ZIP 08879 · Old Bridge Township, NJ

Eight governments run on your community's money

This page shows every government that serves ZIP 08879: the state, county, city or town and school district, and where each one's money comes from and goes.

Each government is shown for its own newest fiscal year on file, so the years differ. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, the government's own report or, for New Jersey governments, the New Jersey Department of Education, as named under Sources and more.

Where do my taxes go in 08879?
08879 is served by the State of New Jersey, Middlesex County, Old Bridge Township, Old Bridge Township Public Schs., the Borough of Sayreville, Sayreville Borough School District, the City of South Amboy and South Amboy City School District. In each one's latest recorded fiscal year, State of New Jersey spent $97.4 billion (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Middlesex County spent $725 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Old Bridge Township spent $86.7 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Old Bridge Township Public Schs. spent $213 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025), Borough of Sayreville spent $46.1 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Sayreville Borough School District spent $181 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), City of South Amboy spent $17.8 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2022) and South Amboy City School District spent $31.0 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025). Each government's money is separate.

Which governments collect property tax in 08879?
Of the governments serving 08879, Middlesex County collected $461 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Old Bridge Township collected $203 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Borough of Sayreville collected $132 million (fiscal year ended December 31, 2023), Old Bridge Township Public Schs. collected $128 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025), Sayreville Borough School District collected $78.6 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), City of South Amboy collected $13.0 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2022), South Amboy City School District collected $12.0 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2025) and State of New Jersey collected $5.0 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024) in property tax. These are each government's total collections, not a bill for 08879.

See another ZIP code

From the state down to your schools: where each one's money comes from and goes.

See the full budget for: Middlesex County, Old Bridge Township, Sayreville and South Amboy

Why not this year? New Jersey governments with newer filings show school district figures from the New Jersey Department of Education (for 2025). Each other figure is the newest year the U.S. Census Bureau has published for that government, so the years differ and are not the current year. Most governments post their current budget on their own website.

Where property tax goes in 08879

Middlesex County$461 million

52% of its $885 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Old Bridge Township$203 million

67% of its $303 million in revenue · fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

Borough of Sayreville$132 million

93% of its $142 million in revenue · fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 · estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau

Old Bridge Township Public Schs.$128 million

63% of its $203 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2025

Sayreville Borough School District$78.6 million

53% of its $148 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

City of South Amboy$13.0 million

60% of its $21.6 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 · estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau

South Amboy City School District$12.0 million

41% of its $29.5 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2025

State of New Jersey$5.0 million

<0.1% of its $100.6 billion in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

These are each government's total property tax collections, not your bill. Your own bill is split by each government's tax rate, shown on your property tax bill.

Your county

Middlesex County

$725 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

Where the money comes from

County taxes52%Fees for services (sewer, garbage collection)27%Federal tax money11%State tax money6.0%Fines and other2.3%Local tax money2.1%

Full Middlesex County breakdown

What stands out

52%

of Middlesex County's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. county of 250,000+ people gets 29%.

County taxes52%

Property tax

52%$461 million

Other taxes

<0.1%$422 thousand

What's in other taxesOther licenses

Other licenses$422 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services27%

Fees for services

27%$236 million

What's in fees for servicesSewer; garbage collection and 8 more

Sewer$89.2 million
Garbage collection$61.1 million
Other service charges$57.9 million
College tuition$25.8 million
School tuition and transportation$516 thousand
Other school charges$510 thousand
School lunches$368 thousand
Parks and recreation$211 thousand
Road charges$135 thousand
Parking$121 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money11%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

11%$96.9 million

State tax money6.0%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

6.0%$53.2 million

Local tax money2.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From other local governments

2.1%$18.3 million

Fines and other2.3%

Interest, rents and other

2.2%$19.7 million

Fines

<0.1%$282 thousand

Middlesex County page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges24%Running the government and other costs21%Water, sewer, trash and utilities20%Police, fire, courts and jails16%Social services12%All other spending7.7%

What stands out

24%

of Middlesex County's spending goes to schools and colleges.Most U.S. counties of 250,000+ people spend nothing on this.

Full Middlesex County breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges

24%$174 million

What's in schools and collegesColleges and universities; elementary and secondary schools and 1 more

Colleges and universities$93.9 million
Elementary and secondary schools$72.0 million
Scholarships and other education subsidies$8.5 million

Running the government and other costs

21%$151 million

What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more

Other and not broken out$120 million
Finance, tax collection and budgeting$11.6 million
Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$11.5 million
Government buildings$7.1 million

Water, sewer, trash and utilities

20%$142 million

What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesSewer systems and garbage and solid waste

Sewer systems$102 million
Garbage and solid waste$39.7 million

Police, fire, courts and jails

16%$116 million

What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; courts and legal services and 2 more

Prisons and jails$50.6 million
Courts and legal services$24.8 million
Police$24.5 million
Inspections and regulation$15.7 million

Social services

12%$87.0 million

What's in social servicesWelfare institutions and other public welfare

Welfare institutions$59.2 million
Other public welfare$27.7 million

Interest on debt

3.6%$25.8 million

What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt

Interest on general debt$24.2 million
Interest on water supply debt$1.5 million

Parks, recreation and libraries

1.6%$11.9 million

What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation

Parks and recreation$11.9 million

Health and hospitals

1.2%$8.9 million

What's in health and hospitalsPublic health

Public health$8.9 million

Roads, transit and parking

1.0%$7.6 million

What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking

Roads and highways$7.5 million
Parking$113 thousand

Sent to other local governments

0.3%$1.8 million

What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government

Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$1.7 million
Sent to the state government$98 thousand

Middlesex County page →

Your cities and towns

Old Bridge Township

$86.7 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended December 31, 2023.

About 46% of this ZIP is in Old Bridge Township.

Where the money comes from

Township taxes68%Fines and other15%Fees for services (sewer, water)14%State tax money2.9%County and local tax money0.7%

Full Old Bridge Township breakdown

What stands out

14%

of Old Bridge Township's money comes from interest, rents and other revenue.A typical U.S. township or town of 50,000+ people gets 3%.

Township taxes68%

Property tax

67%$203 million

Other taxes

0.4%$1.3 million

What's in other taxesPublic utility taxes; other licenses and 2 more

Public utility taxes$540 thousand
Other licenses$525 thousand
Other selective sales taxes$105 thousand
Alcoholic beverage licenses$95 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services14%

Fees for services

14%$42.8 million

What's in fees for servicesSewer; water and 3 more

Sewer$18.0 million
Water$17.8 million
Housing$6.1 million
Parks and recreation$864 thousand
Parking$86 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money2.9%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

2.9%$8.8 million

County and local tax money0.7%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments

0.7%$2.2 million

Fines and other15%

Interest, rents and other

14%$43.7 million

Fines

0.2%$725 thousand

Old Bridge Township page →

Where the money goes

Water, sewer, trash and utilities30%Running the government and other costs25%Police, fire, courts and jails22%Sent to other local governments11%Parks, recreation and libraries7.1%All other spending5.6%

What stands out

30%

of Old Bridge Township's spending goes to water, sewer, trash and other utilities.Most U.S. townships and towns of 50,000+ people spend nothing on this.

Full Old Bridge Township breakdown

Spending by category100%

Water, sewer, trash and utilities

30%$25.9 million

What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more

Water supply$16.7 million
Sewer systems$8.2 million
Garbage and solid waste$1.0 million

Running the government and other costs

25%$21.3 million

What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more

Other and not broken out$17.7 million
Finance, tax collection and budgeting$1.7 million
Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$1.4 million
Government buildings$479 thousand

Police, fire, courts and jails

22%$18.7 million

What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; inspections and regulation and 1 more

Police$15.2 million
Inspections and regulation$2.6 million
Courts and legal services$990 thousand

Sent to other local governments

11%$9.7 million

What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to local governments: other and not broken out and sent to the state government

Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$7.7 million
Sent to the state government$2.0 million

Parks, recreation and libraries

7.1%$6.1 million

What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation

Libraries$3.4 million
Parks and recreation$2.8 million

Roads, transit and parking

2.8%$2.4 million

What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and parking

Roads and highways$2.3 million
Parking$131 thousand

Interest on debt

1.4%$1.2 million

What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt

Interest on general debt$921 thousand
Interest on water supply debt$251 thousand

Housing and community development

0.9%$748 thousand

Health and hospitals

0.6%$548 thousand

What's in health and hospitalsPublic health

Public health$548 thousand

Old Bridge Township page →

Borough of Sayreville

$46.1 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended December 31, 2023. Estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau

About 33% of this ZIP is in Sayreville.

Where the money comes from

Borough taxes93%Fees for services (sewer, parks and recreation)4.3%Federal tax money1.7%Fines and other0.5%

Full Sayreville breakdown

What stands out

93%

of Sayreville's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. city of 10,000 to 50,000 people gets 19%.

Borough taxes93%

Property tax

93%$132 million

Other taxes

0.1%$145 thousand

What's in other taxesAlcoholic beverage licenses; other licenses and 1 more

Alcoholic beverage licenses$93 thousand
Other licenses$51 thousand
Amusement licenses$1 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services4.3%

Fees for services

4.3%$6.1 million

What's in fees for servicesSewer; parks and recreation and 1 more

Sewer$6.0 million
Parks and recreation$118 thousand
Parking$19 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money1.7%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

1.7%$2.4 million

Fines and other0.5%

Interest, rents and other

0.5%$770 thousand

Sayreville page →

Where the money goes

Police, fire, courts and jails34%Water, sewer, trash and utilities27%Running the government and other costs19%Parks, recreation and libraries6.5%Housing and community development6.3%All other spending6.1%

What stands out

6.3%

of Sayreville's spending goes to housing and community development.Most U.S. cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people spend nothing on this.

Full Sayreville breakdown

Spending by category100%

Police, fire, courts and jails

34%$15.9 million

What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 1 more

Police$14.6 million
Fire protection$760 thousand
Courts and legal services$495 thousand

Water, sewer, trash and utilities

27%$12.5 million

What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; garbage and solid waste and 1 more

Water supply$9.0 million
Garbage and solid waste$2.6 million
Sewer systems$1.0 million

Running the government and other costs

19%$9.0 million

What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more

Other and not broken out$5.8 million
Finance, tax collection and budgeting$1.2 million
Government buildings$1.2 million
Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$893 thousand

Parks, recreation and libraries

6.5%$3.0 million

What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation

Libraries$1.8 million
Parks and recreation$1.2 million

Housing and community development

6.3%$2.9 million

Interest on debt

5.5%$2.5 million

What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt

Interest on general debt$1.7 million
Interest on water supply debt$840 thousand

Health and hospitals

0.6%$277 thousand

What's in health and hospitalsPublic health

Public health$277 thousand

Sayreville page →

City of South Amboy

$17.8 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2022. Estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau

About 22% of this ZIP is in South Amboy.

Where the money comes from

City taxes62%Fees for services (sewer, housing)10%State tax money10%Federal tax money9.6%Fines and other8.2%

Full South Amboy breakdown

What stands out

60%

of South Amboy's money comes from property tax.A typical U.S. city, town or village of under 10,000 people gets 15%.

City taxes62%

Property tax

60%$13.0 million

Other taxes

1.9%$400 thousand

What's in other taxesOther licenses; public utility taxes and 1 more

Other licenses$308 thousand
Public utility taxes$60 thousand
Alcoholic beverage licenses$32 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services10%

Fees for services

10%$2.2 million

What's in fees for servicesSewer; housing and 2 more

Sewer$1.3 million
Housing$763 thousand
Other service charges$166 thousand
Parking$20 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money9.6%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

9.6%$2.1 million

State tax money10%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

10%$2.2 million

Fines and other8.2%

Interest, rents and other

6.6%$1.4 million

Fines

1.6%$337 thousand

South Amboy page →

Where the money goes

Running the government and other costs44%Police, fire, courts and jails26%Housing and community development15%Water, sewer, trash and utilities6.9%Sent to other local governments2.2%All other spending6.6%

What stands out

15%

of South Amboy's spending goes to housing and community development.Most U.S. cities, towns and villages of under 10,000 people spend nothing on this.

Full South Amboy breakdown

Spending by category100%

Running the government and other costs

44%$7.8 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$6.4 million
Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$515 thousand
Finance, tax collection and budgeting$486 thousand
Government buildings$412 thousand

Police, fire, courts and jails

26%$4.6 million

What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; courts and legal services and 2 more

Police$3.8 million
Courts and legal services$369 thousand
Fire protection$203 thousand
Inspections and regulation$179 thousand

Housing and community development

15%$2.7 million

Water, sewer, trash and utilities

6.9%$1.2 million

What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste and sewer systems

Garbage and solid waste$924 thousand
Sewer systems$309 thousand

Sent to other local governments

2.2%$393 thousand

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$393 thousand

Parks, recreation and libraries

2.2%$391 thousand

What's in parks, recreation and librariesLibraries and parks and recreation

Libraries$351 thousand
Parks and recreation$40 thousand

Roads, transit and parking

2.0%$359 thousand

What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways

Roads and highways$359 thousand

Interest on debt

1.9%$339 thousand

Health and hospitals

0.4%$80 thousand

What's in health and hospitalsPublic health

Public health$80 thousand

South Amboy page →

Your schools

Old Bridge Township Public Schs.

$213 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), from the New Jersey Department of Education.

About 46% of this ZIP is in Old Bridge Township Public Schs..

Where the money comes from

School district taxes63%State tax money33%Federal tax money1.9%Fines and other1.7%Fees for services0.1%

Full Old Bridge Township Public Schs. breakdown

School district taxes63%

Property tax

63%$128 million

Fees for services0.1%

Fees for services

0.1%$236 thousand

Federal tax money1.9%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

1.9%$3.9 million

State tax money33%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

33%$67.3 million

Fines and other1.7%

Interest, rents and other

1.7%$3.5 million

Old Bridge Township Public Schs. page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges96%Sent to other local governments2.5%Debt payments (principal and interest)1.3%

Full Old Bridge Township Public Schs. breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges

96%$205 million

Sent to other local governments

2.5%$5.4 million

Debt payments (principal and interest)

1.3%$2.7 million

Old Bridge Township Public Schs. page →

Sayreville Borough School District

$181 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 33% of this ZIP is in Sayreville Borough School District.

Where the money comes from

School district taxes53%State tax money43%Fines and other2.6%Fees for services (school lunches)1.4%County and local tax money0.1%

Full Sayreville Borough School District breakdown

What stands out

53%

of Sayreville Borough School District's money comes from property tax.A typical school district with 5,000 to 25,000 students gets 29%.

School district taxes53%

Property tax

53%$78.6 million

Fees for services1.4%

Fees for services

1.4%$2.0 million

What's in fees for servicesSchool lunches and other school charges

School lunches$1.3 million
Other school charges$712 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money43%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

43%$62.9 million

County and local tax money0.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments

0.1%$182 thousand

Fines and other2.6%

Interest, rents and other

2.6%$3.9 million

Sayreville Borough School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges96%Interest on debt2.6%Sent to other local governments1.4%

Full Sayreville Borough School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges

96%$174 million

What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools

Elementary and secondary schools$174 million

Interest on debt

2.6%$4.7 million

Sent to other local governments

1.4%$2.6 million

What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to school districts and sent to the state government

Sent to school districts$2.2 million
Sent to the state government$360 thousand

Sayreville Borough School District page →

South Amboy City School District

$31.0 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended June 30, 2025), from the New Jersey Department of Education.

About 22% of this ZIP is in South Amboy City School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money53%School district taxes41%Federal tax money4.0%Fines and other1.1%Fees for services0.7%

Full South Amboy City School District breakdown

School district taxes41%

Property tax

41%$12.0 million

Fees for services0.7%

Fees for services

0.7%$209 thousand

Federal tax money4.0%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

4.0%$1.2 million

State tax money53%

Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.

From the state

53%$15.8 million

Fines and other1.1%

Interest, rents and other

1.1%$337 thousand

South Amboy City School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges90%Sent to other local governments7.6%Debt payments (principal and interest)2.0%

Full South Amboy City School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges

90%$28.0 million

Sent to other local governments

7.6%$2.4 million

Debt payments (principal and interest)

2.0%$606 thousand

South Amboy City School District page →

Your state

State of New Jersey

$97.4 billion budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

Where the money comes from

State taxes50%Federal tax money30%Fees for services (tolls, college tuition)10%Fines and other9.4%Local tax money0.7%

Full New Jersey breakdown

What stands out

8.2%

of New Jersey's money comes from business income taxes.A typical state government gets 3.8%.

State taxes50%

Individual income tax

19%$18.9 billion

Sales tax

14%$14.3 billion

Other taxes

9.0%$9.08 billion

What's in other taxesOther selective sales taxes; corporation licenses and 16 more

Other selective sales taxes$2.74 billion
Corporation licenses$912 million
Occupation and business licenses$821 million
Real estate and stock transfer taxes$735 million
Motor vehicle licenses$685 million
Insurance premium taxes$627 million
Estate and gift taxes$537 million
Amusement taxes$519 million
Motor fuel taxes$472 million
Tobacco taxes$469 million
Public utility taxes$236 million
Alcoholic beverage taxes$184 million
Driver's licenses$59.6 million
Amusement licenses$47.7 million
Hunting and fishing licenses$14.3 million
Public utility licenses$10.6 million
Alcoholic beverage licenses$4.2 million
Other licenses$2.0 million

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Business income tax

8.2%$8.21 billion

Property tax

<0.1%$5.0 million

Fees for services10%

Fees for services

10%$10.2 billion

What's in fees for servicesTolls on roads and bridges; college tuition and 17 more

Tolls on roads and bridges$2.57 billion
College tuition$2.43 billion
Hospital bills$1.86 billion
Other service charges$1.67 billion
Transit fares$832 million
University housing and dining$611 million
Housing$52.0 million
Parks and recreation$50.6 million
Water$42.1 million
Ports and waterways$33.1 million
Airport$17.2 million
Road charges$14.0 million
Sewer$11.9 million
Other education charges$11.7 million
Parks, land and natural resources$9.2 million
Garbage collection$2.4 million
School lunches$757 thousand
Other school charges$185 thousand
School tuition and transportation$5 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money30%

Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.

From the federal government

30%$29.7 billion

Local tax money0.7%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From local governments

0.7%$683 million

Fines and other9.4%

Interest, rents and other

9.2%$9.28 billion

Fines

0.2%$178 million

New Jersey page →

Where the money goes

Social services29%Sent to local governments23%Schools and colleges17%Roads, transit and parking8.7%Running the government and other costs7.9%All other spending15%

Full New Jersey breakdown

Spending by category100%

Social services

29%$28.4 billion

What's in social servicesOther public welfare; unemployment and social insurance offices and 2 more

Other public welfare$28.0 billion
Unemployment and social insurance offices$305 million
Welfare institutions$102 million
Veterans' services$30.7 million

Sent to local governments

23%$22.3 billion

What's in sent to local governmentsSent to school districts; sent to local governments: elementary and secondary schools and 19 more

Sent to school districts$12.4 billion
Sent to local governments: elementary and secondary schools$4.15 billion
Sent to local governments: general support$2.21 billion
Sent to local governments: other public welfare$1.64 billion
Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$594 million
Sent to local governments: roads and highways$397 million
Sent to local governments: colleges and universities$186 million
Sent to local governments: hospitals$142 million
Sent to local governments: public health$132 million
Sent to local governments: police$86.1 million
Sent to local governments: natural resources, farming and conservation$77.5 million
Sent to local governments: prisons and jails$75.0 million
Sent to local governments: garbage and solid waste$51.0 million
Sent to local governments: parks and recreation$34.2 million
Sent to local governments: libraries$32.8 million
Sent to local governments: inspections and regulation$29.7 million
Sent to the federal government$26.0 million
Sent to local governments: courts and legal services$7.2 million
Sent to local governments: other government administration$4.6 million
Sent to local governments: sewer systems$3.9 million
Sent to local governments: housing and community development$1.4 million

Schools and colleges

17%$16.3 billion

What's in schools and collegesColleges and universities; elementary and secondary schools and 3 more

Colleges and universities$6.10 billion
Elementary and secondary schools$5.44 billion
Scholarships and other education subsidies$1.99 billion
Other education$1.86 billion
College housing, dining and bookstores$947 million

Roads, transit and parking

8.7%$8.48 billion

What's in roads, transit and parkingPublic transit; roads and highways and 3 more

Public transit$4.41 billion
Roads and highways$2.19 billion
Toll roads and bridges$1.80 billion
Ports and harbors$50.3 million
Airports$31.8 million

Running the government and other costs

7.9%$7.74 billion

What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 3 more

Other and not broken out$5.37 billion
Finance, tax collection and budgeting$1.88 billion
Other government administration$215 million
Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$209 million
Government buildings$62.6 million

Health and hospitals

5.8%$5.66 billion

What's in health and hospitalsHospitals and public health

Hospitals$3.00 billion
Public health$2.67 billion

Police, fire, courts and jails

4.3%$4.15 billion

What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; courts and legal services and 3 more

Prisons and jails$1.24 billion
Courts and legal services$1.21 billion
Police$905 million
Inspections and regulation$438 million
Probation, parole and other corrections$364 million

Interest on debt

2.4%$2.30 billion

What's in interest on debtInterest on general debt and interest on water supply debt

Interest on general debt$2.30 billion
Interest on water supply debt$664 thousand

Housing and community development

1.0%$932 million

Environment and natural resources

0.7%$704 million

What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation

Natural resources, farming and conservation$704 million

Parks, recreation and libraries

0.3%$264 million

What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries

Parks and recreation$260 million
Libraries$4.4 million

Water, sewer, trash and utilities

0.1%$127 million

What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; electric power and 2 more

Water supply$59.0 million
Electric power$38.4 million
Sewer systems$21.2 million
Garbage and solid waste$8.0 million

New Jersey page →

Sources and moreEach government's source, fiscal year and how a ZIP is matched

State of New Jersey. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Middlesex County. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Old Bridge Township. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

Old Bridge Township Public Schs.. New Jersey Department of Education, district Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (audited), fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

Borough of Sayreville. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. Most of this government's figures were estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau from a sample; the government did not report them itself.

Sayreville Borough School District. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

City of South Amboy. U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments, Finance, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. Most of this government's figures were estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau from a sample; the government did not report them itself. The Census record for this government is from the 2022 survey, the newest on file.

South Amboy City School District. New Jersey Department of Education, district Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (audited), fiscal year 2025, fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. The earlier Census figures are from U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.

How these figures are counted. New Jersey school district figures are from each district's audited Annual Comprehensive Financial Report filed with the New Jersey Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year, ended June 30, 2025, grouped into the same categories as the Census figures. They cover governmental funds (general, special revenue, capital projects, debt service) and enterprise funds such as food service, and leave out transfers between funds. Tuition paid to other districts and payments to charter schools are shown as passed on. The "Debt payments" line includes principal as well as interest, so spending can be higher than the Census figure for the same district.

How a ZIP is matched. A ZIP code is not a government boundary, so we match it to the cities, counties and school districts that overlap it, using Census Bureau geography. Where a ZIP crosses several, each one is shown with its share of the ZIP. Each government's money covers its own operations only; the others listed here are separate.

Latest recorded year. The year differs by government: each block shows the newest fiscal year on file. A Census survey year covers fiscal years ending July 1 of the year before through June 30 of that year.