0% |
| 419 | San Marcos | 42.9% |
| 420 | Lawrence | 42.8% |
| 421 | Cheyenne | 42.7% |
| 422 | New York | 42.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Marcos ranks 190 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 187 | New York | 27.4% |
| 188 | Tucson | 27.4% |
| 189 | Wheaton | 27.4% |
| 190 | San Marcos | 27.4% |
| 191 | Green Bay | 27.4% |
| 192 | West Allis | 27.3% |
| 193 | Bonita Springs | 27.3% |
More on San Marcos: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
Sources
- 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…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 State and Local Government Finances: survey methodology (sample design; survey year covers fiscal years ended 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6a8d82a94335…)
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