Memphis, TN town hall & government
Memphis spent $3.2 billion in the year to June 30, 2024, about $5,192 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Memphis's government.
Who runs Memphis
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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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 Memphis's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 49%
- From the state 13%
- Fees & charges 10%
- Sales taxes 8%
- Property taxes 8%
- Interest, fines & other 7%
- From other local governments 3%
- From the federal government 2%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
Who works for Memphis
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Shelby County School District
Memphis'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 Tennessee districts overall: 40% local, 44% state, 16% federal
- Local 33%
- State 43%
- Federal 25%
Of the $14,576 per pupil, $7,925 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.
Which schools Memphis kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Memphis 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 Memphis's government
Who represents Memphis
Memphis is represented in Congress by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty and Representatives Steve Cohen and David Kustoff. Bill Lee 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.