2009

This report documents the change in locally generated revenues of 98 North Carolina counties* and the 30 largest N.C. cities between 2002 and 2007. Locally generated revenues increased faster than population and inflation in 96 of 98 counties and 24 of 30 cities. In Union County, revenue increased 48 percent faster than population and inflation over five years. For that reason, many counties and cities are having financial difficulties because they have spent taxpayer revenues on unnecessary or low-priority projects.

RALEIGH — Asheville‘s city government revenue grew 23 percent faster than population and inflation growth would have predicted from 2002 to 2007. A family of four would have needed an…

RALEIGH — Raleigh‘s city government revenue grew 22 percent faster than population and inflation growth would have predicted from 2002 to 2007. A family of four would have needed an…

RALEIGH — While city government growth in Wilmington tracked inflation and population growth pretty closely from 2002 to 2007, Jacksonville‘s revenues climbed 24 percent faster than inflation and population. A…

RALEIGH — Charlotte‘s city government revenue grew 18 percent faster than population and inflation growth would have predicted from 2002 to 2007. A family of four would have needed an…

RALEIGH — Local governments across North Carolina tended to grow faster than inflation plus population growth would have predicted from 2002 to 2007. But Fayetteville‘s major 2005 annexation skews its…

RALEIGH — Local taxes and fees in Hickory totaled about $1,891 per person in the 2007 budget year, ranking the city No. 13 out of North Carolina’s 31 largest cities…

RALEIGH — Local taxes and fees in New Bern totaled about $1,729 per person in the 2007 budget year, and the city dropped three spots on a list ranking North…

RALEIGH — Local taxes and fees in Rocky Mount totaled about $1,530 per person in the 2007 budget year, ranking the city No. 26 out of North Carolina’s 31 largest…

County and municipal governments provide many key services while taking in billions of dollars in revenue. Their roles grow as state government keeps more local funding sources and shifts more taxing power to localities. Still, finding comparative data is hard. That's why this report provides information about how much local government costs in every city and county in North Carolina.