City government · Virginia Beach City, VA
Virginia Beach's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended June 30, 2024), Virginia Beach took in $2.36 billion and spent $2.62 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Virginia Beach's money comes from state tax money.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 6.4%.
City taxes54%
What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; occupation and business licenses and 6 more
- Other selective sales taxes$146 million
- Occupation and business licenses$62.1 million
- Public utility taxes$41.2 million
- Motor vehicle licenses$10.0 million
- Amusement taxes$9.5 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$8.0 million
- Other licenses$7.0 million
- Tobacco taxes$6.9 million
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services13%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 9 more
- Sewer$119 million
- Water$72.9 million
- Other service charges$42.5 million
- Garbage collection$42.1 million
- Parks and recreation$21.5 million
- School lunches$8.9 million
- Parking$6.1 million
- Housing$3.8 million
- School tuition and transportation$785 thousand
- Other school charges$334 thousand
- College tuition$46 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money1.7%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money25%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money1.0%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other4.3%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Virginia Beach'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 and colleges and universities
- Elementary and secondary schools$1.10 billion
- Colleges and universities$1.8 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; government buildings and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$248 million
- Government buildings$57.8 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$36.1 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$25.0 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 4 more
- Police$137 million
- Fire protection$112 million
- Prisons and jails$56.7 million
- Courts and legal services$30.2 million
- Inspections and regulation$2.8 million
- Probation, parole and other corrections$1.3 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems; water supply and 1 more
- Sewer systems$130 million
- Water supply$81.2 million
- Garbage and solid waste$44.2 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$156 million
- Parking$6.6 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$105 million
- Libraries$21.1 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$93.0 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$75.0 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$23.5 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$355 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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.