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

Dearborn, MI vs Sterling Heights, MI

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Dearborn spends 37.6% more per capita than Sterling Heights ($4,723/person difference). Sterling Heights, MI has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 75/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Dearborn, MI
Pop. 108,414
B
65/100
Budget Balance52
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency78
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Sterling Heights, MI
Pop. 133,744
B
75/100
Budget Balance79
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency100
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Dearborn
Sterling Heights
Total Spending
$1.9B
$1.7B
Spending / Capita
$17,273
$12,550
Total Revenue
$2.6B
$2.4B
Revenue / Capita
$23,576
$17,646
Total Debt
$28.6M
$0
Debt / Capita
$264
$0
Population
108,414
133,744
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection
Dearborn$1,938
Sterling Heights$1,634
Highways & Roads
Dearborn$21
Sterling Heights$185
Parks & Recreation
Dearborn$1,639
Sterling Heights$11
Health
Dearborn$492
Sterling Heights$656

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DearbornSterling Heights
Sales Tax
$756
$0
Intergovernmental
$23,576
$17,646
Charges & Fees
$2,326
$1,696
Other
$3,543
$3,682

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DearbornSterling Heights
Fire Protection
$1,938
$1,634
Highways & Roads
$21
$185
Public Welfare
$1,485
$761
Health
$492
$656
Hospitals
$222
$66
Parks & Recreation
$1,639
$11
Housing
$3,896
$2,747
Sewerage
$219
$159
Utilities
$1,958
$2,756
Interest on Debt
$35
$0
Other
$5,368
$3,575
B
Dearborn, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 65/100
Good fiscal health
B
Sterling Heights, MI
Fiscal Health Score: 75/100
Good fiscal health

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