County government · Santa Cruz County, CA
Santa Cruz County's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Santa Cruz County took in $1.06 billion and spent $1.03 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Santa Cruz County's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. county of 250,000+ people gets 19%.
County taxes23%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; other taxes not classified elsewhere and 4 more
- Other selective sales taxes$12.8 million
- Other taxes not classified elsewhere$7.7 million
- Occupation and business licenses$7.0 million
- Public utility taxes$6.6 million
- Other licenses$4.6 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$2.4 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services21%
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; garbage collection and 6 more
- Other service charges$97.3 million
- Garbage collection$57.0 million
- Sewer$45.9 million
- Other school charges$9.7 million
- Road charges$5.9 million
- Parks, land and natural resources$3.4 million
- Parks and recreation$2.2 million
- Water$297 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money4.9%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money46%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Local tax money1.4%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other4.1%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Santa Cruz County's spending goes to social services.A typical U.S. county of 250,000+ people spends 4.3%.
Spending by category100%
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$243 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; police and 3 more
- Prisons and jails$52.0 million
- Police$51.8 million
- Courts and legal services$49.4 million
- Probation, parole and other corrections$22.0 million
- Inspections and regulation$10.5 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$172 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 1 more
- Other and not broken out$80.6 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$27.7 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$18.3 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
- Roads and highways$99.2 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; sewer systems and 1 more
- Garbage and solid waste$42.8 million
- Sewer systems$34.0 million
- Water supply$218 thousand
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
- Elementary and secondary schools$64.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$16.9 million
- Libraries$7.0 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$13.4 million
- Sent to the state government$2.0 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$8.7 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
Santa Cruz County. 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 Santa Cruz County 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.