City government · Pierce County, WA
Tacoma's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended December 31, 2023), Tacoma took in $1.43 billion and spent $1.36 billion.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Tacoma's money comes from fees for services such as water, sewer and parking.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people gets 30%.
City taxes23%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; other licenses and 6 more
- Occupation and business licenses$65.8 million
- Other licenses$19.9 million
- Public utility taxes$16.0 million
- Other selective sales taxes$11.6 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$8.7 million
- Motor vehicle licenses$5.8 million
- Amusement taxes$3.7 million
- Amusement licenses$14 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services67%
What's in fees for servicesElectric power; sewer and 7 more
- Electric power$509 million
- Sewer$136 million
- Water$124 million
- Garbage collection$92.2 million
- Other government-run businesses$39.9 million
- Other service charges$26.6 million
- Parks and recreation$15.7 million
- Parking$4.8 million
- Road charges$2.4 million
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money1.3%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money2.6%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money0.6%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other6.4%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Tacoma'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 utilitiesElectric power; water supply and 2 more
- Electric power$462 million
- Water supply$121 million
- Sewer systems$116 million
- Garbage and solid waste$71.3 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$115 million
- Fire protection$114 million
- Inspections and regulation$19.7 million
- Courts and legal services$3.8 million
What's in running the government and other costsFinance, tax collection and budgeting; other government-run businesses and 2 more
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$35.6 million
- Other government-run businesses$32.7 million
- Other and not broken out$21.3 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$18.2 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking
- Roads and highways$67.6 million
- Parking$4.2 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on electric power debt; interest on general debt and 1 more
- Interest on electric power debt$26.5 million
- Interest on general debt$20.9 million
- Interest on water supply debt$17.4 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$28.2 million
- Libraries$16.5 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$21.2 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$9.8 million
What's in social servicesOther public welfare
- Other public welfare$1.6 million
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Tacoma. 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 Tacoma 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.