Government budget and revenue in Winston-Salem, North Carolina: official figures
Winston-Salem's city government took in $518.47 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $2,063 for each of its 251,350 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 119th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Winston-Salem spend and on what?
It spent $376.28 million in the same year, $1,497 per resident, the 40th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (22.3%), fire protection (11.6%) and solid waste (10.3%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Winston-Salem collect per resident?
Taxes raised $249.09 million ($991 per resident, the 239th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 55.2% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Winston-Salem rely on?
Of Winston-Salem's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 71.7%, general sales tax 28.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Winston-Salem's property tax share is the 162nd 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 Winston-Salem get?
Payments from other governments made up 15.9% of Winston-Salem's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 8.2% from the federal government ($147 per resident), 7.5% 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 Winston-Salem raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $106.14 million, 23.5% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $66.93 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Winston-Salem spend on police?
Winston-Salem's city government spent $83.79 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $333 per resident (the 251st lowest of 582) and 22.3% 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 Winston-Salem spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $43.82 million, $174 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Winston-Salem have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Winston-Salem's city government owed $778.91 million in long-term debt, $3,099 per resident (the 187th highest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $57.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Winston-Salem pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $21.81 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 5.8% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Winston-Salem city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 1.2% from $2,037 to $2,063, spending per resident fell 5.7% to $1,497, taxes per resident rose 6.6% to $991.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Winston-Salem 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))
Winston-Salem ranks 460 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 457 | Midland | $2,043 |
| 458 | Parker | $2,040 |
| 459 | Rockville | $2,039 |
| 460 | Winston-Salem | $2,037 |
| 461 | Wake Forest | $2,036 |
| 462 | Kannapolis | $2,036 |
| 463 | Enid | $2,033 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 564 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 561 | Elgin | $1,607 |
| 562 | Troy | $1,595 |
| 563 | Gilbert | $1,590 |
| 564 | Winston-Salem | $1,588 |
| 565 | Arlington | $1,587 |
| 566 | Bethlehem | $1,583 |
| 567 | Fountain Valley | $1,582 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 396 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 393 | Buena Park | $932 |
| 394 | Bakersfield | $930 |
| 395 | Burlington | $930 |
| 396 | Winston-Salem | $930 |
| 397 | Arvada | $929 |
| 398 | Alpharetta | $929 |
| 399 | Peoria | $928 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 339 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 336 | Portland | $327 |
| 337 | Bristol | $326 |
| 338 | Passaic | $326 |
| 339 | Winston-Salem | $325 |
| 340 | Joliet | $325 |
| 341 | Modesto | $325 |
| 342 | Waco | $325 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 188 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 185 | Chula Vista | $3,368 |
| 186 | Fayetteville | $3,356 |
| 187 | Des Plaines | $3,340 |
| 188 | Winston-Salem | $3,324 |
| 189 | Franklin | $3,323 |
| 190 | Hampton | $3,321 |
| 191 | Athens | $3,319 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 177 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 174 | Davenport | 70.5% |
| 175 | Lancaster | 70.4% |
| 176 | Council Bluffs | 70.4% |
| 177 | Winston-Salem | 70.3% |
| 178 | Mooresville | 70.3% |
| 179 | Dallas | 70.2% |
| 180 | Concord | 70.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Winston-Salem ranks 276 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | Murray | 21.3% |
| 274 | North Little Rock | 21.3% |
| 275 | San Diego | 21.2% |
| 276 | Winston-Salem | 21.1% |
| 277 | Dunwoody | 21.1% |
| 278 | Concord | 21.1% |
| 279 | Dearborn Heights | 21.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 464 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 461 | Rio Rancho | $2,095 |
| 462 | Aurora | $2,088 |
| 463 | Palm Coast | $2,068 |
| 464 | Winston-Salem | $2,063 |
| 465 | Lawrence | $2,061 |
| 466 | Davie | $2,060 |
| 467 | Pasco | $2,054 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 543 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 540 | Palm Bay | $1,507 |
| 541 | Summerville | $1,504 |
| 542 | Bakersfield | $1,503 |
| 543 | Winston-Salem | $1,497 |
| 544 | Burnsville | $1,483 |
| 545 | Lake Forest | $1,478 |
| 546 | Overland Park | $1,473 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 344 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 341 | St. Petersburg | $999 |
| 342 | St. Paul | $997 |
| 343 | Trenton | $995 |
| 344 | Winston-Salem | $991 |
| 345 | Minnetonka | $983 |
| 346 | Yakima | $982 |
| 347 | Bartlett | $982 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 332 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 329 | Roanoke | $338 |
| 330 | Columbus | $336 |
| 331 | Pasadena | $336 |
| 332 | Winston-Salem | $333 |
| 333 | Akron | $333 |
| 334 | Parker | $331 |
| 335 | Murfreesboro | $331 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 187 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 184 | Santa Clara | $3,169 |
| 185 | Sunnyvale | $3,129 |
| 186 | Sioux City | $3,117 |
| 187 | Winston-Salem | $3,099 |
| 188 | Olathe | $3,061 |
| 189 | Hamilton | $3,052 |
| 190 | Omaha | $3,051 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 162 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 159 | Homestead | 72.0% |
| 160 | Davenport | 71.9% |
| 161 | Boynton Beach | 71.9% |
| 162 | Winston-Salem | 71.7% |
| 163 | Miami | 71.5% |
| 164 | Rochester | 71.3% |
| 165 | Minneapolis | 71.0% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Winston-Salem ranks 329 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 326 | Owensboro | 16.0% |
| 327 | Laredo | 16.0% |
| 328 | Grand Junction | 16.0% |
| 329 | Winston-Salem | 15.9% |
| 330 | Sioux Falls | 15.9% |
| 331 | Springfield | 15.9% |
| 332 | Hanford | 15.8% |
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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.