Government budget and revenue in Springfield, Massachusetts: official figures
Springfield's city government took in $1.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $7,287 for each of its 154,064 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 30th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Springfield spend and on what?
It spent $1.3 billion in the same year, $8,223 per resident, the 25th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (62.9%), police (6.4%) and fire protection (3.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Springfield collect per resident?
Taxes raised $282.98 million ($1,837 per resident, the 92nd highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 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 Springfield rely on?
Of Springfield's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 96.0%, 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%; Springfield's property tax share is the 37th 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 Springfield get?
Payments from other governments made up 69.4% of Springfield's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 10.2% from the federal government ($740 per resident), 59.2% 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 Springfield raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $21.82 million, 1.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Springfield spend on police?
Springfield's city government spent $81.51 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $529 per resident (the 86th highest of 582) and 6.4% 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 Springfield spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $39.27 million, $255 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Springfield city government run the schools?
Springfield's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $796.72 million, 62.9% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Springfield have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Springfield's city government owed $241.29 million in long-term debt, $1,566 per resident (the 200th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $35.06 million of new long-term debt and repaid $13.32 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Springfield pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $12.86 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Springfield city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 2.8% from $7,088 to $7,287, spending per resident rose 25.6% to $8,223, taxes per resident fell 5.8% to $1,837.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Springfield 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))
Springfield ranks 17 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Boston | $7,538 |
| 15 | Richmond | $7,394 |
| 16 | Rochester | $7,173 |
| 17 | Springfield | $7,088 |
| 18 | Baton Rouge | $7,049 |
| 19 | Newton | $7,010 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $6,996 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Watsonville | $6,617 |
| 33 | Lansing | $6,600 |
| 34 | Buffalo | $6,591 |
| 35 | Springfield | $6,545 |
| 36 | Newport News | $6,526 |
| 37 | Everett | $6,484 |
| 38 | Norman | $6,428 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 85 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Perth Amboy | $1,964 |
| 83 | Lynchburg | $1,955 |
| 84 | Bayonne | $1,953 |
| 85 | Springfield | $1,949 |
| 86 | Pasadena | $1,935 |
| 87 | Chicopee | $1,931 |
| 88 | New Britain | $1,925 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 333 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 330 | Edmond | $328 |
| 331 | Portsmouth | $327 |
| 332 | Brooklyn Park | $327 |
| 333 | Springfield | $327 |
| 334 | Pawtucket | $327 |
| 335 | Chandler | $327 |
| 336 | Portland | $327 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 432 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 429 | Renton | $1,567 |
| 430 | Encinitas | $1,564 |
| 431 | Oak Lawn | $1,563 |
| 432 | Springfield | $1,554 |
| 433 | Homestead | $1,543 |
| 434 | Salinas | $1,542 |
| 435 | Yuba City | $1,542 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 32 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Lynn | 97.2% |
| 30 | Methuen | 97.0% |
| 31 | Quincy | 97.0% |
| 32 | Springfield | 96.9% |
| 33 | Sterling Heights | 96.9% |
| 34 | Bristol | 96.8% |
| 35 | Framingham | 96.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Springfield ranks 12 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | East Orange | 72.0% |
| 10 | New Brunswick | 71.9% |
| 11 | Lynn | 69.8% |
| 12 | Springfield | 69.6% |
| 13 | New Bedford | 63.3% |
| 14 | Brockton | 63.1% |
| 15 | Lowell | 61.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 30 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Baton Rouge | $7,748 |
| 28 | Kissimmee | $7,595 |
| 29 | Grand Island | $7,505 |
| 30 | Springfield | $7,287 |
| 31 | Philadelphia | $7,208 |
| 32 | Trenton | $7,103 |
| 33 | Ames | $7,044 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Newton | $8,408 |
| 23 | Trenton | $8,380 |
| 24 | Waltham | $8,294 |
| 25 | Springfield | $8,223 |
| 26 | Everett | $8,126 |
| 27 | New Brunswick | $8,040 |
| 28 | Union City | $7,934 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Torrance | $1,864 |
| 90 | Olympia | $1,864 |
| 91 | Brockton | $1,846 |
| 92 | Springfield | $1,837 |
| 93 | West Palm Beach | $1,833 |
| 94 | Queen Creek | $1,826 |
| 95 | Carlsbad | $1,822 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 86 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 83 | San Bernardino | $538 |
| 84 | San Jose | $536 |
| 85 | Philadelphia | $534 |
| 86 | Springfield | $529 |
| 87 | Burlington | $529 |
| 88 | Denton | $528 |
| 89 | Tampa | $527 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 383 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 380 | Peoria | $1,579 |
| 381 | West Allis | $1,572 |
| 382 | Franklin | $1,569 |
| 383 | Springfield | $1,566 |
| 384 | Melbourne | $1,549 |
| 385 | Shoreline | $1,546 |
| 386 | Killeen | $1,530 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Brockton | 96.1% |
| 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% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Springfield ranks 8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Trenton | 77.8% |
| 6 | Lawrence | 75.1% |
| 7 | West New York | 71.2% |
| 8 | Springfield | 69.4% |
| 9 | East Orange | 69.1% |
| 10 | Meriden | 64.9% |
| 11 | Lynn | 64.2% |
More on Springfield: 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.