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

Madison, AL vs Decatur, AL

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

Summary

Madison spends 51.4% more per capita than Decatur ($8,830/person difference). Decatur, AL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (D, 46/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Madison, AL
Pop. 56,967
D
44/100
Budget Balance7
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency11
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50
City B
Decatur, AL
Pop. 57,525
D
46/100
Budget Balance60
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency69
Revenue Diversity0
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Madison
Decatur
Total Spending
$1.5B
$988.6M
Spending / Capita
$26,015
$17,185
Total Revenue
$494.6M
$2.2B
Revenue / Capita
$8,683
$37,427
Total Debt
$0
$74.2M
Debt / Capita
$0
$1,290
Population
56,967
57,525
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Madison$2,061
Decatur$0
Fire Protection
Madison$2,129
Decatur$254
Highways & Roads
Madison$0
Decatur$95
Parks & Recreation
Madison$799
Decatur$2,612
Education
Madison$0
Decatur$43
Health
Madison$0
Decatur$66

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonDecatur
Property Tax
$73
$855
Sales Tax
$107
$975
Income Tax
$2,566
$1,360
Intergovernmental
$8,683
$37,427
Charges & Fees
$3,300
$2,804
Other
$4,323
$4,387

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

MadisonDecatur
Police
$2,061
$0
Fire Protection
$2,129
$254
Highways & Roads
$0
$95
Education
$0
$43
Public Welfare
$5,542
$1,023
Health
$0
$66
Hospitals
$0
$1,729
Parks & Recreation
$799
$2,612
Housing
$5,194
$2,549
Sewerage
$0
$164
Utilities
$3,593
$3,362
Other
$6,698
$5,289
D
Madison, AL
Fiscal Health Score: 44/100
Below average fiscal health
D
Decatur, AL
Fiscal Health Score: 46/100
Below average fiscal health

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