Government budget and revenue in Tacoma, Washington: official figures
Tacoma's city government took in $1.4 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $6,442 for each of its 221,776 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 47th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Tacoma spend and on what?
It spent $1.4 billion in the same year, $6,121 per resident, the 70th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the electric utility (34.0%), the water utility (8.9%) and sewerage (8.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Tacoma collect per resident?
Taxes raised $321.47 million ($1,450 per resident, the 147th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 40.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Tacoma rely on?
Of Tacoma's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 26.1%, general sales tax 33.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 9.7%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Tacoma's property tax share is the 103rd 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 Tacoma get?
Payments from other governments made up 8.2% of Tacoma's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 2.4% from the federal government ($85 per resident), 4.7% from the state and 1.1% 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 Tacoma raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $317.85 million, 39.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $632.77 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Tacoma spend on police?
Tacoma's city government spent $114.52 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $516 per resident (the 102nd highest of 582) and 8.4% 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 Tacoma spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $114.14 million, $515 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Tacoma have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Tacoma's city government owed $2.1 billion in long-term debt, $9,286 per resident (the 23rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $388.79 million of new long-term debt and repaid $297.52 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Tacoma pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $64.87 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 4.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Tacoma city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 8.6% from $5,929 to $6,442, spending per resident rose 8.6% to $6,121, taxes per resident rose 8.5% to $1,450.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Tacoma 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))
Tacoma ranks 48 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Revere | $6,035 |
| 46 | New Bedford | $6,032 |
| 47 | Newport News | $5,965 |
| 48 | Tacoma | $5,929 |
| 49 | Yonkers | $5,925 |
| 50 | Waltham | $5,902 |
| 51 | Long Beach | $5,892 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Broomfield | $5,718 |
| 64 | Providence | $5,715 |
| 65 | Long Beach | $5,657 |
| 66 | Tacoma | $5,635 |
| 67 | Barnstable Town | $5,626 |
| 68 | Bridgeport | $5,624 |
| 69 | Ames | $5,606 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 182 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 179 | Folsom | $1,352 |
| 180 | Des Moines | $1,349 |
| 181 | Arcadia | $1,338 |
| 182 | Tacoma | $1,337 |
| 183 | Collierville | $1,330 |
| 184 | Dallas | $1,328 |
| 185 | Flagstaff | $1,322 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 177 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 174 | Kansas City | $414 |
| 175 | Santa Rosa | $414 |
| 176 | San Leandro | $413 |
| 177 | Tacoma | $412 |
| 178 | Denton | $411 |
| 179 | Lakewood | $410 |
| 180 | Pomona | $409 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 22 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Waukesha | $8,895 |
| 20 | Baton Rouge | $8,842 |
| 21 | Chicago | $8,649 |
| 22 | Tacoma | $8,614 |
| 23 | Oshkosh | $8,504 |
| 24 | Lansing | $8,494 |
| 25 | Dallas | $8,280 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 566 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 563 | Sioux Falls | 28.8% |
| 564 | Rio Rancho | 28.6% |
| 565 | Chico | 28.6% |
| 566 | Tacoma | 28.4% |
| 567 | Huntington Park | 28.4% |
| 568 | Cupertino | 28.4% |
| 569 | Lakewood | 28.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tacoma ranks 411 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 408 | Plymouth | 16.2% |
| 409 | Rio Rancho | 16.2% |
| 410 | Glendale | 16.1% |
| 411 | Tacoma | 16.1% |
| 412 | Lodi | 16.0% |
| 413 | Rancho Cucamonga | 16.0% |
| 414 | Elk Grove | 15.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 47 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Lafayette | $6,577 |
| 45 | Syracuse | $6,509 |
| 46 | Norman | $6,455 |
| 47 | Tacoma | $6,442 |
| 48 | Ocala | $6,433 |
| 49 | Atlanta | $6,401 |
| 50 | Lakeland | $6,319 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 70 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Gainesville | $6,165 |
| 68 | Lynchburg | $6,143 |
| 69 | Galveston | $6,142 |
| 70 | Tacoma | $6,121 |
| 71 | Denton | $6,109 |
| 72 | Stamford | $6,023 |
| 73 | Bridgeport | $5,989 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 147 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 144 | Bothell | $1,459 |
| 145 | Thornton | $1,458 |
| 146 | Columbus | $1,455 |
| 147 | Tacoma | $1,450 |
| 148 | Kirkland | $1,449 |
| 149 | Sioux Falls | $1,445 |
| 150 | Tuscaloosa | $1,443 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 102 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | Carlsbad | $522 |
| 100 | Sacramento | $518 |
| 101 | Dallas | $517 |
| 102 | Tacoma | $516 |
| 103 | Commerce City | $514 |
| 104 | Tracy | $513 |
| 105 | Hempstead | $512 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 23 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Denton | $9,840 |
| 21 | Kansas City | $9,638 |
| 22 | San Antonio | $9,460 |
| 23 | Tacoma | $9,286 |
| 24 | Anaheim | $9,027 |
| 25 | Queen Creek | $8,644 |
| 26 | Richmond | $8,569 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 478 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 475 | Greeley | 26.4% |
| 476 | Riverside | 26.3% |
| 477 | Auburn | 26.2% |
| 478 | Tacoma | 26.1% |
| 479 | Huntsville | 26.1% |
| 480 | Marysville | 25.9% |
| 481 | Hamilton | 25.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tacoma ranks 510 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 507 | Rancho Cordova | 8.5% |
| 508 | Bellingham | 8.4% |
| 509 | Santa Clara | 8.2% |
| 510 | Tacoma | 8.2% |
| 511 | Edina | 8.1% |
| 512 | Huntington Beach | 8.0% |
| 513 | Aurora | 8.0% |
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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.