Government budget and revenue in Santa Maria, California: official figures
Santa Maria's city government took in $283.53 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,575 for each of its 110,125 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 237th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Santa Maria spend and on what?
It spent $238.94 million in the same year, $2,170 per resident, the 167th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (20.2%), solid waste (14.3%) and the water utility (13.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Santa Maria collect per resident?
Taxes raised $110.22 million ($1,001 per resident, the 245th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 46.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Santa Maria rely on?
Of Santa Maria's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 24.4%, general sales tax 62.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 8.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Santa Maria's property tax share is the 90th 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 Santa Maria get?
Payments from other governments made up 11.1% of Santa Maria's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 6.8% from the federal government ($146 per resident), 3.0% from the state and 1.3% 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 Santa Maria raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $63.84 million, 27.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $47.09 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Santa Maria spend on police?
Santa Maria's city government spent $48.27 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $438 per resident (the 183rd highest of 582) and 20.2% 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 Santa Maria spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $22.44 million, $204 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Santa Maria have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Santa Maria's city government owed $59.97 million in long-term debt, $545 per resident (the 64th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $6.20 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Santa Maria pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.23 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Santa Maria city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 7.4% from $2,397 to $2,575, spending per resident rose 13.9% to $2,170, taxes per resident fell 3.3% to $1,001.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Santa Maria 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))
Santa Maria ranks 357 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 354 | Rapid City | $2,404 |
| 355 | Hammond | $2,402 |
| 356 | College Station | $2,399 |
| 357 | Santa Maria | $2,397 |
| 358 | Oak Park | $2,396 |
| 359 | Smyrna | $2,393 |
| 360 | Iowa City | $2,384 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 451 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 448 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $1,923 |
| 449 | St. Charles | $1,916 |
| 450 | Orange | $1,915 |
| 451 | Santa Maria | $1,906 |
| 452 | Harlingen | $1,904 |
| 453 | Frederick | $1,901 |
| 454 | St. Cloud | $1,897 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 317 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 314 | Concord | $1,037 |
| 315 | Durham | $1,036 |
| 316 | Santa Rosa | $1,035 |
| 317 | Santa Maria | $1,035 |
| 318 | Concord | $1,034 |
| 319 | Wilmington | $1,034 |
| 320 | Tampa | $1,031 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 263 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 260 | Bismarck | $364 |
| 261 | Taunton | $363 |
| 262 | Arlington Heights | $363 |
| 263 | Santa Maria | $362 |
| 264 | Hillsboro | $361 |
| 265 | Indio | $361 |
| 266 | Everett | $360 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 618 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 615 | Springfield | $677 |
| 616 | North Port | $657 |
| 617 | Huntersville | $657 |
| 618 | Santa Maria | $656 |
| 619 | Napa | $639 |
| 620 | Rockford | $632 |
| 621 | Millcreek | $628 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 638 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 635 | Bellingham | 22.1% |
| 636 | Aurora | 22.1% |
| 637 | Owensboro | 21.6% |
| 638 | Santa Maria | 21.5% |
| 639 | San Leandro | 21.4% |
| 640 | O'Fallon | 21.1% |
| 641 | Turlock | 21.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Santa Maria ranks 291 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 288 | Redding | 20.7% |
| 289 | Draper | 20.7% |
| 290 | El Paso | 20.6% |
| 291 | Santa Maria | 20.6% |
| 292 | Westminster | 20.6% |
| 293 | Kannapolis | 20.6% |
| 294 | Miami | 20.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 346 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 343 | Temecula | $2,587 |
| 344 | Amarillo | $2,586 |
| 345 | Fayetteville | $2,583 |
| 346 | Santa Maria | $2,575 |
| 347 | Murfreesboro | $2,572 |
| 348 | Homestead | $2,561 |
| 349 | Fairfield | $2,554 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 416 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 413 | Iowa City | $2,173 |
| 414 | Eau Claire | $2,172 |
| 415 | Visalia | $2,171 |
| 416 | Santa Maria | $2,170 |
| 417 | Missoula | $2,165 |
| 418 | Olathe | $2,163 |
| 419 | Thousand Oaks | $2,150 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 338 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 335 | North Richland Hills | $1,004 |
| 336 | Enid | $1,003 |
| 337 | Margate | $1,002 |
| 338 | Santa Maria | $1,001 |
| 339 | Bismarck | $999 |
| 340 | Visalia | $999 |
| 341 | St. Petersburg | $999 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 183 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | Lebanon | $441 |
| 181 | Lynchburg | $440 |
| 182 | Baytown | $439 |
| 183 | Santa Maria | $438 |
| 184 | Henderson | $436 |
| 185 | Riverside | $436 |
| 186 | Schaumburg | $436 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 519 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 516 | Apple Valley | $559 |
| 517 | Naperville | $550 |
| 518 | Woodbury | $548 |
| 519 | Santa Maria | $545 |
| 520 | Baytown | $542 |
| 521 | Eagan | $539 |
| 522 | West New York | $534 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 491 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 24.8% |
| 489 | St. Charles | 24.7% |
| 490 | Torrance | 24.4% |
| 491 | Santa Maria | 24.4% |
| 492 | San Leandro | 24.1% |
| 493 | Turlock | 24.1% |
| 494 | Longmont | 24.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Santa Maria ranks 439 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 436 | Urban Honolulu | 11.1% |
| 437 | Woodbury | 11.1% |
| 438 | Frederick | 11.1% |
| 439 | Santa Maria | 11.1% |
| 440 | Fort Lauderdale | 11.0% |
| 441 | Palm Bay | 10.9% |
| 442 | Jeffersonville | 10.9% |
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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.