Government budget and revenue in Tucson, Arizona: official figures
Tucson's city government took in $1.7 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,025 for each of its 546,574 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 258th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Tucson spend and on what?
It spent $1.3 billion in the same year, $2,316 per resident, the 210th 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 (24.0%), police (13.8%) and public transit (7.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Tucson collect per resident?
Taxes raised $562.58 million ($1,029 per resident, the 268th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 40.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Tucson rely on?
Of Tucson's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 8.1%, general sales tax 75.4%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Tucson's property tax share is the 12th 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 Tucson get?
Payments from other governments made up 44.1% of Tucson's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 17.9% from the federal government ($453 per resident), 25.9% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Tucson raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $175.03 million, 12.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $267.56 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Tucson spend on police?
Tucson's city government spent $175.24 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $321 per resident (the 224th lowest of 582) and 13.8% 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 Tucson spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $95.03 million, $174 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Tucson have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Tucson's city government owed $1.0 billion in long-term debt, $1,909 per resident (the 248th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $103.66 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Tucson pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $34.25 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Tucson city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 44.9% from $2,087 to $3,025, spending per resident rose 16.8% to $2,316, taxes per resident rose 24.1% to $1,029.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Tucson 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))
Tucson ranks 446 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 443 | Chandler | $2,093 |
| 444 | Fort Worth | $2,092 |
| 445 | Dublin | $2,090 |
| 446 | Tucson | $2,087 |
| 447 | Peoria | $2,087 |
| 448 | Leander | $2,082 |
| 449 | Chapel Hill | $2,080 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 424 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 421 | Largo | $1,986 |
| 422 | Sioux Falls | $1,986 |
| 423 | Plantation | $1,985 |
| 424 | Tucson | $1,983 |
| 425 | North Richland Hills | $1,982 |
| 426 | Berwyn | $1,970 |
| 427 | Visalia | $1,970 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 481 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 478 | Paramount | $835 |
| 479 | Farmington Hills | $835 |
| 480 | Lake Forest | $833 |
| 481 | Tucson | $829 |
| 482 | Stillwater | $829 |
| 483 | Sanford | $829 |
| 484 | Ankeny | $827 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 68 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 65 | Birmingham | $528 |
| 66 | Milwaukee | $528 |
| 67 | Orange | $526 |
| 68 | Tucson | $522 |
| 69 | Pompano Beach | $522 |
| 70 | South Bend | $521 |
| 71 | Hayward | $521 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 419 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 416 | Deltona | $1,677 |
| 417 | Santa Ana | $1,676 |
| 418 | Pico Rivera | $1,668 |
| 419 | Tucson | $1,664 |
| 420 | Lexington | $1,645 |
| 421 | Battle Creek | $1,645 |
| 422 | Gallatin | $1,641 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 708 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 705 | Moore | 12.0% |
| 706 | Springfield | 11.9% |
| 707 | Cincinnati | 11.7% |
| 708 | Tucson | 11.5% |
| 709 | Lake Havasu City | 11.3% |
| 710 | Colorado Springs | 11.0% |
| 711 | Commerce City | 10.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Tucson ranks 188 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | Davis | 27.5% |
| 186 | South Bend | 27.5% |
| 187 | New York | 27.4% |
| 188 | Tucson | 27.4% |
| 189 | Wheaton | 27.4% |
| 190 | San Marcos | 27.4% |
| 191 | Green Bay | 27.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 258 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | Sacramento | $3,061 |
| 256 | Redlands | $3,051 |
| 257 | Oxnard | $3,044 |
| 258 | Tucson | $3,025 |
| 259 | Columbus | $3,021 |
| 260 | Midland | $3,005 |
| 261 | Apex | $2,992 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 373 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 370 | Jeffersonville | $2,325 |
| 371 | Topeka | $2,324 |
| 372 | Rapid City | $2,323 |
| 373 | Tucson | $2,316 |
| 374 | Greenwood | $2,313 |
| 375 | Oshkosh | $2,312 |
| 376 | Aurora | $2,300 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 315 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 312 | Concord | $1,035 |
| 313 | Oak Park | $1,030 |
| 314 | La Crosse | $1,030 |
| 315 | Tucson | $1,029 |
| 316 | Iowa City | $1,029 |
| 317 | Fayetteville | $1,026 |
| 318 | Turlock | $1,025 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 359 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 356 | Urban Honolulu | $323 |
| 357 | Victorville | $321 |
| 358 | Carmel | $321 |
| 359 | Tucson | $321 |
| 360 | Lubbock | $321 |
| 361 | Sterling Heights | $320 |
| 362 | Bellevue | $320 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 335 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | Asheville | $1,947 |
| 333 | Collierville | $1,939 |
| 334 | Casa Grande | $1,934 |
| 335 | Tucson | $1,909 |
| 336 | Ankeny | $1,905 |
| 337 | Rochester | $1,902 |
| 338 | Spokane | $1,901 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 569 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 566 | Avondale | 9.4% |
| 567 | Cleveland | 9.4% |
| 568 | Midwest City | 8.5% |
| 569 | Tucson | 8.1% |
| 570 | Parker | 7.7% |
| 571 | Canton | 7.2% |
| 572 | Mobile | 7.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Tucson ranks 54 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Manchester | 44.3% |
| 52 | Roanoke | 44.3% |
| 53 | Lake Havasu City | 44.3% |
| 54 | Tucson | 44.1% |
| 55 | Casper | 43.8% |
| 56 | Springfield | 43.1% |
| 57 | Milwaukee | 43.1% |
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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.