Government budget and revenue in Wake Forest, North Carolina: official figures
Wake Forest's city government took in $112.06 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,192 for each of its 51,113 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 144th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Wake Forest spend and on what?
It spent $111.53 million in the same year, $2,182 per resident, the 174th lowest 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 (22.5%), police (15.0%) and fire protection (12.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Wake Forest collect per resident?
Taxes raised $61.54 million ($1,204 per resident, the 231st highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 70.1% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Wake Forest rely on?
Of Wake Forest's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 65.3%, general sales tax 28.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Wake Forest's property tax share is the 207th 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 Wake Forest get?
Payments from other governments made up 13.0% of Wake Forest's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 13.0% 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 Wake Forest raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $5.74 million, 6.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $24.22 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Wake Forest spend on police?
Wake Forest's city government spent $16.74 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $328 per resident (the 235th lowest of 582) and 15.0% 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 Wake Forest spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $14.07 million, $275 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Wake Forest have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Wake Forest's city government owed $33.94 million in long-term debt, $664 per resident (the 88th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $5.50 million of new long-term debt and repaid $5.22 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Wake Forest pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.22 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.1% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Wake Forest city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 7.7% from $2,036 to $2,192, spending per resident rose 27.5% to $2,182, taxes per resident rose 4.0% to $1,204.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Wake Forest 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))
Wake Forest ranks 461 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 458 | Parker | $2,040 |
| 459 | Rockville | $2,039 |
| 460 | Winston-Salem | $2,037 |
| 461 | Wake Forest | $2,036 |
| 462 | Kannapolis | $2,036 |
| 463 | Enid | $2,033 |
| 464 | Burleson | $2,033 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 520 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 523 | Compton | $1,696 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 250 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 247 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $1,160 |
| 248 | Compton | $1,158 |
| 249 | Paterson | $1,158 |
| 250 | Wake Forest | $1,157 |
| 251 | Montgomery | $1,157 |
| 252 | Chapel Hill | $1,153 |
| 253 | Woodland | $1,152 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 394 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | Plainfield | $306 |
| 392 | Kenosha | $306 |
| 393 | Peoria | $306 |
| 394 | Wake Forest | $305 |
| 395 | Naperville | $305 |
| 396 | Plainfield | $305 |
| 397 | Marietta | $305 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 577 | Baldwin Park | $837 |
| 578 | Allentown | $835 |
| 579 | East Orange | $824 |
| 580 | Wake Forest | $822 |
| 581 | Las Vegas | $803 |
| 582 | Kirkland | $802 |
| 583 | Simi Valley | $800 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 220 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 217 | Columbus | 65.4% |
| 218 | Oak Park | 65.0% |
| 219 | Davie | 65.0% |
| 220 | Wake Forest | 64.9% |
| 221 | Holly Springs | 64.7% |
| 222 | Cary | 64.5% |
| 223 | Miramar | 64.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wake Forest ranks 518 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 515 | St. Cloud | 12.3% |
| 516 | Bend | 12.2% |
| 517 | Fort Worth | 12.2% |
| 518 | Wake Forest | 12.1% |
| 519 | Gaithersburg | 12.1% |
| 520 | Lakewood | 12.1% |
| 521 | Ocala | 12.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 439 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 436 | Mesa | $2,207 |
| 437 | Troy | $2,202 |
| 438 | Camarillo | $2,201 |
| 439 | Wake Forest | $2,192 |
| 440 | North Miami | $2,192 |
| 441 | Irvine | $2,175 |
| 442 | Coeur d'Alene | $2,169 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 409 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 406 | Modesto | $2,195 |
| 407 | Erie | $2,189 |
| 408 | Lauderhill | $2,189 |
| 409 | Wake Forest | $2,182 |
| 410 | Henderson | $2,178 |
| 411 | Little Elm | $2,177 |
| 412 | Alpharetta | $2,173 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 231 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 228 | Tinley Park | $1,209 |
| 229 | Mount Pleasant | $1,208 |
| 230 | Cary | $1,204 |
| 231 | Wake Forest | $1,204 |
| 232 | Skokie | $1,199 |
| 233 | Frederick | $1,198 |
| 234 | Watsonville | $1,195 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 348 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Arlington | $328 |
| 346 | Salem | $328 |
| 347 | Anderson | $328 |
| 348 | Wake Forest | $328 |
| 349 | Waukesha | $327 |
| 350 | Harrisonburg | $327 |
| 351 | Fort Wayne | $325 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 495 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 492 | Jonesboro | $687 |
| 493 | Boise City | $674 |
| 494 | Dearborn Heights | $665 |
| 495 | Wake Forest | $664 |
| 496 | Visalia | $662 |
| 497 | Pleasanton | $662 |
| 498 | Trenton | $661 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 207 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 204 | Lansing | 66.0% |
| 205 | Coconut Creek | 65.9% |
| 206 | Columbus | 65.5% |
| 207 | Wake Forest | 65.3% |
| 208 | Bellevue | 65.3% |
| 209 | Pleasanton | 65.1% |
| 210 | Deerfield Beach | 65.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wake Forest ranks 393 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 390 | El Paso | 13.0% |
| 391 | Topeka | 13.0% |
| 392 | Kent | 13.0% |
| 393 | Wake Forest | 13.0% |
| 394 | Miramar | 13.0% |
| 395 | Meridian | 12.9% |
| 396 | Bloomington | 12.9% |
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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.