Government budget and revenue in Waterloo, Iowa: official figures
Waterloo's city government took in $183.85 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,762 for each of its 66,562 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 277th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Waterloo spend and on what?
It spent $214.89 million in the same year, $3,228 per resident, the 215th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were roads and highways (11.0%), police (10.5%) and sewerage (8.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Waterloo collect per resident?
Taxes raised $83.26 million ($1,251 per resident, the 216th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 48.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Waterloo rely on?
Of Waterloo's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 70.9%, general sales tax 16.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 10.5%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Waterloo's property tax share is the 166th 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 Waterloo get?
Payments from other governments made up 19.8% of Waterloo's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 9.8% from the federal government ($254 per resident), 9.8% 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 Waterloo raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $37.98 million, 22.1% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $11.79 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Waterloo spend on police?
Waterloo's city government spent $22.55 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $339 per resident (the 258th lowest of 582) and 10.5% 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 Waterloo spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $14.20 million, $213 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Waterloo have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Waterloo's city government owed $182.07 million in long-term debt, $2,735 per resident (the 230th highest of 582). During the year it issued $44.78 million of new long-term debt and repaid $18.85 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Waterloo pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $3.95 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Waterloo city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 2.4% from $2,698 to $2,762, spending per resident rose 12.1% to $3,228, taxes per resident rose 7.7% to $1,251.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Waterloo 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))
Waterloo ranks 286 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 283 | Lafayette | $2,713 |
| 284 | Dearborn | $2,702 |
| 285 | Carmel | $2,700 |
| 286 | Waterloo | $2,698 |
| 287 | Lancaster | $2,698 |
| 288 | Lenexa | $2,697 |
| 289 | Las Cruces | $2,697 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo ranks 244 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 241 | Westland | $2,886 |
| 242 | Gastonia | $2,882 |
| 243 | Columbia | $2,881 |
| 244 | Waterloo | $2,881 |
| 245 | Kalamazoo | $2,861 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
| 247 | Cincinnati | $2,823 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo ranks 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Dearborn | $1,171 |
| 244 | Amarillo | $1,168 |
| 245 | Mount Pleasant | $1,166 |
| 246 | Waterloo | $1,161 |
| 247 | San Buenaventura (Ventura) | $1,160 |
| 248 | Compton | $1,158 |
| 249 | Paterson | $1,158 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo ranks 413 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 410 | Simi Valley | $300 |
| 411 | Tulare | $299 |
| 412 | St. Cloud | $298 |
| 413 | Waterloo | $298 |
| 414 | Coeur d'Alene | $298 |
| 415 | Santee | $298 |
| 416 | Huntington Park | $297 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo ranks 304 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 301 | Grand Junction | $2,369 |
| 302 | Albuquerque | $2,365 |
| 303 | Everett | $2,364 |
| 304 | Waterloo | $2,352 |
| 305 | Doral | $2,350 |
| 306 | Racine | $2,346 |
| 307 | Conway | $2,343 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo 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 | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | Garland | 69.5% |
| 186 | Jeffersonville | 69.1% |
| 187 | Ames | 69.0% |
| 188 | Waterloo | 68.9% |
| 189 | Salem | 68.9% |
| 190 | Bowie | 68.6% |
| 191 | Smyrna | 68.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waterloo ranks 167 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 164 | Prescott Valley | 28.9% |
| 165 | Fort Smith | 28.8% |
| 166 | Savannah | 28.7% |
| 167 | Waterloo | 28.7% |
| 168 | Rogers | 28.5% |
| 169 | Smyrna | 28.5% |
| 170 | San Ramon | 28.5% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 306 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 303 | Corpus Christi | $2,770 |
| 304 | Fresno | $2,769 |
| 305 | Raleigh | $2,767 |
| 306 | Waterloo | $2,762 |
| 307 | Council Bluffs | $2,759 |
| 308 | Thornton | $2,758 |
| 309 | Bloomington | $2,758 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 215 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 212 | Riverside | $3,278 |
| 213 | Asheville | $3,258 |
| 214 | Jonesboro | $3,242 |
| 215 | Waterloo | $3,228 |
| 216 | Bowling Green | $3,220 |
| 217 | Colton | $3,215 |
| 218 | Edina | $3,212 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 216 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 213 | Joplin | $1,258 |
| 214 | Chattanooga | $1,257 |
| 215 | Charlotte | $1,254 |
| 216 | Waterloo | $1,251 |
| 217 | Oxnard | $1,250 |
| 218 | Sacramento | $1,248 |
| 219 | Burleson | $1,237 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 325 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 322 | Rancho Cucamonga | $342 |
| 323 | La Habra | $341 |
| 324 | Sanford | $340 |
| 325 | Waterloo | $339 |
| 326 | Hampton | $339 |
| 327 | New Haven | $339 |
| 328 | Montgomery | $339 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 230 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | Leander | $2,755 |
| 228 | Palatine | $2,751 |
| 229 | Berkeley | $2,738 |
| 230 | Waterloo | $2,735 |
| 231 | Wilmington | $2,719 |
| 232 | Bismarck | $2,718 |
| 233 | Greenville | $2,716 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 166 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 163 | Miami | 71.5% |
| 164 | Rochester | 71.3% |
| 165 | Minneapolis | 71.0% |
| 166 | Waterloo | 70.9% |
| 167 | Palatine | 70.8% |
| 168 | Mooresville | 70.7% |
| 169 | Smyrna | 70.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waterloo ranks 267 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 264 | Cedar Rapids | 20.0% |
| 265 | Cambridge | 20.0% |
| 266 | Santa Clarita | 19.8% |
| 267 | Waterloo | 19.8% |
| 268 | Lynwood | 19.8% |
| 269 | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 19.6% |
| 270 | Tuscaloosa | 19.5% |
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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.