Government budget and revenue in Syracuse, New York: official figures
Syracuse's city government took in $940.18 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $6,509 for each of its 144,451 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 45th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Syracuse spend and on what?
It spent $1.0 billion in the same year, $6,966 per resident, the 49th 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 (58.3%), roads and highways (6.5%) and police (6.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Syracuse collect per resident?
Taxes raised $72.58 million ($502 per resident, the 16th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 7.9% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Syracuse rely on?
Of Syracuse's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 88.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Syracuse's property tax share is the 111th 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 Syracuse get?
Payments from other governments made up 84.4% of Syracuse's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 5.4% from the federal government ($340 per resident), 65.9% from the state and 13.2% 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 Syracuse raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $22.16 million, 2.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $26.79 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Syracuse spend on police?
Syracuse's city government spent $65.04 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $450 per resident (the 170th highest of 582) and 6.5% 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 Syracuse spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $46.68 million, $323 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Syracuse city government run the schools?
Syracuse's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $586.43 million, 58.3% 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 Syracuse have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Syracuse's city government owed $416.22 million in long-term debt, $2,881 per resident (the 203rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $50.46 million of new long-term debt and repaid $28.70 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Syracuse pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $13.72 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Syracuse city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 47.4% from $4,416 to $6,509, spending per resident rose 79.5% to $6,966, taxes per resident rose 13.7% to $502.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Syracuse 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))
Syracuse ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Pensacola | $4,443 |
| 109 | Bayonne | $4,433 |
| 110 | Cranston | $4,425 |
| 111 | Syracuse | $4,416 |
| 112 | Galveston | $4,404 |
| 113 | Pawtucket | $4,400 |
| 114 | Redding | $4,374 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 141 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 138 | Corona | $3,928 |
| 139 | South San Francisco | $3,907 |
| 140 | Rocky Mount | $3,893 |
| 141 | Syracuse | $3,881 |
| 142 | Medford | $3,870 |
| 143 | Detroit | $3,853 |
| 144 | Methuen | $3,853 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 707 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 704 | West Jordan | $454 |
| 705 | Albany | $451 |
| 706 | Wyoming | $444 |
| 707 | Syracuse | $442 |
| 708 | Las Vegas | $440 |
| 709 | Franklin | $437 |
| 710 | Flint | $436 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 726 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 723 | Shoreline | $1 |
| 724 | Queen Creek | $0 |
| 725 | Draper | $0 |
| 726 | Syracuse | $0 |
| 727 | Springfield | $0 |
| 728 | New Rochelle | $0 |
| 729 | Rochester Hills | $0 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 415 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 412 | Thornton | $1,691 |
| 413 | Bozeman | $1,690 |
| 414 | Anderson | $1,681 |
| 415 | Syracuse | $1,677 |
| 416 | Deltona | $1,677 |
| 417 | Santa Ana | $1,676 |
| 418 | Pico Rivera | $1,668 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse | 100.0% |
| 2 | Lorain | 100.0% |
| 3 | West Haven | 100.0% |
| 4 | Perth Amboy | 99.9% |
| 5 | Passaic | 99.8% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 99.4% |
| 7 | Bayonne | 99.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Syracuse ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse | 87.7% |
| 2 | Buffalo | 83.1% |
| 3 | Rochester | 77.6% |
| 4 | Trenton | 77.0% |
| 5 | Camden | 76.7% |
| 6 | Lawrence | 76.3% |
| 7 | Union City | 75.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 45 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Huntsville | $6,677 |
| 43 | New Bedford | $6,600 |
| 44 | Lafayette | $6,577 |
| 45 | Syracuse | $6,509 |
| 46 | Norman | $6,455 |
| 47 | Tacoma | $6,442 |
| 48 | Ocala | $6,433 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 49 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Lowell | $7,075 |
| 47 | Revere | $7,030 |
| 48 | Norman | $6,985 |
| 49 | Syracuse | $6,966 |
| 50 | East Orange | $6,958 |
| 51 | Somerville | $6,951 |
| 52 | Suffolk | $6,890 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 567 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 564 | Kentwood | $507 |
| 565 | Clarksville | $506 |
| 566 | Schenectady | $506 |
| 567 | Syracuse | $502 |
| 568 | Palm Coast | $494 |
| 569 | Kalamazoo | $487 |
| 570 | Albany | $472 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Albuquerque | $455 |
| 168 | Houston | $455 |
| 169 | Little Rock | $455 |
| 170 | Syracuse | $450 |
| 171 | Pleasanton | $449 |
| 172 | Southfield | $449 |
| 173 | North Little Rock | $449 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 203 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Joliet | $2,937 |
| 201 | Stamford | $2,918 |
| 202 | San Angelo | $2,900 |
| 203 | Syracuse | $2,881 |
| 204 | Grapevine | $2,870 |
| 205 | Gulfport | $2,852 |
| 206 | Hampton | $2,850 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 111 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 108 | Billings | 88.9% |
| 109 | Jackson | 88.8% |
| 110 | Madison | 88.6% |
| 111 | Syracuse | 88.3% |
| 112 | Maple Grove | 88.2% |
| 113 | Cambridge | 87.9% |
| 114 | Schenectady | 87.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Syracuse ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union City | 86.4% |
| 2 | Syracuse | 84.4% |
| 3 | Buffalo | 82.7% |
| 4 | Rochester | 79.2% |
| 5 | Trenton | 77.8% |
| 6 | Lawrence | 75.1% |
| 7 | West New York | 71.2% |
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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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.