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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Elizabeth, NJ

Population: 135,665 (2022) · Mid-Size Cities (100K–250K)

C
61/100

Average fiscal health — some areas of concern

Total Spending
$2.9B
Per Capita
$21,067
Total Revenue
$1.8B
Total Debt
$0

Spending Breakdown

Other
48.6%$1.4B
Housing & Community Development
17.9%$511.1M
Hospitals
16.1%$459.4M
Parks & Recreation
4.7%$133.0M
Utilities
4.4%$125.9M
Highways & Roads
2.8%$81.2M
Fire Protection
2.1%$59.3M
Health
1.6%$45.0M
Public Welfare
1.1%$30.5M
Sewerage
0.8%$24.1M

Spending data sourced from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State & Local Government Finances. Per-capita comparisons use the Lincoln Institute's Fiscally Standardized Cities methodology for fair cross-city benchmarking.

Revenue Sources

Sales Tax
4.0%$71.6M
Income Tax
0.2%$3.3M
Intergovernmental
7.8%$138.6M
Charges & Fees
17.8%$314.7M

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection$437/person
Highways & Roads$599/person
Parks & Recreation$980/person
Health$332/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)10/100
Debt Burden (20%)100/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)55/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)100/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Compare Cities

See how Elizabeth stacks up against another city.

vs Newark, NJvs Jersey City, NJvs Paterson, NJ
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in New Jersey

Newark, NJ

Pop. 307K

C
Total Spending
$6.2B
Per Capita
$20,014

Jersey City, NJ

Pop. 288K

B
Total Spending
$6.1B
Per Capita
$21,136

Paterson, NJ

Pop. 158K

C
Total Spending
$2.5B
Per Capita
$16,110

Toms River, NJ

Pop. 93K

A
Total Spending
$921.9M
Per Capita
$9,931

Compare Elizabeth With

Newark, NJ

Spending: $20,014/person · Grade: C

Jersey City, NJ

Spending: $21,136/person · Grade: B

Paterson, NJ

Spending: $16,110/person · Grade: C

Toms River, NJ

Spending: $9,931/person · Grade: A

Frequently Asked Questions

Elizabeth, NJ spends $21,067 per resident, based on total expenditures of $2.9B for a population of 135,665. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of C (61/100).

Elizabeth, NJ has total expenditures of $2.9B and total revenue of $1.8B. The city carries $0 in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

Elizabeth, NJ employs 0 government workers, of which 0 are full-time. The average government salary is $0, with 0.0 employees per 10,000 residents.

Elizabeth, NJ has a Fiscal Health Score of C (61/100). This score evaluates budget balance, debt burden, pension funding, spending efficiency, revenue diversity, and 3-year fiscal trajectory compared to peer cities of similar population.

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