Government budget and revenue in Topeka, Kansas: official figures
Topeka's city government took in $430.12 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $3,429 for each of its 125,449 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 208th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Topeka spend and on what?
It spent $291.53 million in the same year, $2,324 per resident, the 212th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (22.6%), sewerage (18.5%) and police (15.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Topeka collect per resident?
Taxes raised $159.85 million ($1,274 per resident, the 206th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 47.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Topeka rely on?
Of Topeka's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 36.6%, general sales tax 45.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Topeka's property tax share is the 166th 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 Topeka get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.0% of Topeka's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 8.9% from the federal government ($240 per resident), 3.4% from the state and 0.7% 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 Topeka raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $93.26 million, 27.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $93.21 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Topeka spend on police?
Topeka's city government spent $44.44 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $354 per resident (the 277th lowest of 582) and 15.2% 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 Topeka spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $37.88 million, $302 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Topeka have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Topeka's city government owed $529.90 million in long-term debt, $4,224 per resident (the 120th highest of 582). During the year it issued $85.00 million of new long-term debt and repaid $10.00 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Topeka pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $18.20 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 6.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Topeka city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 32.9% from $2,580 to $3,429, spending per resident rose 33.9% to $2,324, taxes per resident rose 15.7% to $1,274.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Topeka 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))
Topeka ranks 315 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 312 | Bothell | $2,596 |
| 313 | Richardson | $2,587 |
| 314 | Encinitas | $2,584 |
| 315 | Topeka | $2,580 |
| 316 | Plainfield | $2,579 |
| 317 | Pleasanton | $2,576 |
| 318 | Queen Creek | $2,562 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 513 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Pittsburg | $1,739 |
| 511 | Yuba City | $1,736 |
| 512 | San Leandro | $1,735 |
| 513 | Topeka | $1,735 |
| 514 | Hempstead | $1,729 |
| 515 | Stockton | $1,726 |
| 516 | West Allis | $1,723 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 282 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Carrollton | $1,108 |
| 280 | Norman | $1,107 |
| 281 | Kent | $1,103 |
| 282 | Topeka | $1,102 |
| 283 | Grand Prairie | $1,099 |
| 284 | Bloomington | $1,098 |
| 285 | Clifton | $1,098 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 379 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 376 | Santa Fe | $312 |
| 377 | Caldwell | $312 |
| 378 | North Las Vegas | $311 |
| 379 | Topeka | $311 |
| 380 | Collierville | $310 |
| 381 | West Haven | $310 |
| 382 | Chico | $309 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 165 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 162 | Tulare | $3,636 |
| 163 | Chino | $3,629 |
| 164 | Lafayette | $3,628 |
| 165 | Topeka | $3,627 |
| 166 | Santa Clara | $3,616 |
| 167 | Oklahoma City | $3,615 |
| 168 | Newport News | $3,584 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 485 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 482 | Olathe | 37.0% |
| 483 | Chino | 37.0% |
| 484 | Richmond | 36.6% |
| 485 | Topeka | 36.6% |
| 486 | Arcadia | 36.5% |
| 487 | Dunwoody | 36.5% |
| 488 | Fresno | 36.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Topeka ranks 623 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 620 | Woodbury | 8.7% |
| 621 | St. Louis Park | 8.7% |
| 622 | Huntsville | 8.6% |
| 623 | Topeka | 8.6% |
| 624 | Aurora | 8.6% |
| 625 | Carson City | 8.6% |
| 626 | West Sacramento | 8.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 208 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Des Moines | $3,487 |
| 206 | Fayetteville | $3,465 |
| 207 | Boulder | $3,447 |
| 208 | Topeka | $3,429 |
| 209 | North Port | $3,428 |
| 210 | Waco | $3,420 |
| 211 | South Bend | $3,390 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 371 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 368 | Bothell | $2,333 |
| 369 | Moreno Valley | $2,331 |
| 370 | Jeffersonville | $2,325 |
| 371 | Topeka | $2,324 |
| 372 | Rapid City | $2,323 |
| 373 | Tucson | $2,316 |
| 374 | Greenwood | $2,313 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 206 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 203 | Sherman | $1,291 |
| 204 | Fremont | $1,278 |
| 205 | Amarillo | $1,277 |
| 206 | Topeka | $1,274 |
| 207 | Buckeye | $1,273 |
| 208 | Jeffersonville | $1,273 |
| 209 | Carrollton | $1,270 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 306 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | Turlock | $356 |
| 304 | Euless | $355 |
| 305 | Mooresville | $355 |
| 306 | Topeka | $354 |
| 307 | Normal | $350 |
| 308 | Oklahoma City | $349 |
| 309 | Waco | $349 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 120 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 117 | Richardson | $4,266 |
| 118 | San Diego | $4,266 |
| 119 | Kissimmee | $4,251 |
| 120 | Topeka | $4,224 |
| 121 | Somerville | $4,222 |
| 122 | West Palm Beach | $4,219 |
| 123 | Norman | $4,170 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 415 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 412 | Redding | 36.7% |
| 413 | Vacaville | 36.7% |
| 414 | Grand Rapids | 36.7% |
| 415 | Topeka | 36.6% |
| 416 | Gallatin | 36.5% |
| 417 | Seattle | 36.5% |
| 418 | Mount Pleasant | 36.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Topeka ranks 391 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 388 | Los Angeles | 13.1% |
| 389 | Davie | 13.0% |
| 390 | El Paso | 13.0% |
| 391 | Topeka | 13.0% |
| 392 | Kent | 13.0% |
| 393 | Wake Forest | 13.0% |
| 394 | Miramar | 13.0% |
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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.