Government budget and revenue in Sarasota, Florida: official figures
Sarasota's city government took in $248.22 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $4,326 for each of its 57,376 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 139th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Sarasota spend and on what?
It spent $250.80 million in the same year, $4,371 per resident, the 136th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were financial administration (25.5%), police (18.7%) and parks and recreation (14.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Sarasota collect per resident?
Taxes raised $99.72 million ($1,738 per resident, the 107th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 44.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Sarasota rely on?
Of Sarasota's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 46.0%, general sales tax 19.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 18.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Sarasota's property tax share is the 224th 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 Sarasota get?
Payments from other governments made up 14.2% of Sarasota's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 4.2% from the federal government ($164 per resident), 7.8% from the state and 2.2% 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 Sarasota raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $70.46 million, 31.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $25.52 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sarasota spend on police?
Sarasota's city government spent $46.97 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $819 per resident (the 19th highest of 582) and 18.7% 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 debt does Sarasota have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Sarasota's city government owed $184.89 million in long-term debt, $3,222 per resident (the 181st highest of 582). During the year it issued $48.36 million of new long-term debt and repaid $6.46 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sarasota pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.82 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 1.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Sarasota city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 28.6% from $3,365 to $4,326, spending per resident rose 22.4% to $4,371, taxes per resident rose 16.4% to $1,738.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Sarasota 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))
Sarasota ranks 192 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Concord | $3,393 |
| 190 | Schaumburg | $3,374 |
| 191 | Redlands | $3,372 |
| 192 | Sarasota | $3,365 |
| 193 | Dubuque | $3,361 |
| 194 | Cincinnati | $3,339 |
| 195 | High Point | $3,317 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 169 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 166 | Glendale | $3,572 |
| 167 | Lancaster | $3,572 |
| 168 | Mishawaka | $3,571 |
| 169 | Sarasota | $3,571 |
| 170 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $3,556 |
| 171 | Enid | $3,548 |
| 172 | Vineland | $3,538 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 142 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 139 | Lenexa | $1,506 |
| 140 | Logan | $1,504 |
| 141 | Herriman | $1,494 |
| 142 | Sarasota | $1,494 |
| 143 | Columbus | $1,492 |
| 144 | Milpitas | $1,489 |
| 145 | Fall River | $1,476 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Fort Myers | $640 |
| 28 | Boston | $639 |
| 29 | Ontario | $638 |
| 30 | Sarasota | $634 |
| 31 | Mountain View | $621 |
| 32 | Chicago | $619 |
| 33 | Torrance | $605 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 341 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 338 | Greenville | $2,138 |
| 339 | Rowlett | $2,132 |
| 340 | West Allis | $2,121 |
| 341 | Sarasota | $2,113 |
| 342 | Wilmington | $2,100 |
| 343 | Spokane | $2,077 |
| 344 | Palatine | $2,075 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 398 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 395 | Simi Valley | 46.0% |
| 396 | Largo | 45.9% |
| 397 | Arlington | 45.6% |
| 398 | Sarasota | 45.5% |
| 399 | Scranton | 45.5% |
| 400 | West Valley City | 45.5% |
| 401 | Santee | 45.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sarasota ranks 501 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 498 | Reading | 12.9% |
| 499 | Palm Bay | 12.9% |
| 500 | Bothell | 12.8% |
| 501 | Sarasota | 12.8% |
| 502 | Montgomery | 12.7% |
| 503 | Santa Clara | 12.7% |
| 504 | Amarillo | 12.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 139 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 136 | Mishawaka | $4,363 |
| 137 | Carson City | $4,329 |
| 138 | Grapevine | $4,327 |
| 139 | Sarasota | $4,326 |
| 140 | Bayonne | $4,318 |
| 141 | Rock Hill | $4,311 |
| 142 | Springfield | $4,281 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 136 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 133 | Newport Beach | $4,409 |
| 134 | Cleveland | $4,385 |
| 135 | Edmond | $4,379 |
| 136 | Sarasota | $4,371 |
| 137 | West Haven | $4,362 |
| 138 | North Little Rock | $4,348 |
| 139 | Haverhill | $4,347 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 107 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 104 | Los Angeles | $1,742 |
| 105 | Westminster | $1,740 |
| 106 | Lexington | $1,739 |
| 107 | Sarasota | $1,738 |
| 108 | Palm Beach Gardens | $1,735 |
| 109 | Lenexa | $1,730 |
| 110 | Jacksonville | $1,729 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 19 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Chicago | $840 |
| 17 | Inglewood | $839 |
| 18 | Pasadena | $831 |
| 19 | Sarasota | $819 |
| 20 | Ocala | $815 |
| 21 | Oakland | $807 |
| 22 | Ontario | $799 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 181 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 178 | St. Petersburg | $3,253 |
| 179 | Muncie | $3,240 |
| 180 | Ames | $3,238 |
| 181 | Sarasota | $3,222 |
| 182 | Lafayette | $3,214 |
| 183 | Scottsdale | $3,190 |
| 184 | Santa Clara | $3,169 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 357 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 354 | Bismarck | 46.4% |
| 355 | New Orleans | 46.3% |
| 356 | San Jose | 46.0% |
| 357 | Sarasota | 46.0% |
| 358 | Alameda | 46.0% |
| 359 | Redwood City | 45.9% |
| 360 | Santee | 45.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sarasota ranks 364 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 361 | St. Charles | 14.3% |
| 362 | Eagan | 14.3% |
| 363 | Portland | 14.2% |
| 364 | Sarasota | 14.2% |
| 365 | Boynton Beach | 14.1% |
| 366 | Tampa | 14.0% |
| 367 | Spokane | 14.0% |
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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.