Government budget and revenue in Worcester, Massachusetts: official figures
Worcester's city government took in $1.1 billion in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,339 for each of its 205,319 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 87th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Worcester spend and on what?
It spent $1.3 billion in the same year, $6,531 per resident, the 57th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (54.4%), police (7.5%) and fire protection (5.9%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Worcester collect per resident?
Taxes raised $422.96 million ($2,060 per resident, the 74th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 39.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Worcester rely on?
Of Worcester's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, property tax made up 95.8%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 1.6%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Worcester's property tax share is the 43rd 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 Worcester get?
Payments from other governments made up 49.3% of Worcester's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 8.0% from the federal government ($413 per resident), 41.2% 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 Worcester raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $93.79 million, 8.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $30.50 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Worcester spend on police?
Worcester's city government spent $100.54 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $490 per resident (the 132nd highest of 582) and 7.5% 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 Worcester spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $78.74 million, $384 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Worcester city government run the schools?
Worcester's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $729.96 million, 54.4% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Worcester have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Worcester's city government owed $1.0 billion in long-term debt, $4,965 per resident (the 90th highest of 582). During the year it issued $148.95 million of new long-term debt and repaid $76.91 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Worcester pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $34.74 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 2.6% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Worcester city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 12.7% from $6,117 to $5,339, spending per resident rose 11.3% to $6,531, taxes per resident rose 0.4% to $2,060.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Worcester 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))
Worcester ranks 41 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 38 | New Brunswick | $6,217 |
| 39 | Bryan | $6,169 |
| 40 | Roseville | $6,148 |
| 41 | Worcester | $6,117 |
| 42 | Union City | $6,111 |
| 43 | Lynn | $6,051 |
| 44 | Norman | $6,045 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 58 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | Framingham | $5,995 |
| 56 | Seattle | $5,943 |
| 57 | Lawrence | $5,934 |
| 58 | Worcester | $5,870 |
| 59 | Gainesville | $5,825 |
| 60 | Norfolk | $5,793 |
| 61 | Huntsville | $5,790 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 73 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | Cincinnati | $2,074 |
| 71 | Portsmouth | $2,063 |
| 72 | Galveston | $2,058 |
| 73 | Worcester | $2,051 |
| 74 | Haverhill | $2,029 |
| 75 | Portland | $2,021 |
| 76 | Kansas City | $2,003 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 363 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 360 | Utica | $317 |
| 361 | Asheville | $317 |
| 362 | Irving | $317 |
| 363 | Worcester | $317 |
| 364 | Madison | $317 |
| 365 | Pinellas Park | $316 |
| 366 | Kent | $316 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 91 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | West Palm Beach | $5,044 |
| 89 | Goodyear | $5,037 |
| 90 | Victorville | $5,021 |
| 91 | Worcester | $5,009 |
| 92 | Tallahassee | $4,994 |
| 93 | Woodland | $4,944 |
| 94 | Fishers | $4,898 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 48 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Clifton | 96.2% |
| 46 | Newton | 96.2% |
| 47 | Westland | 96.2% |
| 48 | Worcester | 96.0% |
| 49 | Warwick | 96.0% |
| 50 | West New York | 96.0% |
| 51 | Medford | 95.9% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Worcester ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Troy | 58.7% |
| 19 | Revere | 56.7% |
| 20 | Hartford | 56.5% |
| 21 | Worcester | 55.8% |
| 22 | Cheyenne | 55.8% |
| 23 | Pawtucket | 55.7% |
| 24 | Collierville | 54.9% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 87 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | Chicago | $5,400 |
| 85 | Bridgeport | $5,367 |
| 86 | Waterbury | $5,360 |
| 87 | Worcester | $5,339 |
| 88 | Bryan | $5,326 |
| 89 | Jacksonville | $5,318 |
| 90 | Pensacola | $5,308 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 57 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Lawrence | $6,780 |
| 55 | Ocala | $6,701 |
| 56 | Fall River | $6,611 |
| 57 | Worcester | $6,531 |
| 58 | Providence | $6,519 |
| 59 | New Orleans | $6,502 |
| 60 | Mountain View | $6,501 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 74 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 71 | New Orleans | $2,090 |
| 72 | Haverhill | $2,084 |
| 73 | Lynchburg | $2,071 |
| 74 | Worcester | $2,060 |
| 75 | Providence | $2,059 |
| 76 | Inglewood | $2,051 |
| 77 | Boulder | $2,033 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 132 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 129 | Vancouver | $490 |
| 130 | Coconut Creek | $490 |
| 131 | Lakeland | $490 |
| 132 | Worcester | $490 |
| 133 | Portsmouth | $489 |
| 134 | Seattle | $489 |
| 135 | North Miami | $487 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 90 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Madison | $5,021 |
| 88 | La Crosse | $5,005 |
| 89 | Lubbock | $4,971 |
| 90 | Worcester | $4,965 |
| 91 | Lynchburg | $4,940 |
| 92 | Portland | $4,916 |
| 93 | Huntsville | $4,882 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 43 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Newton | 95.9% |
| 41 | Elizabeth | 95.9% |
| 42 | St. Clair Shores | 95.9% |
| 43 | Worcester | 95.8% |
| 44 | Malden | 95.8% |
| 45 | Livonia | 95.7% |
| 46 | Warren | 95.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Worcester ranks 35 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 32 | Revere | 49.8% |
| 33 | Macon-Bibb County | 49.6% |
| 34 | Kenner | 49.6% |
| 35 | Worcester | 49.3% |
| 36 | Schenectady | 49.1% |
| 37 | Utica | 48.8% |
| 38 | New Haven | 48.7% |
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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…)
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