City government · Richland County, SC
Columbia's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Columbia took in $496 million and spent $502 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Columbia's money comes from county and other local tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 0.9%.
City taxes25%
What's in other taxesOther licenses; other selective sales taxes and 3 more
- Other licenses$33.9 million
- Other selective sales taxes$25.0 million
- Public utility taxes$13.9 million
- Public utility licenses$527 thousand
- Alcoholic beverage taxes$388 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services45%
What's in fees for servicesWater; sewer and 4 more
- Water$121 million
- Sewer$88.9 million
- Parking$7.7 million
- Other service charges$2.1 million
- Parks and recreation$1.4 million
- Garbage collection$450 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money3.2%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money10%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money5.7%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other11%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Columbia's spending goes to water, sewer, trash and other utilities.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 20%.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; water supply and 2 more
- Sewer systems$134 million
- Water supply$82.1 million
- Garbage and solid waste$13.0 million
- Electric power$398 thousand
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 2 more
- Fire protection$56.8 million
- Police$53.4 million
- Courts and legal services$5.1 million
- Inspections and regulation$2.3 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$31.6 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$15.6 million
- Government buildings$7.5 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$6.8 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on water supply debt and interest on general debt
- Interest on water supply debt$26.9 million
- Interest on general debt$7.0 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation
- Parks and recreation$24.6 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$10.2 million
- Parking$6.4 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$3.5 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$2.5 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$2.5 million
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out
- Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$1.4 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Columbia. 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 Columbia 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.