Government budget and revenue in Washington, District of Columbia: official figures
Washington's city government took in $21.5 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, or $32,072 for each of its 671,803 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Washington spend and on what?
It spent $22.1 billion in the same year, $32,869 per resident, the highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were public welfare (26.4%), elementary and secondary schools (18.4%) and housing and community development (6.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Washington collect per resident?
Taxes raised $10.4 billion ($15,543 per resident, the highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 49.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Washington rely on?
Of Washington's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, property tax made up 29.5%, general sales tax 19.1%, individual income tax 30.1%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 4.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Washington's property tax share is the 120th 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 Washington get?
Payments from other governments made up 38.2% of Washington's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023: 33.4% from the federal government ($10,483 per resident), 1.8% from the state and 3.0% 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 Washington raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $1.1 billion, 5.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $297.15 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Washington spend on police?
Washington's city government spent $752.88 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, $1,121 per resident (the 3rd highest of 582) and 3.4% 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 Washington spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $287.80 million, $428 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Washington city government run the schools?
Washington's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $4.1 billion, 18.4% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Washington have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, Washington's city government owed $19.1 billion in long-term debt, $28,409 per resident (the 2nd highest of 582). During the year it issued $2.2 billion of new long-term debt and repaid $2.0 billion.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Washington pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $800.48 million in the fiscal year ended 30 September 2023, 3.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Washington city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 15.0% from $27,899 to $32,072, spending per resident rose 13.8% to $32,869, taxes per resident rose 8.2% to $15,543.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Washington 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))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $27,899 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $18,451 |
| 3 | New York | $15,132 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $14,592 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $11,741 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $9,717 |
| 7 | Santa Monica | $8,672 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $28,881 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $19,918 |
| 3 | New York | $17,135 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $13,664 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $12,087 |
| 6 | Palo Alto | $11,900 |
| 7 | Santa Clara | $10,842 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $14,365 |
| 2 | New York | $8,414 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $6,777 |
| 4 | Newton | $4,982 |
| 5 | Miami Beach | $4,949 |
| 6 | Cambridge | $4,761 |
| 7 | Stamford | $4,634 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | La Habra | $1,230 |
| 4 | Santa Monica | $1,079 |
| 5 | Corona | $956 |
| 6 | Washington | $943 |
| 7 | San Francisco | $890 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $870 |
| 9 | Newport Beach | $860 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $26,603 |
| 2 | Washington | $25,936 |
| 3 | Salt Lake City | $20,122 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $16,205 |
| 5 | New York | $15,407 |
| 6 | Atlanta | $15,138 |
| 7 | San Mateo | $14,778 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 562 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 559 | Overland Park | 29.2% |
| 560 | Little Rock | 29.1% |
| 561 | Merced | 29.1% |
| 562 | Washington | 29.0% |
| 563 | Sioux Falls | 28.8% |
| 564 | Rio Rancho | 28.6% |
| 565 | Chico | 28.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Washington ranks 91 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | Jonesboro | 37.5% |
| 89 | Valdosta | 37.3% |
| 90 | Lansing | 37.2% |
| 91 | Washington | 36.8% |
| 92 | Southaven | 36.2% |
| 93 | Columbus | 36.0% |
| 94 | Richmond | 35.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,072 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $22,501 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $16,285 |
| 4 | New York | $15,337 |
| 5 | Gulfport | $13,483 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $11,999 |
| 7 | Miami Beach | $11,537 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $32,869 |
| 2 | San Francisco | $27,288 |
| 3 | New York | $18,485 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $17,034 |
| 5 | Palo Alto | $13,262 |
| 6 | Santa Clara | $12,680 |
| 7 | Gulfport | $12,337 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $15,543 |
| 2 | New York | $8,779 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $7,550 |
| 4 | Miami Beach | $6,514 |
| 5 | Cambridge | $5,575 |
| 6 | Boston | $5,508 |
| 7 | Newton | $5,294 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Beach | $1,776 |
| 2 | Santa Monica | $1,337 |
| 3 | Washington | $1,121 |
| 4 | San Francisco | $1,072 |
| 5 | Cleveland | $1,065 |
| 6 | Lafayette | $1,029 |
| 7 | Newport Beach | $954 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $31,933 |
| 2 | Washington | $28,409 |
| 3 | Atlanta | $17,934 |
| 4 | New York | $16,465 |
| 5 | Nashville | $16,121 |
| 6 | Miami Beach | $15,675 |
| 7 | Lansing | $14,340 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 461 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 458 | Baton Rouge | 30.2% |
| 459 | Maricopa | 30.0% |
| 460 | Everett | 29.7% |
| 461 | Washington | 29.5% |
| 462 | Vallejo | 29.5% |
| 463 | Modesto | 29.2% |
| 464 | Sioux Falls | 29.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Washington ranks 79 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Santa Ana | 39.3% |
| 77 | Southaven | 38.8% |
| 78 | Racine | 38.7% |
| 79 | Washington | 38.2% |
| 80 | Battle Creek | 38.2% |
| 81 | Jonesboro | 38.0% |
| 82 | Flagstaff | 37.8% |
More on Washington: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
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.