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Government budget and revenue in West Des Moines, Iowa: official figures

West Des Moines' city government took in $220.10 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $3,111 for each of its 70,741 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 248th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.

City government revenue per resident
$3,111
2024
City government spending per resident
$2,282
2024
City long-term debt per resident
$4,495
2024

How much does West Des Moines spend and on what?

It spent $161.41 million in the same year, $2,282 per resident, the 203rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (13.0%), police (10.6%) and the water utility (9.8%) of the total.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much tax does West Des Moines collect per resident?

Taxes raised $133.45 million ($1,886 per resident, the 85th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 66.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

What taxes does West Des Moines rely on?

Of West Des Moines' tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 75.4%, general sales tax 11.9%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 5.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; West Des Moines' property tax share is the 141st highest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much federal and state money does West Des Moines get?

Payments from other governments made up 7.5% of West Des Moines' city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 0.6% from the federal government ($16 per resident), 6.9% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does West Des Moines raise from fees and utilities?

Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $36.88 million, 18.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $18.64 million.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does West Des Moines spend on police?

West Des Moines' city government spent $17.12 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $242 per resident (the 83rd lowest of 582) and 10.6% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does West Des Moines spend on fire protection?

Fire protection cost $12.41 million, $175 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much debt does West Des Moines have?

At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, West Des Moines' city government owed $318.00 million in long-term debt, $4,495 per resident (the 105th highest of 582). During the year it issued $22.07 million of new long-term debt and repaid $36.35 million.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How much does West Des Moines pay in interest on its debt?

Interest on debt cost $12.27 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 7.6% of total spending.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How has the West Des Moines city budget changed?

Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 3.9% from $2,994 to $3,111, spending per resident rose 14.2% to $2,282, taxes per resident rose 20.3% to $1,886.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How West Des Moines 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))

West Des Moines ranks 230 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.

RankCityCity government total revenue per resident, 2022
227Asheville$3,014
228Evanston$3,011
229Richmond$3,004
230West Des Moines$2,994
231Colton$2,982
232Camden$2,981
233Bismarck$2,981
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 414 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.

RankCityCity government total spending per resident, 2022
411Petaluma$2,015
412Fort Smith$2,007
413Davie$2,002
414West Des Moines$1,999
415Pinellas Park$1,998
416Glendale$1,996
417Amarillo$1,996
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 123 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.

RankCityCity taxes collected per resident, 2022
120Salt Lake City$1,592
121Pleasanton$1,587
122San Rafael$1,583
123West Des Moines$1,568
124San Jose$1,553
125Richardson$1,553
126Westminster$1,531
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 640 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.

RankCityCity spending on police per resident, 2022
637Carrollton$210
638Fulshear$210
639Clarksville$210
640West Des Moines$209
641Bentonville$209
642Bellflower$209
643Brownsville$209
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 172 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.

RankCityCity long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022
169Kalamazoo$3,575
170Kannapolis$3,558
171Irvine$3,557
172West Des Moines$3,556
173Turlock$3,550
174Revere$3,549
175Buckeye$3,533
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 142 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.

RankCityProperty tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022
139Rowlett79.3%
140Palm Beach Gardens78.4%
141Coeur d'Alene78.1%
142West Des Moines77.8%
143St. Louis Park77.1%
144Hollywood76.9%
145Alexandria76.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))

West Des Moines ranks 427 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.

RankCityFederal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022
424Idaho Falls15.7%
425Greeley15.7%
426Oakland15.7%
427West Des Moines15.6%
428Winter Haven15.6%
429Birmingham15.6%
430Spokane Valley15.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 248 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.

RankCityCity government total revenue per resident, 2024
245Bloomington$3,122
246Evanston$3,115
247Little Rock$3,112
248West Des Moines$3,111
249Renton$3,107
250Grand Junction$3,095
251Spokane$3,088
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 380 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.

RankCityCity government total spending per resident, 2024
377Utica$2,300
378Schenectady$2,290
379Farmington Hills$2,283
380West Des Moines$2,282
381Irving$2,281
382Normal$2,276
383Janesville$2,274
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 85 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.

RankCityCity taxes collected per resident, 2024
82Chicopee$1,915
83Miami$1,901
84Ontario$1,897
85West Des Moines$1,886
86Malden$1,886
87Cincinnati$1,871
88Scottsdale$1,866
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 500 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.

RankCityCity spending on police per resident, 2024
497Lake Forest$244
498Cary$244
499Corvallis$244
500West Des Moines$242
501Overland Park$242
502Oshkosh$241
503Bowie$238
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 105 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.

RankCityCity long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024
102Hoffman Estates$4,632
103Hillsboro$4,616
104Kingsport$4,593
105West Des Moines$4,495
106New Haven$4,427
107Mount Prospect$4,410
108Victorville$4,389
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 141 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.

RankCityProperty tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024
138Edina77.5%
139Delray Beach77.0%
140Palm Beach Gardens76.2%
141West Des Moines75.4%
142Jeffersonville75.3%
143Suffolk75.2%
144Portsmouth75.0%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))

West Des Moines ranks 525 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.

RankCityFederal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024
522Garland7.7%
523Sunnyvale7.6%
524Pleasanton7.6%
525West Des Moines7.5%
526Carlsbad7.5%
527Bowie7.5%
528Auburn7.4%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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Sources

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