Government budget and revenue in Wichita, Kansas: official figures
Wichita's city government took in $835.68 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,109 for each of its 396,192 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 126th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Wichita spend and on what?
It spent $936.85 million in the same year, $2,365 per resident, the 222nd lowest 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 (30.0%), police (12.7%) and roads and highways (7.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Wichita collect per resident?
Taxes raised $314.10 million ($793 per resident, the 117th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 44.6% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Wichita rely on?
Of Wichita's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 50.9%, general sales tax 26.3%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 22.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Wichita's property tax share is the 250th 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 Wichita get?
Payments from other governments made up 22.0% of Wichita's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 22.0% 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 Wichita raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $163.85 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 $132.09 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Wichita spend on police?
Wichita's city government spent $119.24 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $301 per resident (the 190th lowest of 582) and 12.7% 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 Wichita spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $63.17 million, $159 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Wichita have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Wichita's city government owed $1.4 billion in long-term debt, $3,617 per resident (the 153rd highest of 582). During the year it issued $293.54 million of new long-term debt and repaid $88.07 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Wichita pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $45.85 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 4.9% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Wichita city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 30.9% from $1,611 to $2,109, spending per resident rose 87.5% to $2,365, taxes per resident rose 11.3% to $793.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Wichita 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))
Wichita ranks 615 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 612 | Wilmington | $1,618 |
| 613 | Thousand Oaks | $1,615 |
| 614 | Costa Mesa | $1,612 |
| 615 | Wichita | $1,611 |
| 616 | North Charleston | $1,603 |
| 617 | Salinas | $1,594 |
| 618 | Bellevue | $1,591 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 659 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 656 | Palm Bay | $1,276 |
| 657 | San Bernardino | $1,275 |
| 658 | Sandy Springs | $1,265 |
| 659 | Wichita | $1,261 |
| 660 | Apple Valley | $1,260 |
| 661 | Great Falls | $1,258 |
| 662 | Woodbury | $1,253 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 581 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 578 | Santa Ana | $717 |
| 579 | Escondido | $716 |
| 580 | Chico | $714 |
| 581 | Wichita | $712 |
| 582 | Modesto | $712 |
| 583 | Reno | $711 |
| 584 | Taylor | $710 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 533 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 530 | Westminster | $253 |
| 531 | Winter Haven | $253 |
| 532 | Southaven | $253 |
| 533 | Wichita | $253 |
| 534 | Menifee | $253 |
| 535 | Raleigh | $252 |
| 536 | Laguna Niguel | $251 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 246 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Weymouth Town | $2,775 |
| 244 | Pensacola | $2,774 |
| 245 | Fort Worth | $2,761 |
| 246 | Wichita | $2,754 |
| 247 | Pawtucket | $2,751 |
| 248 | Murfreesboro | $2,750 |
| 249 | St. Cloud | $2,743 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 348 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 345 | Winter Haven | 53.1% |
| 346 | Grand Prairie | 53.0% |
| 347 | Laguna Niguel | 53.0% |
| 348 | Wichita | 52.9% |
| 349 | Port Orange | 52.8% |
| 350 | North Charleston | 52.5% |
| 351 | Herriman | 52.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Wichita ranks 653 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 650 | Rowlett | 7.5% |
| 651 | Tulare | 7.5% |
| 652 | Midland | 7.5% |
| 653 | Wichita | 7.5% |
| 654 | Lakeville | 7.4% |
| 655 | Perris | 7.4% |
| 656 | Centennial | 7.3% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 457 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 454 | North Charleston | $2,121 |
| 455 | Lauderhill | $2,121 |
| 456 | Plainfield | $2,113 |
| 457 | Wichita | $2,109 |
| 458 | Great Falls | $2,108 |
| 459 | Marysville | $2,100 |
| 460 | Coral Springs | $2,098 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 361 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 358 | Camarillo | $2,399 |
| 359 | Albuquerque | $2,393 |
| 360 | Wilmington | $2,385 |
| 361 | Wichita | $2,365 |
| 362 | Miramar | $2,356 |
| 363 | Mount Prospect | $2,353 |
| 364 | San Angelo | $2,344 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 466 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 463 | Troy | $798 |
| 464 | Racine | $794 |
| 465 | Bellevue | $794 |
| 466 | Wichita | $793 |
| 467 | Huntersville | $788 |
| 468 | Miami Gardens | $783 |
| 469 | Novi | $781 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 393 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 390 | Midwest City | $302 |
| 391 | Dubuque | $302 |
| 392 | Corpus Christi | $301 |
| 393 | Wichita | $301 |
| 394 | Virginia Beach | $301 |
| 395 | Bend | $301 |
| 396 | Conroe | $301 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 153 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 150 | Normal | $3,690 |
| 151 | Dubuque | $3,676 |
| 152 | Mesa | $3,641 |
| 153 | Wichita | $3,617 |
| 154 | Lowell | $3,610 |
| 155 | Newport News | $3,592 |
| 156 | Birmingham | $3,587 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 331 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 328 | Corpus Christi | 51.4% |
| 329 | Portland | 51.3% |
| 330 | Savannah | 51.3% |
| 331 | Wichita | 50.9% |
| 332 | Pontiac | 50.8% |
| 333 | Summerville | 50.5% |
| 334 | San Antonio | 50.2% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Wichita ranks 239 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 236 | Livonia | 22.1% |
| 237 | Janesville | 22.0% |
| 238 | Fairfield | 22.0% |
| 239 | Wichita | 22.0% |
| 240 | Miami Gardens | 21.9% |
| 241 | Dearborn Heights | 21.9% |
| 242 | Cleveland | 21.9% |
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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.