Government budget and revenue in Virginia Beach, Virginia: official figures
Virginia Beach's city government took in $2.4 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,188 for each of its 455,618 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 93rd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Virginia Beach spend and on what?
It spent $2.6 billion in the same year, $5,746 per resident, the 85th 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 (42.0%), roads and highways (6.0%) and police (5.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Virginia Beach collect per resident?
Taxes raised $1.3 billion ($2,822 per resident, the 27th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 56.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Virginia Beach rely on?
Of Virginia Beach's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 70.2%, general sales tax 7.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 15.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Virginia Beach's property tax share is the 170th 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 Virginia Beach get?
Payments from other governments made up 28.8% of Virginia Beach's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 1.8% from the federal government ($89 per resident), 26.0% 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 Virginia Beach raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $245.23 million, 10.7% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $72.91 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Virginia Beach spend on police?
Virginia Beach's city government spent $137.03 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $301 per resident (the 189th lowest of 582) and 5.2% 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 Virginia Beach spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $111.50 million, $245 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Virginia Beach city government run the schools?
Virginia Beach's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $1.1 billion, 42.0% 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 Virginia Beach have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Virginia Beach's city government owed $1.7 billion in long-term debt, $3,759 per resident (the 145th highest of 582). During the year it issued $398.15 million of new long-term debt and repaid $111.34 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Virginia Beach pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $30.95 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Virginia Beach city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 9.0% from $4,759 to $5,188, spending per resident rose 16.8% to $5,746, taxes per resident rose 11.5% to $2,822.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Virginia Beach 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))
Virginia Beach ranks 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Decatur | $4,849 |
| 90 | Warwick | $4,804 |
| 91 | Berkeley | $4,782 |
| 92 | Virginia Beach | $4,759 |
| 93 | Hampton | $4,699 |
| 94 | Chesapeake | $4,688 |
| 95 | Jacksonville | $4,684 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 96 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 93 | Fall River | $4,987 |
| 94 | West New York | $4,967 |
| 95 | Nashua | $4,926 |
| 96 | Virginia Beach | $4,920 |
| 97 | Chesapeake | $4,917 |
| 98 | Bayonne | $4,908 |
| 99 | Warwick | $4,893 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Yonkers | $2,574 |
| 33 | Newport Beach | $2,545 |
| 34 | Anchorage | $2,542 |
| 35 | Virginia Beach | $2,531 |
| 36 | Hartford | $2,501 |
| 37 | Waterbury | $2,486 |
| 38 | Oakland | $2,431 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 521 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 518 | Boise City | $258 |
| 519 | Rapid City | $258 |
| 520 | Logan | $257 |
| 521 | Virginia Beach | $257 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $256 |
| 523 | Columbus | $256 |
| 524 | St. Peters | $255 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 198 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 195 | Pomona | $3,260 |
| 196 | Chicopee | $3,254 |
| 197 | Tulsa | $3,238 |
| 198 | Virginia Beach | $3,225 |
| 199 | San Luis Obispo | $3,196 |
| 200 | Ames | $3,183 |
| 201 | Longmont | $3,178 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 196 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 193 | Wylie | 68.3% |
| 194 | Coconut Creek | 68.2% |
| 195 | Pompano Beach | 68.0% |
| 196 | Virginia Beach | 67.8% |
| 197 | Encinitas | 67.7% |
| 198 | Ocala | 67.6% |
| 199 | St. Petersburg | 67.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Virginia Beach ranks 131 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 128 | Appleton | 32.3% |
| 129 | St. Paul | 32.3% |
| 130 | Noblesville | 32.3% |
| 131 | Virginia Beach | 32.2% |
| 132 | Lauderhill | 32.0% |
| 133 | Wyoming | 31.9% |
| 134 | Fayetteville | 31.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 93 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Pensacola | $5,308 |
| 91 | Newport Beach | $5,205 |
| 92 | Detroit | $5,193 |
| 93 | Virginia Beach | $5,188 |
| 94 | Quincy | $5,174 |
| 95 | Denton | $5,149 |
| 96 | Redding | $5,145 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 85 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Chicago | $5,825 |
| 83 | Hampton | $5,824 |
| 84 | Warwick | $5,747 |
| 85 | Virginia Beach | $5,746 |
| 86 | Manchester | $5,728 |
| 87 | Huntsville | $5,680 |
| 88 | Marietta | $5,643 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Warwick | $2,996 |
| 25 | Grapevine | $2,911 |
| 26 | Newport Beach | $2,882 |
| 27 | Virginia Beach | $2,822 |
| 28 | Birmingham | $2,814 |
| 29 | Suffolk | $2,789 |
| 30 | Nashua | $2,777 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 394 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | Dubuque | $302 |
| 392 | Corpus Christi | $301 |
| 393 | Wichita | $301 |
| 394 | Virginia Beach | $301 |
| 395 | Bend | $301 |
| 396 | Conroe | $301 |
| 397 | Raleigh | $300 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 145 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 142 | Appleton | $3,788 |
| 143 | Laredo | $3,764 |
| 144 | Newton | $3,763 |
| 145 | Virginia Beach | $3,759 |
| 146 | Des Plaines | $3,731 |
| 147 | Broken Arrow | $3,711 |
| 148 | Taunton | $3,701 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 170 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | Palatine | 70.8% |
| 168 | Mooresville | 70.7% |
| 169 | Smyrna | 70.5% |
| 170 | Virginia Beach | 70.2% |
| 171 | Bloomington | 70.1% |
| 172 | Kingsport | 69.9% |
| 173 | Kannapolis | 69.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Virginia Beach ranks 154 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 151 | Kenosha | 29.1% |
| 152 | Grand Forks | 28.9% |
| 153 | Redding | 28.8% |
| 154 | Virginia Beach | 28.8% |
| 155 | Alpharetta | 28.5% |
| 156 | Pittsburg | 28.4% |
| 157 | Weymouth Town | 28.4% |
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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.