Government budget and revenue in Savannah, Georgia: official figures
Savannah's city government took in $653.35 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $4,414 for each of its 148,004 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 130th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Savannah spend and on what?
It spent $535.00 million in the same year, $3,615 per resident, the 183rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (12.9%), police (12.7%) and airports (11.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Savannah collect per resident?
Taxes raised $191.53 million ($1,294 per resident, the 202nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 30.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Savannah rely on?
Of Savannah's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 51.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 38.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Savannah's property tax share is the 251st 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 Savannah get?
Payments from other governments made up 22.6% of Savannah's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 3.5% from the federal government ($149 per resident), 1.1% from the state and 18.0% 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 Savannah raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $199.15 million, 31.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $24.15 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Savannah spend on police?
Savannah's city government spent $68.02 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $460 per resident (the 156th highest of 582) and 12.7% 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 does Savannah spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $39.32 million, $266 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Savannah have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Savannah's city government owed $258.77 million in long-term debt, $1,748 per resident (the 228th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $2.56 million of new long-term debt and repaid $14.07 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Savannah pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $13.77 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Savannah city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 9.7% from $4,024 to $4,414, spending per resident fell 10.7% to $3,615, taxes per resident rose 16.5% to $1,294.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Savannah 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))
Savannah ranks 138 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 135 | Gallatin | $4,092 |
| 136 | Urban Honolulu | $4,055 |
| 137 | White Plains | $4,050 |
| 138 | Savannah | $4,024 |
| 139 | Richland | $4,021 |
| 140 | San Antonio | $4,008 |
| 141 | Marietta | $3,996 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 133 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 130 | Malden | $4,104 |
| 131 | Decatur | $4,098 |
| 132 | Orlando | $4,053 |
| 133 | Savannah | $4,046 |
| 134 | Bentonville | $4,031 |
| 135 | St. Louis | $3,995 |
| 136 | San Antonio | $3,973 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 275 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 272 | Fountain Valley | $1,118 |
| 273 | New Braunfels | $1,118 |
| 274 | Scranton | $1,113 |
| 275 | Savannah | $1,111 |
| 276 | Edmond | $1,111 |
| 277 | Little Rock | $1,110 |
| 278 | Glendale | $1,109 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 154 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | Tampa | $432 |
| 152 | Pleasanton | $432 |
| 153 | St. Clair Shores | $431 |
| 154 | Savannah | $430 |
| 155 | Brentwood | $430 |
| 156 | St. Petersburg | $429 |
| 157 | Newport News | $429 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 366 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 363 | Fresno | $1,943 |
| 364 | Boulder | $1,940 |
| 365 | Redwood City | $1,931 |
| 366 | Savannah | $1,931 |
| 367 | Ocala | $1,928 |
| 368 | Murray | $1,928 |
| 369 | Rio Rancho | $1,923 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 333 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 330 | Draper | 54.4% |
| 331 | Redwood City | 54.4% |
| 332 | Fishers | 54.4% |
| 333 | Savannah | 54.3% |
| 334 | Texas City | 54.2% |
| 335 | Medford | 54.1% |
| 336 | Carson City | 53.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Savannah ranks 166 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | Lorain | 28.9% |
| 164 | Prescott Valley | 28.9% |
| 165 | Fort Smith | 28.8% |
| 166 | Savannah | 28.7% |
| 167 | Waterloo | 28.7% |
| 168 | Rogers | 28.5% |
| 169 | Smyrna | 28.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 130 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 127 | Weymouth Town | $4,458 |
| 128 | Bentonville | $4,435 |
| 129 | Portland | $4,429 |
| 130 | Savannah | $4,414 |
| 131 | Dallas | $4,400 |
| 132 | New Braunfels | $4,381 |
| 133 | Redwood City | $4,376 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah 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 government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | Flagstaff | $3,638 |
| 181 | Santa Ana | $3,629 |
| 182 | Cincinnati | $3,620 |
| 183 | Savannah | $3,615 |
| 184 | High Point | $3,607 |
| 185 | Columbia | $3,595 |
| 186 | Evanston | $3,571 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 202 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Des Moines | $1,298 |
| 200 | Bloomington | $1,297 |
| 201 | McKinney | $1,295 |
| 202 | Savannah | $1,294 |
| 203 | Sherman | $1,291 |
| 204 | Fremont | $1,278 |
| 205 | Amarillo | $1,277 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 156 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | New Orleans | $472 |
| 154 | Everett | $468 |
| 155 | Fresno | $464 |
| 156 | Savannah | $460 |
| 157 | Orange | $459 |
| 158 | Rockford | $459 |
| 159 | Oak Park | $458 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 355 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 352 | Bellevue | $1,779 |
| 353 | Daytona Beach | $1,772 |
| 354 | Reno | $1,754 |
| 355 | Savannah | $1,748 |
| 356 | Grand Island | $1,737 |
| 357 | Tinley Park | $1,732 |
| 358 | Oak Lawn | $1,730 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 330 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 327 | Nashville | 51.5% |
| 328 | Corpus Christi | 51.4% |
| 329 | Portland | 51.3% |
| 330 | Savannah | 51.3% |
| 331 | Wichita | 50.9% |
| 332 | Pontiac | 50.8% |
| 333 | Summerville | 50.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Savannah ranks 230 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | Royal Oak | 22.7% |
| 228 | Vallejo | 22.6% |
| 229 | Vineland | 22.6% |
| 230 | Savannah | 22.6% |
| 231 | Pittsburgh | 22.6% |
| 232 | Spokane Valley | 22.5% |
| 233 | Hialeah | 22.5% |
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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.