Government budget and revenue in Waukesha, Wisconsin: official figures
Waukesha's city government took in $205.24 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,913 for each of its 70,454 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 272nd highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Waukesha spend and on what?
It spent $317.61 million in the same year, $4,508 per resident, the 130th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were the water utility (43.1%), roads and highways (8.0%) and police (7.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Waukesha collect per resident?
Taxes raised $84.17 million ($1,195 per resident, the 235th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 47.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Waukesha rely on?
Of Waukesha's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 94.6%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 1.2%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Waukesha's property tax share is the 62nd 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 Waukesha get?
Payments from other governments made up 19.0% of Waukesha's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 3.7% from the federal government ($93 per resident), 10.6% from the state and 4.7% 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 Waukesha raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.20 million, 20.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $28.15 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Waukesha spend on police?
Waukesha's city government spent $23.05 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $327 per resident (the 234th lowest of 582) and 7.3% 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 Waukesha spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $17.32 million, $246 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Waukesha have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Waukesha's city government owed $733.80 million in long-term debt, $10,415 per resident (the 15th highest of 582). During the year it issued $127.02 million of new long-term debt and repaid $64.42 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Waukesha pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $17.29 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 5.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Waukesha city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 33.6% from $2,181 to $2,913, spending per resident rose 59.9% to $4,508, taxes per resident rose 12.7% to $1,195.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Waukesha 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))
Waukesha ranks 415 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 412 | Albuquerque | $2,185 |
| 413 | Tamarac | $2,183 |
| 414 | Corvallis | $2,182 |
| 415 | Waukesha | $2,181 |
| 416 | Sanford | $2,181 |
| 417 | Cupertino | $2,177 |
| 418 | Alpharetta | $2,174 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 248 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Kalamazoo | $2,861 |
| 246 | Brownsville | $2,825 |
| 247 | Cincinnati | $2,823 |
| 248 | Waukesha | $2,819 |
| 249 | Evanston | $2,794 |
| 250 | Stillwater | $2,787 |
| 251 | Miami | $2,780 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 303 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Oak Park | $1,063 |
| 301 | Ocala | $1,062 |
| 302 | Bentonville | $1,061 |
| 303 | Waukesha | $1,060 |
| 304 | Salinas | $1,059 |
| 305 | Omaha | $1,054 |
| 306 | Murfreesboro | $1,053 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 190 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 187 | Schaumburg | $405 |
| 188 | Pembroke Pines | $404 |
| 189 | Peoria | $404 |
| 190 | Waukesha | $404 |
| 191 | Stamford | $404 |
| 192 | Hammond | $403 |
| 193 | Union City | $403 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 19 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Los Angeles | $9,401 |
| 17 | Kansas City | $9,151 |
| 18 | Quincy | $9,035 |
| 19 | Waukesha | $8,895 |
| 20 | Baton Rouge | $8,842 |
| 21 | Chicago | $8,649 |
| 22 | Tacoma | $8,614 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 79 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Warren | 94.0% |
| 77 | Muncie | 94.0% |
| 78 | New Haven | 93.9% |
| 79 | Waukesha | 93.9% |
| 80 | Peabody | 93.9% |
| 81 | Anderson | 93.8% |
| 82 | Jersey City | 93.6% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Waukesha ranks 335 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 332 | Alexandria | 19.0% |
| 333 | Santa Clarita | 19.0% |
| 334 | Albany | 19.0% |
| 335 | Waukesha | 18.9% |
| 336 | Buena Park | 18.8% |
| 337 | Charlotte | 18.8% |
| 338 | Greensboro | 18.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 272 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 269 | Vancouver | $2,950 |
| 270 | St. Petersburg | $2,948 |
| 271 | Augusta | $2,927 |
| 272 | Waukesha | $2,913 |
| 273 | Dubuque | $2,911 |
| 274 | Oak Lawn | $2,909 |
| 275 | Boynton Beach | $2,908 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 130 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 127 | Fort Pierce | $4,562 |
| 128 | Boca Raton | $4,543 |
| 129 | Weymouth Town | $4,534 |
| 130 | Waukesha | $4,508 |
| 131 | Glendale | $4,468 |
| 132 | Kansas City | $4,426 |
| 133 | Newport Beach | $4,409 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 235 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 238 | Fort Worth | $1,191 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 349 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 346 | Salem | $328 |
| 347 | Anderson | $328 |
| 348 | Wake Forest | $328 |
| 349 | Waukesha | $327 |
| 350 | Harrisonburg | $327 |
| 351 | Fort Wayne | $325 |
| 352 | Lenexa | $325 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Springfield | $11,472 |
| 13 | Alexandria | $10,616 |
| 14 | Quincy | $10,437 |
| 15 | Waukesha | $10,415 |
| 16 | Chicago | $10,324 |
| 17 | Los Angeles | $10,297 |
| 18 | Owensboro | $10,008 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Green Bay | 95.2% |
| 60 | Dearborn Heights | 95.1% |
| 61 | Muncie | 94.6% |
| 62 | Waukesha | 94.6% |
| 63 | Eagan | 94.6% |
| 64 | Stamford | 94.5% |
| 65 | Jersey City | 94.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Waukesha ranks 282 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 279 | Marietta | 19.1% |
| 280 | Raleigh | 19.0% |
| 281 | Melbourne | 19.0% |
| 282 | Waukesha | 19.0% |
| 283 | Miami | 18.9% |
| 284 | Bozeman | 18.9% |
| 285 | St. Clair Shores | 18.9% |
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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.