Government budget and revenue in Spokane, Washington: official figures
Spokane's city government took in $710.82 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,088 for each of its 230,160 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 251st highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Spokane spend and on what?
It spent $717.20 million in the same year, $3,116 per resident, the 225th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were solid waste (14.2%), police (13.5%) and the water utility (12.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Spokane collect per resident?
Taxes raised $284.11 million ($1,234 per resident, the 220th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 46.3% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Spokane rely on?
Of Spokane's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 34.9%, general sales tax 28.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 29.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Spokane's property tax share is the 153rd 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 Spokane get?
Payments from other governments made up 14.0% of Spokane's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 1.7% from the federal government ($44 per resident), 12.2% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Spokane raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $192.72 million, 31.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $97.53 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Spokane spend on police?
Spokane's city government spent $96.55 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $420 per resident (the 202nd highest of 582) and 13.5% 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 Spokane spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $78.89 million, $343 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Spokane have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Spokane's city government owed $437.59 million in long-term debt, $1,901 per resident (the 245th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $8.54 million of new long-term debt and repaid $23.41 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Spokane pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $13.63 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Spokane city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 11.1% from $2,780 to $3,088, spending per resident rose 20.1% to $3,116, taxes per resident rose 1.8% to $1,234.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Spokane 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))
Spokane ranks 263 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 260 | South Jordan | $2,791 |
| 261 | Battle Creek | $2,790 |
| 262 | Fort Myers | $2,782 |
| 263 | Spokane | $2,780 |
| 264 | Oak Lawn | $2,778 |
| 265 | Phoenix | $2,776 |
| 266 | Carlsbad | $2,775 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane ranks 278 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 275 | Southfield | $2,617 |
| 276 | Brentwood | $2,617 |
| 277 | St. George | $2,611 |
| 278 | Spokane | $2,595 |
| 279 | Winter Haven | $2,588 |
| 280 | Grand Rapids | $2,569 |
| 281 | Elizabeth | $2,568 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane ranks 223 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 220 | Union City | $1,219 |
| 221 | Rancho Cucamonga | $1,218 |
| 222 | Burleson | $1,214 |
| 223 | Spokane | $1,213 |
| 224 | Chattanooga | $1,212 |
| 225 | Lebanon | $1,209 |
| 226 | Carson City | $1,208 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane 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 spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 342 | Waco | $325 |
| 343 | North Richland Hills | $324 |
| 344 | Davis | $324 |
| 345 | Spokane | $324 |
| 346 | New Brunswick | $323 |
| 347 | Schenectady | $323 |
| 348 | Folsom | $323 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane ranks 343 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 340 | West Allis | $2,121 |
| 341 | Sarasota | $2,113 |
| 342 | Wilmington | $2,100 |
| 343 | Spokane | $2,077 |
| 344 | Palatine | $2,075 |
| 345 | South Bend | $2,052 |
| 346 | Bristol | $2,050 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane ranks 523 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 520 | Eagle Mountain | 32.9% |
| 521 | Plainfield | 32.9% |
| 522 | Murrieta | 32.9% |
| 523 | Spokane | 32.9% |
| 524 | Vallejo | 32.8% |
| 525 | Moreno Valley | 32.8% |
| 526 | Corona | 32.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Spokane ranks 526 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 523 | Tustin | 12.1% |
| 524 | Beaumont | 12.1% |
| 525 | Goose Creek | 12.0% |
| 526 | Spokane | 12.0% |
| 527 | Arvada | 12.0% |
| 528 | Conroe | 12.0% |
| 529 | Santa Fe | 12.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane ranks 251 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 248 | West Des Moines | $3,111 |
| 249 | Renton | $3,107 |
| 250 | Grand Junction | $3,095 |
| 251 | Spokane | $3,088 |
| 252 | Victorville | $3,086 |
| 253 | Bellingham | $3,080 |
| 254 | Minneapolis | $3,077 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane 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 government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 222 | Redlands | $3,182 |
| 223 | Columbus | $3,172 |
| 224 | Buckeye | $3,125 |
| 225 | Spokane | $3,116 |
| 226 | Pembroke Pines | $3,111 |
| 227 | Dearborn | $3,102 |
| 228 | Fresno | $3,081 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane ranks 220 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | Oxnard | $1,250 |
| 218 | Sacramento | $1,248 |
| 219 | Burleson | $1,237 |
| 220 | Spokane | $1,234 |
| 221 | Pflugerville | $1,228 |
| 222 | Davenport | $1,228 |
| 223 | Rancho Cordova | $1,224 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane 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 spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 199 | Renton | $423 |
| 200 | Bartlett | $422 |
| 201 | Newton | $420 |
| 202 | Spokane | $420 |
| 203 | Murrieta | $417 |
| 204 | Chandler | $416 |
| 205 | Buffalo | $416 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane ranks 338 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 335 | Tucson | $1,909 |
| 336 | Ankeny | $1,905 |
| 337 | Rochester | $1,902 |
| 338 | Spokane | $1,901 |
| 339 | Boynton Beach | $1,898 |
| 340 | Everett | $1,891 |
| 341 | Perth Amboy | $1,876 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane ranks 428 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 425 | Oxnard | 35.2% |
| 426 | Grand Forks | 34.9% |
| 427 | Plainfield | 34.9% |
| 428 | Spokane | 34.9% |
| 429 | Watsonville | 34.7% |
| 430 | Murrieta | 34.6% |
| 431 | Millcreek | 34.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Spokane ranks 367 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 364 | Sarasota | 14.2% |
| 365 | Boynton Beach | 14.1% |
| 366 | Tampa | 14.0% |
| 367 | Spokane | 14.0% |
| 368 | Bend | 13.9% |
| 369 | Tigard | 13.8% |
| 370 | Lee's Summit | 13.8% |
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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.