State and local government current receipts: Interest payments

B111RC1Q027SBEA • Economic Data from Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED)

Latest Value

250.49

Year-over-Year Change

6.89%

Date Range

1/1/1947 - 4/1/2025

Summary

This economic trend measures state and local government interest payments, a key indicator of public sector financial obligations and debt servicing costs.

Analysis & Context

This economic indicator provides valuable insights into current market conditions and economic trends. The data is updated regularly by the Federal Reserve and represents one of the most reliable sources for economic analysis.

Understanding this metric helps economists, policymakers, and investors make informed decisions about economic conditions and future trends. The interactive chart above allows you to explore historical patterns and identify key trends over time.

About This Dataset

State and local government current receipts: Interest payments represents the total interest paid by state and local governments on outstanding debt, including bonds, loans, and other financial instruments. This metric is used by economists and policymakers to assess the fiscal health and debt burdens of sub-national governments.

Methodology

The data is collected through surveys of state and local government entities by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Historical Context

Monitoring interest payments helps inform policy decisions related to public infrastructure financing, budgeting, and debt management.

Key Facts

  • State and local governments paid $485 billion in interest in 2021.
  • Interest payments account for around 5% of total state/local government expenditures.
  • Interest costs have risen in recent years due to increasing public debt levels.

FAQs

Q: What does this economic trend measure?

A: This trend measures the total interest payments made by state and local governments on outstanding debt, including bonds, loans, and other financial instruments.

Q: Why is this trend relevant for users or analysts?

A: Monitoring state and local government interest payments is important for assessing the fiscal health and debt burdens of sub-national governments, which informs policy decisions related to infrastructure financing, budgeting, and debt management.

Q: How is this data collected or calculated?

A: The data is collected through surveys of state and local government entities by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Q: How is this trend used in economic policy?

A: Policymakers and economists use this data to analyze the financial obligations and debt servicing costs of state and local governments, which informs decisions around public infrastructure financing, budgeting, and debt management.

Q: Are there update delays or limitations?

A: The data is published quarterly with a lag of several months, so there may be delays in accessing the most recent information.

Related Trends

Citation

U.S. Federal Reserve, State and local government current receipts: Interest payments (B111RC1Q027SBEA), retrieved from FRED.