San Diego, CA town hall & government
San Diego spent $7 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,099 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach San Diego's government.
Who runs San Diego
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where San Diego's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 31%
- Sales taxes 18%
- Property taxes 14%
- From the federal government 13%
- Utility sales 10%
- Interest, fines & other 9%
- From the state 3%
- Other taxes & licenses 1%
- From other local governments 1%
Who works for San Diego
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
San Diego City Unified School District
San Diego's K–12 school district. 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 62%
- State 27%
- Federal 12%
Of the $21,281 per pupil, $13,111 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 San Diego: Sweetwater Union High School District ($16,482 per pupil) · San Dieguito Union High School District ($15,720 per pupil) · Escondido Union High School District ($21,430 per pupil).
Which schools San Diego kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in San Diego 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 San Diego's government
Who represents San Diego
San Diego is represented in Congress by Senators Alex Padilla and Adam B. Schiff and Representatives Sara Jacobs, Scott H. Peters and Juan Vargas. 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.