Government budget and revenue in Allentown, Pennsylvania: official figures
Allentown's city government took in $227.69 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,820 for each of its 125,094 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 70th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Allentown spend and on what?
It spent $216.41 million in the same year, $1,730 per resident, the 80th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were police (20.7%), fire protection (12.0%) and roads and highways (8.2%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Allentown collect per resident?
Taxes raised $108.57 million ($868 per resident, the 165th lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 47.7% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Allentown rely on?
Of Allentown's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 36.3%, individual income tax 43.8%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Allentown's property tax share is the 162nd lowest of 580 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much federal and state money does Allentown get?
Payments from other governments made up 22.2% of Allentown's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 13.4% from the federal government ($244 per resident), 8.6% from the state. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Allentown raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $60.05 million, 26.4% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Allentown spend on police?
Allentown's city government spent $44.86 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $359 per resident (the 287th lowest of 582) and 20.7% of its total spending; police took 10.3% of spending across all US city governments in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Allentown spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $25.97 million, $208 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Allentown have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Allentown's city government owed $91.57 million in long-term debt, $732 per resident (the 97th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $2.63 million of new long-term debt and repaid $7.24 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Allentown pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.56 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.2% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Allentown city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 16.0% from $1,569 to $1,820, spending per resident rose 13.3% to $1,730, taxes per resident rose 7.7% to $868.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Allentown compares with other cities in the United States
City government total revenue per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 623 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 620 | Camarillo | $1,584 |
| 621 | Simi Valley | $1,581 |
| 622 | Burnsville | $1,576 |
| 623 | Allentown | $1,569 |
| 624 | Clifton | $1,568 |
| 625 | Union City | $1,562 |
| 626 | Santa Clarita | $1,562 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 594 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 591 | Wheaton | $1,537 |
| 592 | Montgomery | $1,536 |
| 593 | Rowlett | $1,533 |
| 594 | Allentown | $1,526 |
| 595 | Westminster | $1,522 |
| 596 | Indio | $1,519 |
| 597 | Palm Coast | $1,514 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 507 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 504 | Garland | $809 |
| 505 | Kennewick | $808 |
| 506 | College Station | $807 |
| 507 | Allentown | $806 |
| 508 | La Habra | $805 |
| 509 | League City | $804 |
| 510 | Springfield | $804 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 321 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 318 | Herriman | $333 |
| 319 | Royal Oak | $332 |
| 320 | Irvine | $331 |
| 321 | Allentown | $331 |
| 322 | Scranton | $331 |
| 323 | Porterville | $330 |
| 324 | Montebello | $329 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 578 of 731, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 575 | Port Orange | $844 |
| 576 | Coral Springs | $841 |
| 577 | Baldwin Park | $837 |
| 578 | Allentown | $835 |
| 579 | East Orange | $824 |
| 580 | Wake Forest | $822 |
| 581 | Las Vegas | $803 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 444 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 441 | West Jordan | 40.6% |
| 442 | Hesperia | 40.5% |
| 443 | Montebello | 40.4% |
| 444 | Allentown | 40.4% |
| 445 | Omaha | 40.1% |
| 446 | Orange | 40.1% |
| 447 | Grand Island | 40.1% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Allentown ranks 361 of 730, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 358 | Brookhaven | 17.7% |
| 359 | Pasco | 17.7% |
| 360 | Cape Coral | 17.6% |
| 361 | Allentown | 17.6% |
| 362 | Stockton | 17.6% |
| 363 | Bellevue | 17.6% |
| 364 | Apple Valley | 17.6% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 513 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total revenue per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Jacksonville | $1,854 |
| 511 | Wyoming | $1,832 |
| 512 | Palm Bay | $1,830 |
| 513 | Allentown | $1,820 |
| 514 | Hialeah | $1,818 |
| 515 | Lancaster | $1,816 |
| 516 | Lakeville | $1,812 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 503 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City government total spending per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | Bethlehem | $1,744 |
| 501 | Southaven | $1,738 |
| 502 | Livonia | $1,737 |
| 503 | Allentown | $1,730 |
| 504 | Plainfield | $1,726 |
| 505 | Orange | $1,722 |
| 506 | Arlington Heights | $1,712 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 418 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 415 | Eden Prairie | $870 |
| 416 | Winter Haven | $870 |
| 417 | Broken Arrow | $870 |
| 418 | Allentown | $868 |
| 419 | Rockford | $868 |
| 420 | Tigard | $864 |
| 421 | Lake Elsinore | $863 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 296 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City spending on police per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 293 | Omaha | $360 |
| 294 | Utica | $360 |
| 295 | Kennewick | $359 |
| 296 | Allentown | $359 |
| 297 | Summerville | $359 |
| 298 | Stamford | $357 |
| 299 | Malden | $356 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 486 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 483 | Tamarac | $773 |
| 484 | Surprise | $750 |
| 485 | Taylor | $746 |
| 486 | Allentown | $732 |
| 487 | Plymouth | $724 |
| 488 | Clifton | $721 |
| 489 | Rocky Mount | $706 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 419 of 580, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 416 | Gallatin | 36.5% |
| 417 | Seattle | 36.5% |
| 418 | Mount Pleasant | 36.3% |
| 419 | Allentown | 36.3% |
| 420 | Dunwoody | 36.0% |
| 421 | Rio Rancho | 36.0% |
| 422 | Pasadena | 35.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Allentown ranks 234 of 582, highest first. City government only: in many cities schools, transit, water or other services are run by separate governments or the county, so totals are not like-for-like. Per resident figures use the population the Census finance file gives each government. Governments whose figures were mostly imputed by the Census Bureau are left out. The government of Washington, DC, also carries out the functions of a state.
| Rank | City | Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 231 | Pittsburgh | 22.6% |
| 232 | Spokane Valley | 22.5% |
| 233 | Hialeah | 22.5% |
| 234 | Allentown | 22.2% |
| 235 | Lawrence | 22.1% |
| 236 | Livonia | 22.1% |
| 237 | Janesville | 22.0% |
More on Allentown: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every sampled government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0967c4d30466…)
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2022 Census of Governments: State and Local Government Finances, individual unit files (item amounts for every government, directory with population and fiscal year end, state estimates by type of government), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8de889f6b33…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.