Government budget and revenue in Southfield, Michigan: official figures
Southfield's city government took in $215.79 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,861 for each of its 75,431 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 283rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Southfield spend and on what?
It spent $220.29 million in the same year, $2,920 per resident, the 254th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (18.1%), police (15.4%) and fire protection (12.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Southfield collect per resident?
Taxes raised $91.50 million ($1,213 per resident, the 225th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 54.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Southfield rely on?
Of Southfield's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 95.9%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Southfield's property tax share is the 38th 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 Southfield get?
Payments from other governments made up 21.1% of Southfield's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 3.6% from the federal government ($81 per resident), 15.1% from the state and 2.4% 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 Southfield raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $11.50 million, 6.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $46.54 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Southfield spend on police?
Southfield's city government spent $33.88 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $449 per resident (the 172nd highest of 582) and 15.4% 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 Southfield spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $28.18 million, $374 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Southfield have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Southfield's city government owed $140.25 million in long-term debt, $1,859 per resident (the 240th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $9.16 million of new long-term debt and repaid $12.45 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Southfield pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $4.50 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Southfield city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 13.9% from $2,512 to $2,861, spending per resident rose 11.6% to $2,920, taxes per resident rose 3.1% to $1,213.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Southfield 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))
Southfield ranks 328 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 325 | Bossier City | $2,538 |
| 326 | Watsonville | $2,526 |
| 327 | Beaumont | $2,521 |
| 328 | Southfield | $2,512 |
| 329 | Little Elm | $2,510 |
| 330 | Petaluma | $2,504 |
| 331 | Apex | $2,503 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield 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 government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 272 | Edina | $2,620 |
| 273 | San Clemente | $2,619 |
| 274 | Flagstaff | $2,618 |
| 275 | Southfield | $2,617 |
| 276 | Brentwood | $2,617 |
| 277 | St. George | $2,611 |
| 278 | Spokane | $2,595 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield ranks 240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Davenport | $1,190 |
| 238 | Clearwater | $1,187 |
| 239 | Madison | $1,181 |
| 240 | Southfield | $1,177 |
| 241 | Flower Mound | $1,176 |
| 242 | Frederick | $1,176 |
| 243 | Dearborn | $1,171 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield ranks 185 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 182 | Walnut Creek | $409 |
| 183 | Battle Creek | $408 |
| 184 | Longmont | $408 |
| 185 | Southfield | $407 |
| 186 | Little Rock | $406 |
| 187 | Schaumburg | $405 |
| 188 | Pembroke Pines | $404 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield ranks 352 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 349 | Minneapolis | $2,030 |
| 350 | Milpitas | $2,007 |
| 351 | Haverhill | $2,000 |
| 352 | Southfield | $1,994 |
| 353 | Colton | $1,994 |
| 354 | St. Louis Park | $1,984 |
| 355 | Hollywood | $1,981 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield ranks 72 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Haverhill | 94.7% |
| 70 | Oshkosh | 94.3% |
| 71 | Hammond | 94.2% |
| 72 | Southfield | 94.1% |
| 73 | Camden | 94.1% |
| 74 | Hempstead | 94.1% |
| 75 | Dearborn Heights | 94.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Southfield ranks 245 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 242 | Columbia | 23.8% |
| 243 | Owensboro | 23.8% |
| 244 | South Gate | 23.6% |
| 245 | Southfield | 23.5% |
| 246 | Columbus | 23.4% |
| 247 | Modesto | 23.4% |
| 248 | Apopka | 23.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 283 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 280 | Kalamazoo | $2,871 |
| 281 | Kirkland | $2,870 |
| 282 | Cape Coral | $2,865 |
| 283 | Southfield | $2,861 |
| 284 | Casa Grande | $2,855 |
| 285 | Oklahoma City | $2,853 |
| 286 | Springfield | $2,849 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 254 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 251 | Carlsbad | $2,931 |
| 252 | Pittsburgh | $2,931 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $2,922 |
| 254 | Southfield | $2,920 |
| 255 | Stillwater | $2,920 |
| 256 | Pleasanton | $2,906 |
| 257 | Boynton Beach | $2,867 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 225 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 222 | Davenport | $1,228 |
| 223 | Rancho Cordova | $1,224 |
| 224 | Vacaville | $1,217 |
| 225 | Southfield | $1,213 |
| 226 | Edina | $1,210 |
| 227 | Bloomington | $1,210 |
| 228 | Tinley Park | $1,209 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 172 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | Little Rock | $455 |
| 170 | Syracuse | $450 |
| 171 | Pleasanton | $449 |
| 172 | Southfield | $449 |
| 173 | North Little Rock | $449 |
| 174 | Eugene | $448 |
| 175 | Vallejo | $448 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 343 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 340 | Everett | $1,891 |
| 341 | Perth Amboy | $1,876 |
| 342 | Downers Grove | $1,876 |
| 343 | Southfield | $1,859 |
| 344 | Bentonville | $1,854 |
| 345 | Fairfield | $1,853 |
| 346 | Reading | $1,853 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 38 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Sterling Heights | 96.1% |
| 36 | West New York | 96.0% |
| 37 | Springfield | 96.0% |
| 38 | Southfield | 95.9% |
| 39 | Hartford | 95.9% |
| 40 | Newton | 95.9% |
| 41 | Elizabeth | 95.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Southfield ranks 253 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Hoffman Estates | 21.3% |
| 251 | Iowa City | 21.2% |
| 252 | Atlanta | 21.1% |
| 253 | Southfield | 21.1% |
| 254 | Sterling Heights | 21.1% |
| 255 | Fort Pierce | 21.0% |
| 256 | Plainfield | 20.9% |
More on Southfield: 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.