Government budget and revenue in Vancouver, Washington: official figures
Vancouver's city government took in $573.82 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,950 for each of its 194,512 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 269th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Vancouver spend and on what?
It spent $472.96 million in the same year, $2,432 per resident, the 234th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (20.2%), sewerage (15.7%) and the water utility (15.1%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Vancouver collect per resident?
Taxes raised $280.29 million ($1,441 per resident, the 151st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 54.0% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Vancouver rely on?
Of Vancouver's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 28.4%, general sales tax 33.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 25.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Vancouver's property tax share is the 113th 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 Vancouver get?
Payments from other governments made up 10.4% of Vancouver's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 5.5% from the federal government ($148 per resident), 3.9% from the state and 1.0% 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 Vancouver raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $144.89 million, 27.9% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $54.36 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Vancouver spend on police?
Vancouver's city government spent $95.36 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $490 per resident (the 129th highest of 582) and 20.2% 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 Vancouver spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $69.28 million, $356 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Vancouver have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Vancouver's city government owed $164.48 million in long-term debt, $846 per resident (the 108th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $6.72 million of new long-term debt and repaid $19.05 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Vancouver pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.68 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 0.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Vancouver city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 18.8% from $2,483 to $2,950, spending per resident rose 42.0% to $2,432, taxes per resident rose 13.9% to $1,441.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Vancouver 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))
Vancouver ranks 334 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 331 | Apex | $2,503 |
| 332 | Columbus | $2,497 |
| 333 | Greeley | $2,491 |
| 334 | Vancouver | $2,483 |
| 335 | Minneapolis | $2,478 |
| 336 | Santa Rosa | $2,473 |
| 337 | Cape Coral | $2,470 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 519 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 516 | West Allis | $1,723 |
| 517 | Kenner | $1,722 |
| 518 | South Gate | $1,717 |
| 519 | Vancouver | $1,713 |
| 520 | Wake Forest | $1,712 |
| 521 | Rockville | $1,708 |
| 522 | Springdale | $1,706 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 205 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 202 | Beaumont | $1,269 |
| 203 | Lee's Summit | $1,267 |
| 204 | Livermore | $1,266 |
| 205 | Vancouver | $1,265 |
| 206 | Plainfield | $1,262 |
| 207 | North Charleston | $1,261 |
| 208 | Gardena | $1,256 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 375 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 372 | San Antonio | $314 |
| 373 | Greenville | $314 |
| 374 | Bossier City | $313 |
| 375 | Vancouver | $312 |
| 376 | Santa Fe | $312 |
| 377 | Caldwell | $312 |
| 378 | North Las Vegas | $311 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 632 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 629 | Merced | $595 |
| 630 | Fullerton | $586 |
| 631 | Erie | $584 |
| 632 | Vancouver | $582 |
| 633 | Lee's Summit | $575 |
| 634 | Plainfield | $574 |
| 635 | Palm Beach Gardens | $559 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 606 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 603 | Concord | 25.3% |
| 604 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 25.2% |
| 605 | Modesto | 25.0% |
| 606 | Vancouver | 24.9% |
| 607 | Westminster | 24.8% |
| 608 | Torrance | 24.7% |
| 609 | Amarillo | 24.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Vancouver ranks 694 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 691 | Commerce City | 5.6% |
| 692 | Lincoln | 5.6% |
| 693 | Placentia | 5.5% |
| 694 | Vancouver | 5.4% |
| 695 | Lehi | 5.4% |
| 696 | Brentwood | 5.4% |
| 697 | Alameda | 5.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 269 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 266 | Sioux City | $2,970 |
| 267 | West Haven | $2,959 |
| 268 | Bossier City | $2,953 |
| 269 | Vancouver | $2,950 |
| 270 | St. Petersburg | $2,948 |
| 271 | Augusta | $2,927 |
| 272 | Waukesha | $2,913 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 349 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 346 | Albany | $2,447 |
| 347 | Berwyn | $2,439 |
| 348 | Carmel | $2,432 |
| 349 | Vancouver | $2,432 |
| 350 | Laredo | $2,430 |
| 351 | Milwaukee | $2,426 |
| 352 | Mount Pleasant | $2,424 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 151 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 148 | Kirkland | $1,449 |
| 149 | Sioux Falls | $1,445 |
| 150 | Tuscaloosa | $1,443 |
| 151 | Vancouver | $1,441 |
| 152 | Redlands | $1,440 |
| 153 | Sunnyvale | $1,433 |
| 154 | Jersey City | $1,425 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 129 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 126 | San Leandro | $492 |
| 127 | Pompano Beach | $491 |
| 128 | San Diego | $491 |
| 129 | Vancouver | $490 |
| 130 | Coconut Creek | $490 |
| 131 | Lakeland | $490 |
| 132 | Worcester | $490 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 475 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 472 | Mission Viejo | $847 |
| 473 | Summerville | $846 |
| 474 | Cheyenne | $846 |
| 475 | Vancouver | $846 |
| 476 | Miami Gardens | $841 |
| 477 | Kirkland | $832 |
| 478 | Harlingen | $823 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 468 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 465 | Auburn | 29.1% |
| 466 | Ontario | 29.0% |
| 467 | Fairfield | 28.7% |
| 468 | Vancouver | 28.4% |
| 469 | Rapid City | 28.3% |
| 470 | South Gate | 27.9% |
| 471 | Whittier | 27.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Vancouver ranks 454 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 451 | Greeley | 10.6% |
| 452 | Dallas | 10.5% |
| 453 | Redlands | 10.5% |
| 454 | Vancouver | 10.4% |
| 455 | Bothell | 10.4% |
| 456 | Parker | 10.4% |
| 457 | Lake Forest | 10.3% |
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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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