City government · Mercer County, NJ
Trenton's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Trenton took in $637 million and spent $751 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Trenton's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 6.4%.
City taxes14%
What's in other taxesOther licenses; public utility taxes and 2 more
- Other licenses$4.0 million
- Public utility taxes$806 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage licenses$265 thousand
- Other selective sales taxes$9 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services11%
What's in fees for servicesWater; sewer and 6 more
- Water$45.3 million
- Sewer$10.3 million
- Housing$6.5 million
- Parking$4.9 million
- Other service charges$465 thousand
- School lunches$363 thousand
- Road charges$258 thousand
- Other school charges$192 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.5%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money66%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money2.4%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other3.0%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Trenton'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$456 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 1 more
- Other and not broken out$108 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.5 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$2.4 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$35.5 million
- Fire protection$26.3 million
- Courts and legal services$6.3 million
- Inspections and regulation$380 thousand
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; garbage and solid waste and 1 more
- Water supply$35.9 million
- Garbage and solid waste$9.9 million
- Sewer systems$1.3 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$26.2 million
- Sent to the state government$740 thousand
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$3.7 million
- Parking$1.6 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$4.2 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$2.0 million
- Interest on water supply debt$1.6 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$1.9 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$1.4 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$1.4 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Trenton. 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 Trenton 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.