Government budget and revenue in Scottsdale, Arizona: official figures
Scottsdale's city government took in $994.72 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $4,093 for each of its 243,050 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 153rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Scottsdale spend and on what?
It spent $915.86 million in the same year, $3,768 per resident, the 170th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (23.5%), the water utility (13.5%) and parks and recreation (10.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Scottsdale collect per resident?
Taxes raised $453.64 million ($1,866 per resident, the 88th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 52.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Scottsdale rely on?
Of Scottsdale's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 16.6%, general sales tax 67.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Scottsdale's property tax share is the 47th 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 Scottsdale get?
Payments from other governments made up 21.4% of Scottsdale's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 1.4% from the federal government ($50 per resident), 16.7% from the state and 3.3% 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 Scottsdale raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $156.05 million, 18.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $135.52 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Scottsdale spend on police?
Scottsdale's city government spent $215.13 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $885 per resident (the 11th highest of 582) and 23.5% 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 Scottsdale spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $92.29 million, $380 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Scottsdale have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Scottsdale's city government owed $775.34 million in long-term debt, $3,190 per resident (the 183rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $15.81 million of new long-term debt and repaid $111.51 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Scottsdale pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $25.25 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Scottsdale city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 26.1% from $3,245 to $4,093, spending per resident rose 42.9% to $3,768, taxes per resident rose 15.0% to $1,866.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Scottsdale 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))
Scottsdale ranks 200 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 197 | Bowling Green | $3,274 |
| 198 | Torrance | $3,256 |
| 199 | Riverside | $3,250 |
| 200 | Scottsdale | $3,245 |
| 201 | Garland | $3,233 |
| 202 | Sunrise | $3,220 |
| 203 | Inglewood | $3,214 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 271 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 268 | Columbus | $2,644 |
| 269 | San Rafael | $2,638 |
| 270 | Tulsa | $2,638 |
| 271 | Scottsdale | $2,637 |
| 272 | Edina | $2,620 |
| 273 | San Clemente | $2,619 |
| 274 | Flagstaff | $2,618 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 113 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 110 | Torrance | $1,664 |
| 111 | Decatur | $1,651 |
| 112 | Palm Beach Gardens | $1,629 |
| 113 | Scottsdale | $1,623 |
| 114 | New Bedford | $1,622 |
| 115 | Elizabeth | $1,619 |
| 116 | Pittsburgh | $1,614 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Union City | $496 |
| 85 | Watsonville | $494 |
| 86 | Huntington Beach | $493 |
| 87 | Scottsdale | $491 |
| 88 | Anaheim | $489 |
| 89 | Rochester | $488 |
| 90 | Baytown | $488 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 184 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 181 | Sioux City | $3,433 |
| 182 | College Station | $3,413 |
| 183 | Mesa | $3,404 |
| 184 | Scottsdale | $3,380 |
| 185 | Chula Vista | $3,368 |
| 186 | Fayetteville | $3,356 |
| 187 | Des Plaines | $3,340 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 672 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 669 | Broken Arrow | 17.5% |
| 670 | Phoenix | 17.4% |
| 671 | Huntsville | 17.4% |
| 672 | Scottsdale | 17.1% |
| 673 | Lake Elsinore | 17.0% |
| 674 | Decatur | 17.0% |
| 675 | Temecula | 16.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scottsdale ranks 303 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Nashville | 20.5% |
| 301 | Fort Collins | 20.4% |
| 302 | Sioux City | 20.4% |
| 303 | Scottsdale | 20.3% |
| 304 | Troy | 20.3% |
| 305 | Logan | 20.2% |
| 306 | Oceanside | 20.2% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 153 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | Cedar Rapids | $4,144 |
| 151 | Boca Raton | $4,131 |
| 152 | Richland | $4,127 |
| 153 | Scottsdale | $4,093 |
| 154 | Clearwater | $4,070 |
| 155 | White Plains | $4,061 |
| 156 | Cincinnati | $4,041 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Waco | $3,787 |
| 168 | Temecula | $3,774 |
| 169 | Corona | $3,773 |
| 170 | Scottsdale | $3,768 |
| 171 | Bartlett | $3,760 |
| 172 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | $3,741 |
| 173 | Grapevine | $3,726 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 88 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | West Des Moines | $1,886 |
| 86 | Malden | $1,886 |
| 87 | Cincinnati | $1,871 |
| 88 | Scottsdale | $1,866 |
| 89 | Torrance | $1,864 |
| 90 | Olympia | $1,864 |
| 91 | Brockton | $1,846 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Fort Lauderdale | $928 |
| 9 | Vacaville | $915 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $888 |
| 11 | Scottsdale | $885 |
| 12 | Baltimore | $867 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $851 |
| 14 | Boston | $847 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale 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 long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | Ames | $3,238 |
| 181 | Sarasota | $3,222 |
| 182 | Lafayette | $3,214 |
| 183 | Scottsdale | $3,190 |
| 184 | Santa Clara | $3,169 |
| 185 | Sunnyvale | $3,129 |
| 186 | Sioux City | $3,117 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 534 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 531 | Bentonville | 17.2% |
| 532 | Phoenix | 17.1% |
| 533 | Kansas City | 16.9% |
| 534 | Scottsdale | 16.6% |
| 535 | Bossier City | 16.3% |
| 536 | Chandler | 16.3% |
| 537 | Lorain | 16.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scottsdale ranks 249 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 246 | Concord | 21.6% |
| 247 | Minneapolis | 21.5% |
| 248 | Missoula | 21.4% |
| 249 | Scottsdale | 21.4% |
| 250 | Hoffman Estates | 21.3% |
| 251 | Iowa City | 21.2% |
| 252 | Atlanta | 21.1% |
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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.