Government budget and revenue in Whittier, California: official figures
Whittier's city government took in $215.25 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,547 for each of its 84,496 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 233rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Whittier spend and on what?
It spent $229.04 million in the same year, $2,711 per resident, the 287th 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 (20.9%), police (20.5%) and parks and recreation (8.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Whittier collect per resident?
Taxes raised $80.39 million ($951 per resident, the 216th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 45.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Whittier rely on?
Of Whittier's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 27.6%, general sales tax 32.0%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 16.4%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Whittier's property tax share is the 110th 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 Whittier get?
Payments from other governments made up 16.1% of Whittier's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 8.4% from the federal government ($175 per resident), 6.3% from the state and 1.4% 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 Whittier raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $41.17 million, 23.3% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $38.66 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Whittier spend on police?
Whittier's city government spent $46.94 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $555 per resident (the 76th highest of 582) and 20.5% 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 Whittier spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $3,000, $0 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Whittier have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Whittier's city government owed $140.61 million in long-term debt, $1,664 per resident (the 214th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $15.17 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Whittier pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $6.23 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.7% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Whittier city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 49.4% from $1,705 to $2,547, spending per resident fell 17.3% to $2,711, taxes per resident rose 5.4% to $951.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Whittier 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))
Whittier ranks 578 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | Jupiter | $1,711 |
| 576 | Plymouth | $1,710 |
| 577 | Carrollton | $1,710 |
| 578 | Whittier | $1,705 |
| 579 | San Marcos | $1,705 |
| 580 | Coconut Creek | $1,703 |
| 581 | Coral Springs | $1,701 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 194 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 191 | Sunrise | $3,311 |
| 192 | Grapevine | $3,306 |
| 193 | Turlock | $3,282 |
| 194 | Whittier | $3,279 |
| 195 | Fargo | $3,276 |
| 196 | Santa Cruz | $3,275 |
| 197 | Charlotte | $3,263 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 421 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 418 | Middletown | $907 |
| 419 | Lubbock | $906 |
| 420 | Rio Rancho | $903 |
| 421 | Whittier | $902 |
| 422 | Kokomo | $900 |
| 423 | Sunrise | $900 |
| 424 | Rogers | $900 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 1 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whittier | $1,555 |
| 2 | Miami Beach | $1,469 |
| 3 | La Habra | $1,230 |
| 4 | Santa Monica | $1,079 |
| 5 | Corona | $956 |
| 6 | Washington | $943 |
| 7 | San Francisco | $890 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 381 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 378 | Peoria | $1,884 |
| 379 | La Habra | $1,881 |
| 380 | Petaluma | $1,875 |
| 381 | Whittier | $1,859 |
| 382 | Montgomery | $1,849 |
| 383 | Arlington Heights | $1,847 |
| 384 | San Rafael | $1,839 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 598 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 595 | Santa Cruz | 26.1% |
| 596 | South Gate | 25.5% |
| 597 | Saratoga Springs | 25.5% |
| 598 | Whittier | 25.5% |
| 599 | Burien | 25.4% |
| 600 | Taylorsville | 25.4% |
| 601 | Lancaster | 25.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Whittier ranks 475 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 472 | Lakeland | 14.0% |
| 473 | Warner Robins | 13.9% |
| 474 | West Covina | 13.9% |
| 475 | Whittier | 13.9% |
| 476 | Bossier City | 13.9% |
| 477 | Columbia | 13.8% |
| 478 | National City | 13.8% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 350 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 347 | Murfreesboro | $2,572 |
| 348 | Homestead | $2,561 |
| 349 | Fairfield | $2,554 |
| 350 | Whittier | $2,547 |
| 351 | Hoffman Estates | $2,544 |
| 352 | Melbourne | $2,543 |
| 353 | Rancho Cordova | $2,533 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 287 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 284 | Cheyenne | $2,716 |
| 285 | Naperville | $2,713 |
| 286 | Chapel Hill | $2,712 |
| 287 | Whittier | $2,711 |
| 288 | Bloomington | $2,706 |
| 289 | Raleigh | $2,704 |
| 290 | McKinney | $2,703 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 367 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 364 | Boise City | $957 |
| 365 | Fort Pierce | $956 |
| 366 | Salem | $953 |
| 367 | Whittier | $951 |
| 368 | Sanford | $950 |
| 369 | Aurora | $948 |
| 370 | Albuquerque | $948 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 76 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 73 | Watsonville | $560 |
| 74 | Redlands | $558 |
| 75 | Birmingham | $556 |
| 76 | Whittier | $555 |
| 77 | Davie | $552 |
| 78 | Sunrise | $545 |
| 79 | Anchorage | $544 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 369 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 366 | Pittsburgh | $1,678 |
| 367 | Carrollton | $1,677 |
| 368 | New Orleans | $1,674 |
| 369 | Whittier | $1,664 |
| 370 | Warren | $1,664 |
| 371 | Lauderhill | $1,654 |
| 372 | Rockville | $1,652 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 471 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 468 | Vancouver | 28.4% |
| 469 | Rapid City | 28.3% |
| 470 | South Gate | 27.9% |
| 471 | Whittier | 27.6% |
| 472 | Denver | 27.1% |
| 473 | Amarillo | 26.7% |
| 474 | Santa Barbara | 26.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Whittier ranks 324 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 321 | Houston | 16.5% |
| 322 | St. Petersburg | 16.5% |
| 323 | Fishers | 16.3% |
| 324 | Whittier | 16.1% |
| 325 | Blaine | 16.1% |
| 326 | Owensboro | 16.0% |
| 327 | Laredo | 16.0% |
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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.