Government budget and revenue in South Bend, Indiana: official figures
South Bend's city government took in $349.59 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,390 for each of its 103,110 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 211th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does South Bend spend and on what?
It spent $344.61 million in the same year, $3,342 per resident, the 208th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.8%), fire protection (11.2%) and parks and recreation (8.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does South Bend collect per resident?
Taxes raised $104.70 million ($1,015 per resident, the 261st lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 32.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does South Bend rely on?
Of South Bend's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 97.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 2.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; South Bend's property tax share is the 21st 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 South Bend get?
Payments from other governments made up 25.0% of South Bend's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 1.0% from the federal government ($32 per resident), 23.3% from the state and 0.7% 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 South Bend raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $118.71 million, 36.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $27.48 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does South Bend spend on police?
South Bend's city government spent $57.82 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $561 per resident (the 72nd highest of 582) and 16.8% 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 South Bend spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $38.70 million, $375 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does South Bend have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, South Bend's city government owed $229.73 million in long-term debt, $2,228 per resident (the 289th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $650,000 of new long-term debt and repaid $650,000.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does South Bend pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $7.21 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the South Bend city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.0% from $2,922 to $3,390, spending per resident rose 22.9% to $3,342, taxes per resident rose 10.4% to $1,015.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow South Bend 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))
South Bend ranks 247 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 244 | Baytown | $2,933 |
| 245 | Grand Junction | $2,926 |
| 246 | Carson City | $2,923 |
| 247 | South Bend | $2,922 |
| 248 | Lexington | $2,918 |
| 249 | Murray | $2,917 |
| 250 | Newark | $2,901 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 257 | Hammond | $2,753 |
| 258 | Redmond | $2,748 |
| 259 | Jonesboro | $2,746 |
| 260 | South Bend | $2,719 |
| 261 | Naperville | $2,715 |
| 262 | Carlsbad | $2,702 |
| 263 | Lodi | $2,691 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 406 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 403 | Garden Grove | $923 |
| 404 | Salem | $923 |
| 405 | El Paso | $921 |
| 406 | South Bend | $920 |
| 407 | Greensboro | $920 |
| 408 | Little Elm | $919 |
| 409 | Fort Wayne | $919 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Orange | $526 |
| 68 | Tucson | $522 |
| 69 | Pompano Beach | $522 |
| 70 | South Bend | $521 |
| 71 | Hayward | $521 |
| 72 | Sunrise | $516 |
| 73 | Anchorage | $515 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 345 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 342 | Wilmington | $2,100 |
| 343 | Spokane | $2,077 |
| 344 | Palatine | $2,075 |
| 345 | South Bend | $2,052 |
| 346 | Bristol | $2,050 |
| 347 | Carson | $2,046 |
| 348 | Apex | $2,044 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Plainfield | 98.6% |
| 14 | Elkhart | 98.3% |
| 15 | Nashua | 98.3% |
| 16 | South Bend | 98.2% |
| 17 | Hartford | 98.0% |
| 18 | Waterbury | 97.9% |
| 19 | East Orange | 97.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
South Bend ranks 186 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 183 | Broomfield | 27.7% |
| 184 | Muncie | 27.6% |
| 185 | Davis | 27.5% |
| 186 | South Bend | 27.5% |
| 187 | New York | 27.4% |
| 188 | Tucson | 27.4% |
| 189 | Wheaton | 27.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 211 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 208 | Topeka | $3,429 |
| 209 | North Port | $3,428 |
| 210 | Waco | $3,420 |
| 211 | South Bend | $3,390 |
| 212 | Fargo | $3,383 |
| 213 | Evansville | $3,370 |
| 214 | Mobile | $3,364 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 208 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Joliet | $3,393 |
| 206 | Olympia | $3,391 |
| 207 | Des Moines | $3,362 |
| 208 | South Bend | $3,342 |
| 209 | Concord | $3,332 |
| 210 | Daytona Beach | $3,296 |
| 211 | San Jose | $3,284 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 322 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | Sunrise | $1,024 |
| 320 | Murfreesboro | $1,023 |
| 321 | Kannapolis | $1,021 |
| 322 | South Bend | $1,015 |
| 323 | Chico | $1,015 |
| 324 | Fort Smith | $1,014 |
| 325 | Kenosha | $1,013 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 72 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | St. Paul | $567 |
| 70 | Kansas City | $567 |
| 71 | Pawtucket | $566 |
| 72 | South Bend | $561 |
| 73 | Watsonville | $560 |
| 74 | Redlands | $558 |
| 75 | Birmingham | $556 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 294 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 291 | Cary | $2,247 |
| 292 | Rancho Cordova | $2,244 |
| 293 | Largo | $2,229 |
| 294 | South Bend | $2,228 |
| 295 | Peabody | $2,207 |
| 296 | Boulder | $2,202 |
| 297 | Columbus | $2,196 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Quincy | 97.7% |
| 19 | Weymouth Town | 97.6% |
| 20 | East Orange | 97.5% |
| 21 | South Bend | 97.4% |
| 22 | Farmington Hills | 97.4% |
| 23 | Taunton | 97.2% |
| 24 | Methuen | 97.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
South Bend ranks 198 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | Dearborn | 25.2% |
| 196 | Fort Wayne | 25.1% |
| 197 | Queen Creek | 25.0% |
| 198 | South Bend | 25.0% |
| 199 | Rogers | 24.8% |
| 200 | Oshkosh | 24.7% |
| 201 | Modesto | 24.7% |
More on South Bend: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.