Seattle, WA town hall & government
Seattle spent $5.7 billion in the year to December 31, 2024, about $7,611 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Seattle's government.
Who runs Seattle
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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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 Seattle's money goes
Seattle runs its own schools, so school spending is part of its budget. Comparisons are with other Washington cities.
Where the money comes from
- Utility sales 24%
- Fees & charges 20%
- Sales taxes 15%
- Property taxes 15%
- Other taxes & licenses 11%
- Interest, fines & other 8%
- From the state 4%
- From the federal government 3%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Seattle
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Seattle Public Schools
Seattle's K–12 school district. The schools are run by Seattle, so this money is part of the budget above.
Where the district's money comes from Washington districts overall: 27% local, 66% state, 8% federal
- Local 44%
- State 51%
- Federal 5%
Of the $22,227 per pupil, $13,007 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 Seattle kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Seattle 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 Seattle's government
Who represents Seattle
Seattle is represented in Congress by Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Adam Smith. Bob Ferguson 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.