City government · Whatcom County, WA
Bellingham's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended December 31, 2023), Bellingham took in $289 million and spent $274 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Bellingham's money comes from taxes other than property, sales and income taxes.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 7.2%.
City taxes48%
What's in other taxesPublic utility taxes; occupation and business licenses and 4 more
- Public utility taxes$22.5 million
- Occupation and business licenses$21.3 million
- Other licenses$5.0 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$4.6 million
- Other selective sales taxes$3.0 million
- Amusement taxes$716 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services39%
What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 5 more
- Sewer$42.8 million
- Water$34.4 million
- Other service charges$29.4 million
- Parking$2.6 million
- Parks and recreation$2.6 million
- Other government-run businesses$508 thousand
- Road charges$90 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 money4.5%
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 other5.9%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Bellingham's spending goes to health services and hospitals.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people spend nothing on this.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems and water supply
- Sewer systems$47.9 million
- Water supply$27.7 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 4 more
- Fire protection$32.1 million
- Police$30.0 million
- Prisons and jails$3.6 million
- Courts and legal services$3.3 million
- Inspections and regulation$612 thousand
- Probation, parole and other corrections$579 thousand
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and 3 more
- Other and not broken out$29.0 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$6.2 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$3.9 million
- Other government-run businesses$516 thousand
- Government buildings$461 thousand
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$25.9 million
- Libraries$7.7 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$22.3 million
- Parking$3.4 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$15.6 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$3.8 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt
- Interest on general debt$2.3 million
- Interest on water supply debt$189 thousand
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$475 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Bellingham. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Bellingham 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.