Government budget and revenue in Suffolk, Virginia: official figures
Suffolk's city government took in $602.70 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $6,117 for each of its 98,537 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 58th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Suffolk spend and on what?
It spent $678.90 million in the same year, $6,890 per resident, the 52nd 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 (36.8%), roads and highways (15.7%) and fire protection (8.0%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Suffolk collect per resident?
Taxes raised $274.81 million ($2,789 per resident, the 29th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 48.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Suffolk rely on?
Of Suffolk's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 75.2%, general sales tax 7.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 9.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Suffolk's property tax share is the 143rd 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 Suffolk get?
Payments from other governments made up 31.3% of Suffolk's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 3.6% from the federal government ($206 per resident), 27.2% from the state and 0.6% 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 Suffolk raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $61.92 million, 10.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $32.25 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Suffolk spend on police?
Suffolk's city government spent $39.70 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $403 per resident (the 216th highest of 582) and 5.8% 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 Suffolk spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $54.54 million, $553 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Suffolk city government run the schools?
Suffolk's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $250.08 million, 36.8% 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 Suffolk have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Suffolk's city government owed $676.45 million in long-term debt, $6,865 per resident (the 42nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $6.80 million of new long-term debt and repaid $15.43 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Suffolk pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $20.52 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 3.0% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Suffolk city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 18.5% from $5,161 to $6,117, spending per resident rose 11.4% to $6,890, taxes per resident rose 15.4% to $2,789.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Suffolk 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))
Suffolk ranks 77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Bridgeport | $5,315 |
| 75 | Norwalk | $5,298 |
| 76 | Lowell | $5,191 |
| 77 | Suffolk | $5,161 |
| 78 | Quincy | $5,159 |
| 79 | Kansas City | $5,104 |
| 80 | Los Angeles | $5,088 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 47 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Harrisonburg | $6,246 |
| 45 | Norwalk | $6,244 |
| 46 | Lakeland | $6,197 |
| 47 | Suffolk | $6,185 |
| 48 | Mountain View | $6,167 |
| 49 | Stamford | $6,149 |
| 50 | New Britain | $6,096 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 43 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | White Plains | $2,427 |
| 41 | Celina | $2,425 |
| 42 | Birmingham | $2,422 |
| 43 | Suffolk | $2,416 |
| 44 | Bridgeport | $2,409 |
| 45 | New Haven | $2,408 |
| 46 | St. Louis | $2,403 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 313 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 310 | Bakersfield | $337 |
| 311 | Troy | $336 |
| 312 | Largo | $336 |
| 313 | Suffolk | $336 |
| 314 | Prescott Valley | $336 |
| 315 | Everett | $336 |
| 316 | El Monte | $335 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Kansas City | $7,490 |
| 37 | Long Beach | $7,439 |
| 38 | Baltimore | $7,428 |
| 39 | Suffolk | $7,331 |
| 40 | Seattle | $7,295 |
| 41 | Alexandria | $7,262 |
| 42 | Fargo | $7,213 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 158 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 155 | Durham | 73.3% |
| 156 | Miami | 72.9% |
| 157 | Gulfport | 72.9% |
| 158 | Suffolk | 72.8% |
| 159 | Palm Coast | 72.7% |
| 160 | Eugene | 72.5% |
| 161 | Kingsport | 72.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Suffolk ranks 115 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Terre Haute | 33.7% |
| 113 | Framingham | 33.6% |
| 114 | Phoenix | 33.6% |
| 115 | Suffolk | 33.5% |
| 116 | Gilbert | 33.4% |
| 117 | Reno | 33.4% |
| 118 | Gresham | 33.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Peabody | $6,214 |
| 56 | Galveston | $6,183 |
| 57 | Santa Barbara | $6,155 |
| 58 | Suffolk | $6,117 |
| 59 | Roseville | $6,082 |
| 60 | Union City | $6,068 |
| 61 | Roanoke | $6,066 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 52 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | Syracuse | $6,966 |
| 50 | East Orange | $6,958 |
| 51 | Somerville | $6,951 |
| 52 | Suffolk | $6,890 |
| 53 | Norwalk | $6,854 |
| 54 | Lawrence | $6,780 |
| 55 | Ocala | $6,701 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 29 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Newport Beach | $2,882 |
| 27 | Virginia Beach | $2,822 |
| 28 | Birmingham | $2,814 |
| 29 | Suffolk | $2,789 |
| 30 | Nashua | $2,777 |
| 31 | Palo Alto | $2,716 |
| 32 | Chesapeake | $2,694 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 216 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Cedar Rapids | $405 |
| 214 | Largo | $405 |
| 215 | Wilmington | $403 |
| 216 | Suffolk | $403 |
| 217 | Dothan | $402 |
| 218 | Mount Prospect | $401 |
| 219 | Arlington Heights | $399 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 42 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | Urban Honolulu | $7,075 |
| 40 | Schaumburg | $7,023 |
| 41 | Long Beach | $6,930 |
| 42 | Suffolk | $6,865 |
| 43 | Lancaster | $6,835 |
| 44 | Columbia | $6,809 |
| 45 | Portland | $6,732 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 143 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Palm Beach Gardens | 76.2% |
| 141 | West Des Moines | 75.4% |
| 142 | Jeffersonville | 75.3% |
| 143 | Suffolk | 75.2% |
| 144 | Portsmouth | 75.0% |
| 145 | Mount Prospect | 74.9% |
| 146 | St. Paul | 74.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Suffolk ranks 132 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 129 | Phoenix | 31.5% |
| 130 | Arlington Heights | 31.4% |
| 131 | Peoria | 31.4% |
| 132 | Suffolk | 31.3% |
| 133 | Taylor | 31.3% |
| 134 | Perth Amboy | 31.3% |
| 135 | Madison | 31.2% |
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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…)
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