City government · Middlesex County, MA
Waltham's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Waltham took in $385 million and spent $531 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Waltham's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 20%.
City taxes65%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes and other licenses
- Other selective sales taxes$7.4 million
- Other licenses$7.0 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services14%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 7 more
- Sewer$25.4 million
- Water$17.2 million
- Other service charges$9.8 million
- Parking$629 thousand
- Parks and recreation$616 thousand
- School lunches$375 thousand
- Other government-run businesses$296 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$209 thousand
- Other school charges$60 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money2.0%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money16%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
Fines and other3.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Waltham's spending goes to schools and colleges.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people spend nothing on this.
Spending by category100%
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
- Elementary and secondary schools$272 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 3 more
- Other and not broken out$82.9 million
- Government buildings$6.7 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.9 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$2.5 million
- Other government-run businesses$142 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 2 more
- Fire protection$33.4 million
- Police$32.4 million
- Inspections and regulation$6.9 million
- Courts and legal services$2.0 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$19.5 million
- Sewer systems$19.5 million
- Garbage and solid waste$10.1 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$19.0 million
- Parking$407 thousand
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$8.0 million
- Interest on water supply debt$105 thousand
What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation
- Libraries$3.6 million
- Parks and recreation$2.5 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to the state government and sent to local governments: other and not broken out
- Sent to the state government$1.6 million
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$1.5 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$1.5 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$561 thousand
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$95 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Waltham. 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 Waltham 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.