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.
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 copyHow 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 copyWhat 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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 copyHow 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.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | Asheville | $3,014 |
| 228 | Evanston | $3,011 |
| 229 | Richmond | $3,004 |
| 230 | West Des Moines | $2,994 |
| 231 | Colton | $2,982 |
| 232 | Camden | $2,981 |
| 233 | Bismarck | $2,981 |
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.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 411 | Petaluma | $2,015 |
| 412 | Fort Smith | $2,007 |
| 413 | Davie | $2,002 |
| 414 | West Des Moines | $1,999 |
| 415 | Pinellas Park | $1,998 |
| 416 | Glendale | $1,996 |
| 417 | Amarillo | $1,996 |
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.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Salt Lake City | $1,592 |
| 121 | Pleasanton | $1,587 |
| 122 | San Rafael | $1,583 |
| 123 | West Des Moines | $1,568 |
| 124 | San Jose | $1,553 |
| 125 | Richardson | $1,553 |
| 126 | Westminster | $1,531 |
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.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 637 | Carrollton | $210 |
| 638 | Fulshear | $210 |
| 639 | Clarksville | $210 |
| 640 | West Des Moines | $209 |
| 641 | Bentonville | $209 |
| 642 | Bellflower | $209 |
| 643 | Brownsville | $209 |
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.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 169 | Kalamazoo | $3,575 |
| 170 | Kannapolis | $3,558 |
| 171 | Irvine | $3,557 |
| 172 | West Des Moines | $3,556 |
| 173 | Turlock | $3,550 |
| 174 | Revere | $3,549 |
| 175 | Buckeye | $3,533 |
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.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 139 | Rowlett | 79.3% |
| 140 | Palm Beach Gardens | 78.4% |
| 141 | Coeur d'Alene | 78.1% |
| 142 | West Des Moines | 77.8% |
| 143 | St. Louis Park | 77.1% |
| 144 | Hollywood | 76.9% |
| 145 | Alexandria | 76.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
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.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 424 | Idaho Falls | 15.7% |
| 425 | Greeley | 15.7% |
| 426 | Oakland | 15.7% |
| 427 | West Des Moines | 15.6% |
| 428 | Winter Haven | 15.6% |
| 429 | Birmingham | 15.6% |
| 430 | Spokane Valley | 15.5% |
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.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Bloomington | $3,122 |
| 246 | Evanston | $3,115 |
| 247 | Little Rock | $3,112 |
| 248 | West Des Moines | $3,111 |
| 249 | Renton | $3,107 |
| 250 | Grand Junction | $3,095 |
| 251 | Spokane | $3,088 |
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.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 377 | Utica | $2,300 |
| 378 | Schenectady | $2,290 |
| 379 | Farmington Hills | $2,283 |
| 380 | West Des Moines | $2,282 |
| 381 | Irving | $2,281 |
| 382 | Normal | $2,276 |
| 383 | Janesville | $2,274 |
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.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 82 | Chicopee | $1,915 |
| 83 | Miami | $1,901 |
| 84 | Ontario | $1,897 |
| 85 | West Des Moines | $1,886 |
| 86 | Malden | $1,886 |
| 87 | Cincinnati | $1,871 |
| 88 | Scottsdale | $1,866 |
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.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 497 | Lake Forest | $244 |
| 498 | Cary | $244 |
| 499 | Corvallis | $244 |
| 500 | West Des Moines | $242 |
| 501 | Overland Park | $242 |
| 502 | Oshkosh | $241 |
| 503 | Bowie | $238 |
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.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 102 | Hoffman Estates | $4,632 |
| 103 | Hillsboro | $4,616 |
| 104 | Kingsport | $4,593 |
| 105 | West Des Moines | $4,495 |
| 106 | New Haven | $4,427 |
| 107 | Mount Prospect | $4,410 |
| 108 | Victorville | $4,389 |
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.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 138 | Edina | 77.5% |
| 139 | Delray Beach | 77.0% |
| 140 | Palm Beach Gardens | 76.2% |
| 141 | West Des Moines | 75.4% |
| 142 | Jeffersonville | 75.3% |
| 143 | Suffolk | 75.2% |
| 144 | Portsmouth | 75.0% |
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.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 522 | Garland | 7.7% |
| 523 | Sunnyvale | 7.6% |
| 524 | Pleasanton | 7.6% |
| 525 | West Des Moines | 7.5% |
| 526 | Carlsbad | 7.5% |
| 527 | Bowie | 7.5% |
| 528 | Auburn | 7.4% |
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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.