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

Jonesboro, AR

Population: 78,379 (2022) · Small Cities (50K–100K)

D
39/100

Below average — significant fiscal challenges in multiple areas

Total Spending
$709.8M
Per Capita
$9,056
Total Revenue
$245.3M
Total Debt
$228.8M

Spending Breakdown

Other
40.4%$286.8M
Housing & Community Development
22.7%$161.3M
Utilities
16.8%$119.1M
Public Welfare
7.0%$49.6M
Parks & Recreation
5.8%$41.0M
Interest on Debt
2.1%$14.9M
Sewerage
1.3%$9.6M
Highways & Roads
1.3%$9.5M
Hospitals
1.2%$8.4M
Fire Protection
0.9%$6.3M
Education
0.5%$3.3M

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

Property Tax
0.8%$2.0M
Sales Tax
3.1%$7.6M
Income Tax
0.4%$932K
Intergovernmental
144.5%$354.5M
Charges & Fees
52.4%$128.5M
Other
44.0%$107.9M

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection$80/person
Highways & Roads$121/person
Parks & Recreation$523/person
Education$42/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)17/100
Debt Burden (20%)0/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)100/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)0/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Debt Overview

Total Debt$228.8M
Long-Term Debt$53.3M
Debt Per Capita$2,919
Cash & Securities$6.3M

Compare Cities

See how Jonesboro stacks up against another city.

vs Little Rock, ARvs Fayetteville, ARvs Fort Smith, AR
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in Arkansas

Little Rock, AR

Pop. 202K

A
Total Spending
$3.6B
Per Capita
$17,625

Fayetteville, AR

Pop. 95K

C
Total Spending
$1.2B
Per Capita
$12,502

Fort Smith, AR

Pop. 89K

B
Total Spending
$1.3B
Per Capita
$14,015

Springdale, AR

Pop. 87K

B
Total Spending
$869.2M
Per Capita
$10,025

Compare Jonesboro With

Little Rock, AR

Spending: $17,625/person · Grade: A

Fayetteville, AR

Spending: $12,502/person · Grade: C

Fort Smith, AR

Spending: $14,015/person · Grade: B

Springdale, AR

Spending: $10,025/person · Grade: B

Frequently Asked Questions

Jonesboro, AR spends $9,056 per resident, based on total expenditures of $709.8M for a population of 78,379. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of D (39/100).

Jonesboro, AR has total expenditures of $709.8M and total revenue of $245.3M. The city carries $228.8M in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

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

Jonesboro, AR has a Fiscal Health Score of D (39/100). 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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