Government budget and revenue in Schenectady, New York: official figures
Schenectady's city government took in $146.90 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,135 for each of its 68,809 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 133rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Schenectady spend and on what?
It spent $157.58 million in the same year, $2,290 per resident, the 205th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.2%), fire protection (8.4%) and sewerage (7.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Schenectady collect per resident?
Taxes raised $34.80 million ($506 per resident, the 17th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 25.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Schenectady rely on?
Of Schenectady's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 87.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Schenectady's property tax share is the 114th highest 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 Schenectady get?
Payments from other governments made up 49.1% of Schenectady's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 20.8% from the federal government ($417 per resident), 14.8% from the state and 13.5% 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 Schenectady raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $25.81 million, 18.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $8.99 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Schenectady spend on police?
Schenectady's city government spent $25.59 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $372 per resident (the 264th highest of 582) 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 Schenectady spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $13.20 million, $192 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Schenectady have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Schenectady's city government owed $142.97 million in long-term debt, $2,078 per resident (the 275th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $34.61 million of new long-term debt and repaid none.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Schenectady pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $9.22 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 5.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Schenectady city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 12.5% from $1,897 to $2,135, spending per resident rose 11.4% to $2,290, taxes per resident fell 10.2% to $506.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Schenectady 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))
Schenectady ranks 522 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 519 | Gilbert | $1,906 |
| 520 | Taylorsville | $1,902 |
| 521 | National City | $1,901 |
| 522 | Schenectady | $1,897 |
| 523 | Euless | $1,896 |
| 524 | Miramar | $1,890 |
| 525 | Las Vegas | $1,875 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 403 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 400 | Mesa | $2,060 |
| 401 | Passaic | $2,057 |
| 402 | Ogden | $2,055 |
| 403 | Schenectady | $2,055 |
| 404 | Lenexa | $2,051 |
| 405 | Irvine | $2,041 |
| 406 | Durham | $2,031 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 676 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 673 | Missoula | $568 |
| 674 | Rochester Hills | $566 |
| 675 | Jackson | $564 |
| 676 | Schenectady | $563 |
| 677 | Billings | $556 |
| 678 | Hesperia | $553 |
| 679 | Jacksonville | $553 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 347 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 344 | Davis | $324 |
| 345 | Spokane | $324 |
| 346 | New Brunswick | $323 |
| 347 | Schenectady | $323 |
| 348 | Folsom | $323 |
| 349 | Temecula | $323 |
| 350 | West New York | $322 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 491 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 488 | Cranston | $1,301 |
| 489 | Smyrna | $1,288 |
| 490 | Apopka | $1,279 |
| 491 | Schenectady | $1,277 |
| 492 | Vallejo | $1,275 |
| 493 | Maple Grove | $1,273 |
| 494 | Southaven | $1,271 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 120 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Ankeny | 88.6% |
| 118 | Apple Valley | 88.2% |
| 119 | Maple Grove | 87.9% |
| 120 | Schenectady | 87.8% |
| 121 | Lakeville | 87.2% |
| 122 | Plymouth | 86.5% |
| 123 | Billings | 85.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Schenectady ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Manchester | 40.8% |
| 64 | Pensacola | 40.5% |
| 65 | Athens | 39.9% |
| 66 | Schenectady | 39.9% |
| 67 | Hampton | 39.6% |
| 68 | Peoria | 39.5% |
| 69 | Utica | 39.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 450 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 447 | Midwest City | $2,143 |
| 448 | Coconut Creek | $2,138 |
| 449 | Rancho Cucamonga | $2,138 |
| 450 | Schenectady | $2,135 |
| 451 | Hoover | $2,126 |
| 452 | Smyrna | $2,124 |
| 453 | Miramar | $2,123 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 378 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 375 | Oshkosh | $2,312 |
| 376 | Aurora | $2,300 |
| 377 | Utica | $2,300 |
| 378 | Schenectady | $2,290 |
| 379 | Farmington Hills | $2,283 |
| 380 | West Des Moines | $2,282 |
| 381 | Irving | $2,281 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 566 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 563 | Camden | $516 |
| 564 | Kentwood | $507 |
| 565 | Clarksville | $506 |
| 566 | Schenectady | $506 |
| 567 | Syracuse | $502 |
| 568 | Palm Coast | $494 |
| 569 | Kalamazoo | $487 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 264 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 261 | Greensboro | $373 |
| 262 | Methuen | $373 |
| 263 | Westminster | $372 |
| 264 | Schenectady | $372 |
| 265 | Modesto | $372 |
| 266 | Manhattan | $372 |
| 267 | Duluth | $371 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 308 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 305 | Glendale | $2,085 |
| 306 | Holly Springs | $2,083 |
| 307 | Grand Junction | $2,083 |
| 308 | Schenectady | $2,078 |
| 309 | Olympia | $2,071 |
| 310 | Santa Barbara | $2,056 |
| 311 | Fort Smith | $2,055 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 114 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Syracuse | 88.3% |
| 112 | Maple Grove | 88.2% |
| 113 | Cambridge | 87.9% |
| 114 | Schenectady | 87.4% |
| 115 | La Crosse | 87.2% |
| 116 | Westfield | 86.4% |
| 117 | Rochester | 85.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Schenectady ranks 36 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Macon-Bibb County | 49.6% |
| 34 | Kenner | 49.6% |
| 35 | Worcester | 49.3% |
| 36 | Schenectady | 49.1% |
| 37 | Utica | 48.8% |
| 38 | New Haven | 48.7% |
| 39 | Rockford | 48.4% |
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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.