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

Huntsville, AL

Population: 215,025 (2022) · Mid-Size Cities (100K–250K)

C
58/100

Average fiscal health — some areas of concern

Total Spending
$3.4B
Per Capita
$16,033
Total Revenue
$9.5B
Total Debt
$275.0M

Spending Breakdown

Other
39.0%$1.3B
Utilities
18.6%$641.4M
Housing & Community Development
16.3%$561.5M
Parks & Recreation
10.0%$344.0M
Public Welfare
4.4%$152.2M
Hospitals
4.3%$148.7M
Fire Protection
4.0%$137.0M
Health
2.2%$76.2M
Sewerage
0.8%$29.3M
Education
0.4%$12.8M

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
1.9%$179.1M
Income Tax
1.5%$141.0M
Intergovernmental
10.2%$970.0M
Charges & Fees
5.8%$550.0M
Other
6.0%$569.1M

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection$637/person
Parks & Recreation$1,600/person
Education$60/person
Health$354/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)62/100
Debt Burden (20%)0/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)85/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)100/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Debt Overview

Total Debt$275.0M
Long-Term Debt$0
Debt Per Capita$1,279
Cash & Securities$25.1M

Compare Cities

See how Huntsville stacks up against another city.

vs Birmingham, ALvs Montgomery, ALvs Mobile, AL
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in Alabama

Birmingham, AL

Pop. 200K

C
Total Spending
$6.2B
Per Capita
$30,790

Montgomery, AL

Pop. 200K

C
Total Spending
$946.6M
Per Capita
$4,738

Mobile, AL

Pop. 186K

C
Total Spending
$2.9B
Per Capita
$15,777

Tuscaloosa, AL

Pop. 106K

C
Total Spending
$1.2B
Per Capita
$10,894

Compare Huntsville With

Birmingham, AL

Spending: $30,790/person · Grade: C

Montgomery, AL

Spending: $4,738/person · Grade: C

Mobile, AL

Spending: $15,777/person · Grade: C

Tuscaloosa, AL

Spending: $10,894/person · Grade: C

Frequently Asked Questions

Huntsville, AL spends $16,033 per resident, based on total expenditures of $3.4B for a population of 215,025. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of C (58/100).

Huntsville, AL has total expenditures of $3.4B and total revenue of $9.5B. The city carries $275.0M in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

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

Huntsville, AL has a Fiscal Health Score of C (58/100). 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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