City government · Jefferson County, AL
Birmingham's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Birmingham took in $902 million and spent $780 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Birmingham's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people get none.
City taxes61%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; public utility taxes and 4 more
- Occupation and business licenses$66.4 million
- Public utility taxes$18.0 million
- Other licenses$14.7 million
- Other selective sales taxes$11.4 million
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$2.5 million
- Alcoholic beverage taxes$2.3 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services25%
What's in fees for servicesWater; other service charges and 3 more
- Water$207 million
- Other service charges$15.7 million
- Parking$3.3 million
- Parks and recreation$2.2 million
- Road charges$973 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money4.1%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money2.4%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money1.1%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other5.6%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Birmingham's spending goes to running the government and other costs.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 16%.
Spending by category100%
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$109 million
- Fire protection$88.7 million
- Courts and legal services$15.5 million
- Inspections and regulation$11.9 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply and garbage and solid waste
- Water supply$164 million
- Garbage and solid waste$39.9 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$135 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$26.3 million
- Government buildings$15.8 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$15.2 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
- Roads and highways$38.2 million
- Public transit$12.8 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on water supply debt and interest on general debt
- Interest on water supply debt$28.7 million
- Interest on general debt$16.8 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$18.7 million
- Libraries$14.1 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Birmingham. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
What this covers. The money of City of Birmingham itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.