Government budget and revenue in Watsonville, California: official figures
Watsonville's city government took in $162.02 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,145 for each of its 51,525 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 240th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Watsonville spend and on what?
It spent $141.60 million in the same year, $2,748 per resident, the 279th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (20.4%), sewerage (12.3%) and solid waste (10.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Watsonville collect per resident?
Taxes raised $61.58 million ($1,195 per resident, the 234th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 43.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Watsonville rely on?
Of Watsonville's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 34.7%, general sales tax 23.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 11.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Watsonville's property tax share is the 152nd 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 Watsonville get?
Payments from other governments made up 7.9% of Watsonville's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 3.5% from the federal government ($95 per resident), 4.4% 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 Watsonville raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $46.80 million, 33.2% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $21.18 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Watsonville spend on police?
Watsonville's city government spent $28.83 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $560 per resident (the 73rd highest of 582) and 20.4% 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 Watsonville spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $11.90 million, $231 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Watsonville have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Watsonville's city government owed $12.63 million in long-term debt, $245 per resident (the 23rd lowest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Watsonville pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $423,000 in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 0.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Watsonville city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 24.5% from $2,526 to $3,145, spending per resident fell 58.5% to $2,748, taxes per resident rose 22.2% to $1,195.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Watsonville 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))
Watsonville ranks 326 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 323 | Madison | $2,543 |
| 324 | Tuscaloosa | $2,539 |
| 325 | Bossier City | $2,538 |
| 326 | Watsonville | $2,526 |
| 327 | Beaumont | $2,521 |
| 328 | Southfield | $2,512 |
| 329 | Little Elm | $2,510 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 32 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Philadelphia | $6,714 |
| 30 | Anchorage | $6,665 |
| 31 | Waterbury | $6,620 |
| 32 | Watsonville | $6,617 |
| 33 | Lansing | $6,600 |
| 34 | Buffalo | $6,591 |
| 35 | Springfield | $6,545 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 349 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 346 | Bend | $979 |
| 347 | Alhambra | $979 |
| 348 | Boynton Beach | $978 |
| 349 | Watsonville | $978 |
| 350 | Turlock | $977 |
| 351 | La Mesa | $976 |
| 352 | Charlotte | $975 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 85 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Detroit | $500 |
| 83 | Philadelphia | $497 |
| 84 | Union City | $496 |
| 85 | Watsonville | $494 |
| 86 | Huntington Beach | $493 |
| 87 | Scottsdale | $491 |
| 88 | Anaheim | $489 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 702 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 699 | Bonita Springs | $195 |
| 700 | Novi | $195 |
| 701 | Troy | $189 |
| 702 | Watsonville | $184 |
| 703 | Rochester Hills | $177 |
| 704 | Pinellas Park | $154 |
| 705 | Antioch | $149 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 469 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 466 | Kenner | 38.3% |
| 467 | North Port | 38.2% |
| 468 | Irvine | 38.2% |
| 469 | Watsonville | 38.1% |
| 470 | Placentia | 38.1% |
| 471 | Lincoln | 38.1% |
| 472 | Beaumont | 37.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Watsonville ranks 675 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 672 | Garland | 6.6% |
| 673 | Olympia | 6.6% |
| 674 | Rapid City | 6.5% |
| 675 | Watsonville | 6.5% |
| 676 | Chino Hills | 6.4% |
| 677 | Gulfport | 6.4% |
| 678 | Pflugerville | 6.4% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 240 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 237 | Pleasanton | $3,168 |
| 238 | Miami | $3,162 |
| 239 | Las Cruces | $3,148 |
| 240 | Watsonville | $3,145 |
| 241 | Cheyenne | $3,131 |
| 242 | Westminster | $3,129 |
| 243 | Oceanside | $3,129 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 279 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 276 | Clarksville | $2,756 |
| 277 | Lexington | $2,751 |
| 278 | Lenexa | $2,749 |
| 279 | Watsonville | $2,748 |
| 280 | Chula Vista | $2,747 |
| 281 | Irvine | $2,745 |
| 282 | Boise City | $2,745 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 234 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 231 | Wake Forest | $1,204 |
| 232 | Skokie | $1,199 |
| 233 | Frederick | $1,198 |
| 234 | Watsonville | $1,195 |
| 235 | Waukesha | $1,195 |
| 236 | Greensboro | $1,195 |
| 237 | Huntington Beach | $1,193 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 73 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Kansas City | $567 |
| 71 | Pawtucket | $566 |
| 72 | South Bend | $561 |
| 73 | Watsonville | $560 |
| 74 | Redlands | $558 |
| 75 | Birmingham | $556 |
| 76 | Whittier | $555 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 560 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 557 | Redlands | $280 |
| 558 | Passaic | $272 |
| 559 | Albany | $270 |
| 560 | Watsonville | $245 |
| 561 | Coconut Creek | $245 |
| 562 | Santee | $244 |
| 563 | Thousand Oaks | $213 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 429 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 426 | Grand Forks | 34.9% |
| 427 | Plainfield | 34.9% |
| 428 | Spokane | 34.9% |
| 429 | Watsonville | 34.7% |
| 430 | Murrieta | 34.6% |
| 431 | Millcreek | 34.5% |
| 432 | Corona | 34.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Watsonville ranks 516 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 513 | Aurora | 8.0% |
| 514 | Holly Springs | 8.0% |
| 515 | Auburn | 8.0% |
| 516 | Watsonville | 7.9% |
| 517 | Marysville | 7.9% |
| 518 | Apex | 7.8% |
| 519 | Broken Arrow | 7.8% |
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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.