Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Latest Data: 2021

This data is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Annual State Survey of Government Finances” which gives the state governments’ general expenditures for each function the government performs. Parks and recreation expenditures are defined as “provision and support of recreational and cultural-scientific facilities maintained for the benefit of residents and visitors.” (U.S. Bureau of the Census Government Finance and Employment Classification Manual Ch. 5, p. 57)

Parks and recreation expenditures refers to the total amount spent by the state on parks and recreation given in millions.

The parks and recreation expenditures percentage is calculated as the amount spent on parks and recreation divided by total government expenditures. Parks and recreation expenditures per capita is calculated as the amount spent on parks and recreation divided by the state population in the given year.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, “Expenditures comprise all amounts of money paid out by a government during its fiscal year, with some exceptions. Statistics on state government finance include measurement of expenditures by character (e.g., current operations, capital outlay, intergovernmental expenditures, and so on) and function (e.g., education, health, public welfare, natural resources, and so on). Expenditure does not include a government's payment of its debt, or purchases of investment securities, loans it has granted, agency or private trust transactions, nor correcting transactions” (State Government Finances Methodology).