Government budget and revenue in San Rafael, California: official figures
San Rafael's city government took in $156.66 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, or $2,677 for each of its 58,528 residents (2022 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 294th highest of 731 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2022 Census of Governments.
How much does San Rafael spend and on what?
It spent $154.41 million in the same year, $2,638 per resident, the 269th highest 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 (29.7%), police (20.3%) and fire protection (14.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does San Rafael collect per resident?
Taxes raised $92.67 million ($1,583 per resident, the 122nd highest of 731) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, 59.2% 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 Rafael rely on?
Of San Rafael's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, property tax made up 26.6%, general sales tax 54.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 7.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; San Rafael's property tax share is the 138th 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 Rafael get?
Payments from other governments made up 17.8% of San Rafael's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022: 10.4% from the federal government ($277 per resident), 6.7% from the state and 0.8% 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 Rafael raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $30.82 million, 19.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Rafael spend on police?
San Rafael's city government spent $31.40 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, $536 per resident (the 62nd highest of 731) and 20.3% 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 San Rafael spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $22.83 million, $390 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does San Rafael have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, San Rafael's city government owed $107.64 million in long-term debt, $1,839 per resident (the 348th lowest of 731). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $10.42 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does San Rafael pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.46 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2022, 1.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat is the latest budget data for San Rafael?
San Rafael 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 Rafael 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 Rafael ranks 294 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 291 | Montebello | $2,687 |
| 292 | Folsom | $2,681 |
| 293 | Mobile | $2,680 |
| 294 | San Rafael | $2,677 |
| 295 | Renton | $2,673 |
| 296 | Bellingham | $2,666 |
| 297 | Grand Rapids | $2,660 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Rafael ranks 269 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 266 | Dubuque | $2,683 |
| 267 | Conroe | $2,679 |
| 268 | Columbus | $2,644 |
| 269 | San Rafael | $2,638 |
| 270 | Tulsa | $2,638 |
| 271 | Scottsdale | $2,637 |
| 272 | Edina | $2,620 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Rafael ranks 122 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 119 | Carlsbad | $1,594 |
| 120 | Salt Lake City | $1,592 |
| 121 | Pleasanton | $1,587 |
| 122 | San Rafael | $1,583 |
| 123 | West Des Moines | $1,568 |
| 124 | San Jose | $1,553 |
| 125 | Richardson | $1,553 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Rafael ranks 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Jacksonville | $545 |
| 60 | Evanston | $543 |
| 61 | Yonkers | $541 |
| 62 | San Rafael | $536 |
| 63 | Santa Barbara | $535 |
| 64 | Milpitas | $534 |
| 65 | Birmingham | $528 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Rafael ranks 384 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 381 | Whittier | $1,859 |
| 382 | Montgomery | $1,849 |
| 383 | Arlington Heights | $1,847 |
| 384 | San Rafael | $1,839 |
| 385 | Temecula | $1,829 |
| 386 | Billings | $1,829 |
| 387 | Santa Rosa | $1,825 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
San Rafael ranks 593 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 590 | Citrus Heights | 26.8% |
| 591 | Petaluma | 26.8% |
| 592 | Marysville | 26.7% |
| 593 | San Rafael | 26.6% |
| 594 | Celina | 26.2% |
| 595 | Santa Cruz | 26.1% |
| 596 | South Gate | 25.5% |
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 Rafael ranks 354 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 351 | La Habra | 18.2% |
| 352 | Ankeny | 18.2% |
| 353 | Paramount | 18.2% |
| 354 | San Rafael | 17.8% |
| 355 | Santa Cruz | 17.8% |
| 356 | Santa Rosa | 17.8% |
| 357 | Joplin | 17.7% |
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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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