ZIP 35243 · Vestavia Hills, AL

Nine governments run on your community's money

This page shows every government that serves ZIP 35243: 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 Alabama governments, the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, as named under Sources and more.

Where do my taxes go in 35243?
35243 is served by the State of Alabama, Jefferson County, Vestavia Hills City School District, the City of Vestavia Hills, Jefferson County Board of Education, Mountain Brook Schools, the City of Mountain Brook, the City of Birmingham and Birmingham City School District. In each one's latest recorded fiscal year, State of Alabama spent $44.6 billion (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), Jefferson County spent $1.03 billion (fiscal year ended September 30, 2025), Vestavia Hills City School District spent $123 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), City of Vestavia Hills spent $80.7 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), Jefferson County Board of Education spent $545 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2025), Mountain Brook Schools spent $102 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), City of Mountain Brook spent $63.3 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), City of Birmingham spent $780 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024) and Birmingham City School District spent $401 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2025). Each government's money is separate.

Which governments collect property tax in 35243?
Of the governments serving 35243, State of Alabama collected $621 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), Jefferson County collected $173 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2025), City of Birmingham collected $96.6 million (fiscal year ended June 30, 2024), Mountain Brook Schools collected $53.4 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), Vestavia Hills City School District collected $51.4 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023), City of Mountain Brook collected $22.1 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023) and City of Vestavia Hills collected $21.4 million (fiscal year ended September 30, 2023) in property tax. These are each government's total collections, not a bill for 35243.

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: Jefferson County, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook and Birmingham

Why not this year? Alabama governments with newer filings show school system figures from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts (for 2025). Figures for Jefferson County come from its own audited annual financial report. 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 35243

State of Alabama$621 million

1.4% of its $45.4 billion in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

Jefferson County$173 million

18% of its $970 million in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2025

City of Birmingham$96.6 million

11% of its $902 million in revenue · fiscal year ended June 30, 2024

Mountain Brook Schools$53.4 million

51% of its $106 million in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

Vestavia Hills City School District$51.4 million

38% of its $135 million in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

City of Mountain Brook$22.1 million

40% of its $55.8 million in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

City of Vestavia Hills$21.4 million

27% of its $78.1 million in revenue · fiscal year ended September 30, 2023

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

Jefferson County

$1.03 billion budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended September 30, 2025), from the county's own audited annual financial report.

About 98% of this ZIP is in Jefferson County.

Where the money comes from

County taxes53%Fees for services34%Grants from federal, state and local governments7.1%Fines and other6.0%
Full Jefferson County breakdown

County taxes53%

Sales tax
32%$311 million
Property tax
18%$173 million
Other taxes
2.8%$26.8 million

Fees for services34%

Fees for services
34%$331 million

Grants from federal, state and local governments7.1%

Grants from the federal government, the state and other local governments, which this government's report lists as one amount.

Grants from federal, state and local governments
7.1%$69.2 million

Fines and other6.0%

Interest, rents and other
5.9%$57.4 million
Fines
0.1%$1.2 million
Jefferson County page →

Where the money goes

Running the government and other costs26%Water, sewer, trash and utilities21%Debt payments (principal and interest)21%Police, fire, courts and jails12%Roads, transit and parking11%All other spending9.3%
Full Jefferson County breakdown

Spending by category100%

Running the government and other costs
26%$270 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
21%$217 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
21%$212 million
Police, fire, courts and jails
12%$126 million
Roads, transit and parking
11%$110 million
Social services
8.7%$90.1 million
Housing and community development
0.6%$6.0 million
Jefferson County page →

Your cities and towns

City of Vestavia Hills

$80.7 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended September 30, 2023.

About 47% of this ZIP is in Vestavia Hills.

Where the money comes from

City taxes80%State tax money8.8%Fines and other7.6%Fees for services (parks and recreation)2.8%County and local tax money1.2%
Full Vestavia Hills breakdown

What stands out

37%

of Vestavia Hills' money comes from sales tax.Most U.S. cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people get none.

City taxes80%

Sales tax
37%$28.6 million
Property tax
27%$21.4 million
Other taxes
16%$12.1 million
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; public utility taxes and 6 more
  • Occupation and business licenses$6.5 million
  • Public utility taxes$4.8 million
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$201 thousand
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$167 thousand
  • Other selective sales taxes$165 thousand
  • Motor fuel taxes$149 thousand
  • Motor vehicle licenses$83 thousand
  • Tobacco taxes$21 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services2.8%

Fees for services
2.8%$2.2 million
What's in fees for servicesParks and recreation and other service charges
  • Parks and recreation$1.4 million
  • Other service charges$820 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money8.8%

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

From the state
8.8%$6.9 million

County and local tax money1.2%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
1.2%$969 thousand

Fines and other7.6%

Interest, rents and other
6.3%$4.9 million
Fines
1.2%$961 thousand
Vestavia Hills page →

Where the money goes

Police, fire, courts and jails39%Roads, transit and parking21%Running the government and other costs18%Parks, recreation and libraries17%Interest on debt4.1%

What stands out

17%

of Vestavia Hills' spending goes to parks, recreation and libraries.A typical U.S. city of 10,000 to 50,000 people spends 5.6%.

Full Vestavia Hills breakdown

Spending by category100%

Police, fire, courts and jails
39%$31.8 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
  • Police$16.2 million
  • Fire protection$14.1 million
  • Inspections and regulation$797 thousand
  • Courts and legal services$698 thousand
Roads, transit and parking
21%$17.1 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
  • Roads and highways$17.1 million
Running the government and other costs
18%$14.3 million
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology) and finance, tax collection and budgeting
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$12.1 million
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$2.1 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
17%$14.1 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$11.1 million
  • Libraries$3.0 million
Interest on debt
4.1%$3.3 million
Vestavia Hills page →

City of Mountain Brook

$63.3 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended September 30, 2023.

About 16% of this ZIP is in Mountain Brook.

Where the money comes from

City taxes87%Fines and other8.8%Fees for services (parks and recreation, garbage collection)3.0%State tax money1.1%Federal tax money0.3%
Full Mountain Brook breakdown

What stands out

29%

of Mountain Brook's money comes from sales tax.Most U.S. cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people get none.

City taxes87%

Property tax
40%$22.1 million
Sales tax
29%$15.9 million
Other taxes
19%$10.3 million
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; other licenses and 7 more
  • Occupation and business licenses$3.5 million
  • Other licenses$2.2 million
  • Public utility taxes$1.7 million
  • Other selective sales taxes$1.3 million
  • Motor fuel taxes$886 thousand
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$358 thousand
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$261 thousand
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$96 thousand
  • Tobacco taxes$11 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services3.0%

Fees for services
3.0%$1.7 million
What's in fees for servicesOther service charges; parks and recreation and 1 more
  • Other service charges$1.0 million
  • Parks and recreation$609 thousand
  • Garbage collection$32 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money0.3%

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

From the federal government
0.3%$184 thousand

State tax money1.1%

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

From the state
1.1%$614 thousand

County and local tax money<0.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
<0.1%$3 thousand

Fines and other8.8%

Interest, rents and other
7.3%$4.1 million
Fines
1.4%$807 thousand
Mountain Brook page →

Where the money goes

Police, fire, courts and jails36%Roads, transit and parking25%Parks, recreation and libraries19%Running the government and other costs14%Water, sewer, trash and utilities3.9%All other spending2.2%

What stands out

19%

of Mountain Brook's spending goes to parks, recreation and libraries.A typical U.S. city of 10,000 to 50,000 people spends 5.6%.

Full Mountain Brook breakdown

Spending by category100%

Police, fire, courts and jails
36%$22.7 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsFire protection; police and 3 more
  • Fire protection$11.5 million
  • Police$10.0 million
  • Inspections and regulation$708 thousand
  • Courts and legal services$365 thousand
  • Prisons and jails$134 thousand
Roads, transit and parking
25%$15.5 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
  • Roads and highways$15.5 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
19%$12.3 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$8.6 million
  • Libraries$3.7 million
Running the government and other costs
14%$8.8 million
What's in running the government and other costsCentral staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology); finance, tax collection and budgeting and 1 more
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$4.1 million
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$2.4 million
  • Other and not broken out$2.3 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
3.9%$2.5 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesGarbage and solid waste
  • Garbage and solid waste$2.5 million
Sent to other local governments
1.9%$1.2 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$1.2 million
Interest on debt
0.3%$221 thousand
Mountain Brook page →

City of Birmingham

$780 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended June 30, 2024.

About 14% of this ZIP is in Birmingham.

Where the money comes from

City taxes61%Fees for services (water, parking)25%Fines and other5.6%Federal tax money4.1%State tax money2.4%County and local tax money1.1%
Full Birmingham breakdown

What stands out

13%

of Birmingham's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people get none.

City taxes61%

Sales tax
25%$221 million
Individual income tax
13%$121 million
Other taxes
13%$115 million
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; public utility taxes and 4 more
  • Occupation and business licenses$66.4 million
  • Public utility taxes$18.0 million
  • Other licenses$14.7 million
  • Other selective sales taxes$11.4 million
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$2.5 million
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$2.3 million

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Property tax
11%$96.6 million

Fees for services25%

Fees for services
25%$230 million
What's in fees for servicesWater; other service charges and 3 more
  • Water$207 million
  • Other service charges$15.7 million
  • Parking$3.3 million
  • Parks and recreation$2.2 million
  • Road charges$973 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money4.1%

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

From the federal government
4.1%$36.8 million

State tax money2.4%

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

From the state
2.4%$21.5 million

County and local tax money1.1%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
1.1%$9.8 million

Fines and other5.6%

Interest, rents and other
5.4%$48.8 million
Fines
0.2%$1.4 million
Birmingham page →

Where the money goes

Police, fire, courts and jails29%Water, sewer, trash and utilities26%Running the government and other costs25%Roads, transit and parking6.5%Interest on debt5.8%All other spending7.9%

What stands out

25%

of Birmingham's spending goes to running the government and other costs.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 16%.

Full Birmingham breakdown

Spending by category100%

Police, fire, courts and jails
29%$226 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
  • Police$109 million
  • Fire protection$88.7 million
  • Courts and legal services$15.5 million
  • Inspections and regulation$11.9 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
26%$204 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply and garbage and solid waste
  • Water supply$164 million
  • Garbage and solid waste$39.9 million
Running the government and other costs
25%$192 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$135 million
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$26.3 million
  • Government buildings$15.8 million
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$15.2 million
Roads, transit and parking
6.5%$51.0 million
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways and public transit
  • Roads and highways$38.2 million
  • Public transit$12.8 million
Interest on debt
5.8%$45.5 million
What's in interest on debtInterest on water supply debt and interest on general debt
  • Interest on water supply debt$28.7 million
  • Interest on general debt$16.8 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
4.2%$32.7 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$18.7 million
  • Libraries$14.1 million
Housing and community development
3.7%$29.1 million
Birmingham page →

Your schools

Vestavia Hills City School District

$123 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended September 30, 2023.

About 48% of this ZIP is in Vestavia Hills City School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money46%School district taxes38%Fines and other6.4%Fees for services (school lunches, school tuition and transportation)5.2%County and local tax money4.0%

What stands out

5.2%

of Vestavia Hills City School District's money comes from fees for services such as water, sewer and parking.A typical school district with 5,000 to 25,000 students gets 1.5%.

Full Vestavia Hills City School District breakdown

School district taxes38%

Property tax
38%$51.4 million
Other taxes
<0.1%$119 thousand
What's in other taxesOther taxes not classified elsewhere
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$119 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services5.2%

Fees for services
5.2%$7.0 million
What's in fees for servicesOther school charges; school lunches and 1 more
  • Other school charges$4.2 million
  • School lunches$2.7 million
  • School tuition and transportation$71 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money46%

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

From the state
46%$62.8 million

County and local tax money4.0%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
4.0%$5.5 million

Fines and other6.4%

Interest, rents and other
6.4%$8.7 million
Fines
<0.1%$2 thousand
Vestavia Hills City School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges98%Interest on debt2.1%Sent to other local governments<0.1%
Full Vestavia Hills City School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
98%$120 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools$120 million
Interest on debt
2.1%$2.6 million
Sent to other local governments
<0.1%$64 thousand
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to school districts
  • Sent to school districts$64 thousand
Vestavia Hills City School District page →

Jefferson County Board of Education

$545 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended September 30, 2025), from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.

About 20% of this ZIP is in Jefferson County Board of Education.

Where the money comes from

State tax money60%School district taxes30%Federal tax money11%
Full Jefferson County Board of Education breakdown

School district taxes30%

Local taxes and other local revenue
30%$173 million

Federal tax money11%

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

From the federal government
11%$61.2 million

State tax money60%

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

From the state
60%$345 million
Jefferson County Board of Education page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges96%Debt payments (principal and interest)3.6%
Full Jefferson County Board of Education breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
96%$525 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
3.6%$19.6 million
Jefferson County Board of Education page →

Mountain Brook Schools

$102 million budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended September 30, 2023.

About 16% of this ZIP is in Mountain Brook Schools.

Where the money comes from

School district taxes51%State tax money33%Fines and other8.0%Fees for services (school lunches, school tuition and transportation)7.3%County and local tax money0.8%
Full Mountain Brook Schools breakdown

What stands out

51%

of Mountain Brook Schools' money comes from property tax.A typical school district with fewer than 5,000 students gets 28%.

School district taxes51%

Property tax
51%$53.4 million
Other taxes
<0.1%$1 thousand
What's in other taxesOther taxes not classified elsewhere
  • Other taxes not classified elsewhere$1 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Fees for services7.3%

Fees for services
7.3%$7.7 million
What's in fees for servicesOther school charges; school lunches and 1 more
  • Other school charges$5.1 million
  • School lunches$2.5 million
  • School tuition and transportation$10 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

State tax money33%

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

From the state
33%$35.2 million

County and local tax money0.8%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From the county and other local governments
0.8%$866 thousand

Fines and other8.0%

Interest, rents and other
8.0%$8.5 million
Fines
<0.1%$4 thousand
Mountain Brook Schools page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges98%Interest on debt2.3%Sent to other local governments<0.1%
Full Mountain Brook Schools breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
98%$99.3 million
What's in schools and collegesElementary and secondary schools
  • Elementary and secondary schools$99.3 million
Interest on debt
2.3%$2.3 million
Sent to other local governments
<0.1%$80 thousand
What's in sent to other local governmentsSent to school districts
  • Sent to school districts$80 thousand
Mountain Brook Schools page →

Birmingham City School District

$401 million budget in fiscal year 2025 (ended September 30, 2025), from the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts.

About 14% of this ZIP is in Birmingham City School District.

Where the money comes from

State tax money48%School district taxes38%Federal tax money14%
Full Birmingham City School District breakdown

School district taxes38%

Local taxes and other local revenue
38%$150 million

Federal tax money14%

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

From the federal government
14%$53.4 million

State tax money48%

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

From the state
48%$191 million
Birmingham City School District page →

Where the money goes

Schools and colleges100%Debt payments (principal and interest)0.3%
Full Birmingham City School District breakdown

Spending by category100%

Schools and colleges
100%$399 million
Debt payments (principal and interest)
0.3%$1.1 million
Birmingham City School District page →

Your state

State of Alabama

$44.6 billion budget in the latest fiscal year on record, which ended September 30, 2023.

Where the money comes from

Federal tax money37%State taxes37%Fees for services (hospital bills, college tuition)19%Fines and other6.2%Local tax money0.5%

What stands out

19%

of Alabama's money comes from fees for services such as water, sewer and parking.A typical state government gets 10%.

Full Alabama breakdown

State taxes37%

Individual income tax
12%$5.28 billion
Sales tax
10%$4.59 billion
Other taxes
9.2%$4.18 billion
What's in other taxesMotor fuel taxes; public utility taxes and 14 more
  • Motor fuel taxes$972 million
  • Public utility taxes$773 million
  • Other selective sales taxes$705 million
  • Insurance premium taxes$613 million
  • Alcoholic beverage taxes$284 million
  • Motor vehicle licenses$230 million
  • Corporation licenses$219 million
  • Tobacco taxes$132 million
  • Occupation and business licenses$71.1 million
  • Real estate and stock transfer taxes$54.7 million
  • Driver's licenses$47.9 million
  • Severance taxes$38.3 million
  • Hunting and fishing licenses$25.4 million
  • Public utility licenses$14.7 million
  • Alcoholic beverage licenses$4.6 million
  • Other licenses$1 thousand

Amounts are by Census tax category.

Business income tax
4.8%$2.18 billion
Property tax
1.4%$621 million

Fees for services19%

Fees for services
19%$8.53 billion
What's in fees for servicesHospital bills; college tuition and 11 more
  • Hospital bills$4.46 billion
  • College tuition$2.37 billion
  • University housing and dining$680 million
  • Liquor stores$530 million
  • Ports and waterways$197 million
  • Other service charges$141 million
  • Parks and recreation$59.2 million
  • Housing$46.4 million
  • Other education charges$29.7 million
  • Parks, land and natural resources$10.9 million
  • Garbage collection$9.0 million
  • Road charges$1.1 million
  • Parking$580 thousand

Amounts are by Census type of charge.

Federal tax money37%

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

From the federal government
37%$16.9 billion

Local tax money0.5%

Money passed on by the county or other local governments.

From local governments
0.5%$224 million

Fines and other6.2%

Interest, rents and other
5.9%$2.66 billion
Fines
0.3%$148 million
Alabama page →

Where the money goes

Sent to local governments29%Schools and colleges22%Social services22%Health and hospitals12%Roads, transit and parking4.9%All other spending10%

What stands out

12%

of Alabama's spending goes to health services and hospitals.A typical state government spends 5.7%.

Full Alabama breakdown

Spending by category100%

Sent to local governments
29%$12.7 billion
What's in sent to local governmentsSent to school districts; sent to local governments: hospitals and 17 more
  • Sent to school districts$8.98 billion
  • Sent to local governments: hospitals$1.00 billion
  • Sent to local governments: other and not broken out$847 million
  • Sent to local governments: general support$476 million
  • Sent to local governments: public health$310 million
  • Sent to local governments: other education$210 million
  • Sent to local governments: other public welfare$206 million
  • Sent to local governments: roads and highways$190 million
  • Sent to local governments: inspections and regulation$173 million
  • Sent to local governments: other government administration$131 million
  • Sent to local governments: natural resources, farming and conservation$50.8 million
  • Sent to local governments: airports$44.0 million
  • Sent to local governments: housing and community development$37.4 million
  • Sent to local governments: prisons and jails$28.9 million
  • Sent to local governments: parks and recreation$12.9 million
  • Sent to local governments: police$10.7 million
  • Sent to local governments: libraries$8.0 million
  • Sent to local governments: courts and legal services$3.2 million
  • Sent to local governments: probation, parole and other corrections$2.7 million
Schools and colleges
22%$10.0 billion
What's in schools and collegesColleges and universities; scholarships and other education subsidies and 2 more
  • Colleges and universities$7.33 billion
  • Scholarships and other education subsidies$1.13 billion
  • College housing, dining and bookstores$964 million
  • Other education$577 million
Social services
22%$9.87 billion
What's in social servicesOther public welfare; unemployment and social insurance offices and 2 more
  • Other public welfare$9.66 billion
  • Unemployment and social insurance offices$118 million
  • Welfare institutions$81.3 million
  • Veterans' services$12.8 million
Health and hospitals
12%$5.21 billion
What's in health and hospitalsHospitals and public health
  • Hospitals$4.64 billion
  • Public health$570 million
Roads, transit and parking
4.9%$2.18 billion
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways; ports and harbors and 1 more
  • Roads and highways$1.97 billion
  • Ports and harbors$207 million
  • Airports$813 thousand
Police, fire, courts and jails
3.7%$1.65 billion
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPrisons and jails; courts and legal services and 3 more
  • Prisons and jails$808 million
  • Courts and legal services$361 million
  • Police$240 million
  • Inspections and regulation$142 million
  • Probation, parole and other corrections$104 million
Running the government and other costs
3.5%$1.56 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$723 million
  • Finance, tax collection and budgeting$599 million
  • Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$144 million
  • Other government administration$87.8 million
  • Government buildings$7.7 million
Water, sewer, trash and utilities
1.5%$657 million
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesLiquor stores and water supply
  • Liquor stores$657 million
  • Water supply$95 thousand
Interest on debt
0.7%$327 million
Environment and natural resources
0.6%$266 million
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
  • Natural resources, farming and conservation$266 million
Parks, recreation and libraries
0.2%$89.2 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
  • Parks and recreation$79.9 million
  • Libraries$9.3 million
Housing and community development
0.1%$47.3 million
Alabama page →
Sources and moreEach government's source, fiscal year and how a ZIP is matched

State of Alabama. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

Jefferson County. Jefferson County, Alabama, Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, fiscal year ended September 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 September 30, 2023.

Vestavia Hills City School District. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

City of Vestavia Hills. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

Jefferson County Board of Education. Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, audited Board of Education financial statements, fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, fiscal year ended September 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 September 30, 2023.

Mountain Brook Schools. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

City of Mountain Brook. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

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

Birmingham City School District. Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, audited Board of Education financial statements, fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, fiscal year ended September 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 September 30, 2023.

How these figures are counted. Alabama school system figures are from each system's audited financial statements, as published by the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, for the fiscal year ended September 30 (2025 for most systems). They cover governmental funds. The audit reports local taxes and other local revenue as one amount, so it is shown here as one line. Transfers between funds and borrowing are not counted, and spending includes construction. Spending is grouped as education and debt payments.

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.