Government budget and revenue in Sterling Heights, Michigan: official figures
Sterling Heights' city government took in $295.31 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,228 for each of its 132,567 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 154th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Sterling Heights spend and on what?
It spent $260.36 million in the same year, $1,964 per resident, the 125th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (16.3%), roads and highways (14.9%) and sewerage (12.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Sterling Heights collect per resident?
Taxes raised $94.16 million ($710 per resident, the 80th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 34.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Sterling Heights rely on?
Of Sterling Heights' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 96.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Sterling Heights' property tax share is the 35th 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 Sterling Heights get?
Payments from other governments made up 21.1% of Sterling Heights' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 2.8% from the federal government ($57 per resident), 16.8% from the state and 1.5% 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 Sterling Heights raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $106.89 million, 39.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $21.75 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sterling Heights spend on police?
Sterling Heights' city government spent $42.47 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $320 per resident (the 222nd lowest of 582) and 16.3% 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 Sterling Heights spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $27.67 million, $209 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Sterling Heights have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Sterling Heights' city government owed $214.85 million in long-term debt, $1,621 per resident (the 207th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $11.61 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Sterling Heights pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $10.59 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 4.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Sterling Heights city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 46.2% from $1,523 to $2,228, spending per resident rose 16.0% to $1,964, taxes per resident rose 12.0% to $710.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Sterling Heights 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))
Sterling Heights ranks 636 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 633 | Southaven | $1,531 |
| 634 | Fontana | $1,530 |
| 635 | Pasadena | $1,528 |
| 636 | Sterling Heights | $1,523 |
| 637 | Buena Park | $1,522 |
| 638 | Kennewick | $1,522 |
| 639 | Westfield | $1,506 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sterling Heights ranks 528 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 525 | Chandler | $1,696 |
| 526 | Minnetonka | $1,694 |
| 527 | Tulare | $1,693 |
| 528 | Sterling Heights | $1,693 |
| 529 | Margate | $1,689 |
| 530 | League City | $1,689 |
| 531 | Alpharetta | $1,689 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sterling Heights ranks 636 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 633 | Federal Way | $639 |
| 634 | Woodbury | $638 |
| 635 | Bozeman | $637 |
| 636 | Sterling Heights | $634 |
| 637 | O'Fallon | $634 |
| 638 | Brookhaven | $630 |
| 639 | Henderson | $630 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sterling Heights ranks 441 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 438 | Apopka | $290 |
| 439 | New Bedford | $290 |
| 440 | Vineland | $288 |
| 441 | Sterling Heights | $287 |
| 442 | Davenport | $287 |
| 443 | Gastonia | $287 |
| 444 | Champaign | $287 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sterling Heights ranks 392 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 389 | Davis | $1,798 |
| 390 | Moore | $1,797 |
| 391 | Ankeny | $1,796 |
| 392 | Sterling Heights | $1,792 |
| 393 | Winter Haven | $1,784 |
| 394 | Rockville | $1,781 |
| 395 | Reno | $1,779 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Sterling Heights ranks 33 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 36 | Lowell | 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))
Sterling Heights ranks 226 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 223 | Overland Park | 25.5% |
| 224 | Nashua | 25.4% |
| 225 | Little Rock | 25.3% |
| 226 | Sterling Heights | 25.1% |
| 227 | Danbury | 25.1% |
| 228 | Houston | 25.0% |
| 229 | Anaheim | 25.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 429 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 426 | Burlington | $2,238 |
| 427 | North Richland Hills | $2,231 |
| 428 | Harlingen | $2,230 |
| 429 | Sterling Heights | $2,228 |
| 430 | Tamarac | $2,226 |
| 431 | Janesville | $2,222 |
| 432 | Conroe | $2,217 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Lawrence | $1,971 |
| 456 | Reno | $1,969 |
| 457 | Elgin | $1,969 |
| 458 | Sterling Heights | $1,964 |
| 459 | Camden | $1,955 |
| 460 | Westfield | $1,953 |
| 461 | Champaign | $1,951 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 503 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | Lakewood | $714 |
| 501 | Lake Forest | $713 |
| 502 | Gilbert | $712 |
| 503 | Sterling Heights | $710 |
| 504 | Roswell | $710 |
| 505 | Eagan | $707 |
| 506 | Summerville | $706 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 361 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 358 | Carmel | $321 |
| 359 | Tucson | $321 |
| 360 | Lubbock | $321 |
| 361 | Sterling Heights | $320 |
| 362 | Bellevue | $320 |
| 363 | Edina | $320 |
| 364 | Bellingham | $320 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 376 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 373 | Battle Creek | $1,640 |
| 374 | Elkhart | $1,640 |
| 375 | Council Bluffs | $1,630 |
| 376 | Sterling Heights | $1,621 |
| 377 | Davie | $1,618 |
| 378 | Thornton | $1,592 |
| 379 | St. Charles | $1,585 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Sterling Heights ranks 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Lowell | 96.2% |
| 33 | Lawrence | 96.2% |
| 34 | Brockton | 96.1% |
| 35 | Sterling Heights | 96.1% |
| 36 | West New York | 96.0% |
| 37 | Springfield | 96.0% |
| 38 | Southfield | 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))
Sterling Heights 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 | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 257 | Pocatello | 20.7% |
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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.