Carlsbad, CA town hall & government
Carlsbad spent $334.6 million in the year to June 30, 2024, about $2,931 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Carlsbad's government.
Where Carlsbad's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Sales taxes 25%
- Property taxes 23%
- Interest, fines & other 15%
- Fees & charges 14%
- Utility sales 12%
- From the federal government 4%
- Other taxes & licenses 3%
- From the state 3%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Carlsbad
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
San Dieguito Union High School District
Carlsbad's middle and high school district, shared with Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, San Marcos and San Diego. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal
- Local 83%
- State 15%
- Federal 3%
Of the $15,720 per pupil, $9,023 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Carlsbad: Carlsbad Unified School District ($15,702 per pupil) · Encinitas Union Elementary School District ($18,373 per pupil) · San Marcos Unified School District ($16,525 per pupil).
Which schools Carlsbad kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Carlsbad pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Carlsbad's government
Who represents Carlsbad
Carlsbad is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representative Mike Levin. Gavin Newsom is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.