City government · Portsmouth City, VA
Portsmouth's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Portsmouth took in $571 million and spent $609 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Portsmouth's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 6.4%.
City taxes37%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; public utility taxes and 6 more
- Other selective sales taxes$15.5 million
- Public utility taxes$9.4 million
- Occupation and business licenses$7.8 million
- Tobacco taxes$2.4 million
- Motor vehicle licenses$2.3 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$1.4 million
- Other licenses$1.1 million
- Amusement taxes$287 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services16%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 8 more
- Sewer$26.6 million
- Water$26.6 million
- Garbage collection$22.5 million
- Housing$10.3 million
- Other service charges$4.1 million
- Parks and recreation$1.9 million
- Transit fares$787 thousand
- School lunches$774 thousand
- School tuition and transportation$173 thousand
- Other school charges$72 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money6.1%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money34%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money0.9%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.2%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Portsmouth'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$228 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 3 more
- Police$47.5 million
- Fire protection$43.9 million
- Prisons and jails$19.5 million
- Courts and legal services$10.2 million
- Inspections and regulation$3.6 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$45.5 million
- Government buildings$9.3 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$5.1 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$882 thousand
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste; sewer systems and 1 more
- Garbage and solid waste$16.9 million
- Sewer systems$14.3 million
- Water supply$14.3 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$25.8 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
- Roads and highways$22.3 million
- Public transit$2.4 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$18.5 million
- Libraries$2.8 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on public transit debt
- Interest on general debt$17.0 million
- Interest on public transit debt$20 thousand
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$13.4 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$5.7 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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.