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

Decatur, AL vs Birmingham, AL

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

Summary

Birmingham spends 44.2% more per capita than Decatur ($13,605/person difference). Birmingham, AL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 55/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Decatur, AL
Pop. 57,525
D
46/100
Budget Balance60
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency69
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Birmingham, AL
Pop. 200,431
C
55/100
Budget Balance100
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Decatur
Birmingham
Total Spending
$988.6M
$6.2B
Spending / Capita
$17,185
$30,790
Total Revenue
$2.2B
$16.0B
Revenue / Capita
$37,427
$79,635
Total Debt
$74.2M
$565.8M
Debt / Capita
$1,290
$2,823
Population
57,525
200,431
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Decatur$0
Birmingham$22
Fire Protection
Decatur$254
Birmingham$1,152
Highways & Roads
Decatur$95
Birmingham$848
Parks & Recreation
Decatur$2,612
Birmingham$1,823
Education
Decatur$43
Birmingham$0
Health
Decatur$66
Birmingham$683

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

DecaturBirmingham
Property Tax
$855
$44
Sales Tax
$975
$281
Income Tax
$1,360
$0
Intergovernmental
$37,427
$468
Charges & Fees
$2,804
$10,460
Other
$4,387
$734

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

DecaturBirmingham
Police
$0
$22
Fire Protection
$254
$1,152
Highways & Roads
$95
$848
Education
$43
$0
Public Welfare
$1,023
$2,110
Health
$66
$683
Hospitals
$1,729
$1,505
Parks & Recreation
$2,612
$1,823
Housing
$2,549
$5,487
Sewerage
$164
$594
Utilities
$3,362
$5,451
Other
$5,289
$11,115
D
Decatur, AL
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health
C
Birmingham, AL
Fiscal Health Score: 55/100
Average fiscal health

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