Government budget and revenue in Lawrence, Indiana: official figures
Lawrence's city government took in $101.55 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $2,061 for each of its 49,276 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 118th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lawrence spend and on what?
It spent $97.13 million in the same year, $1,971 per resident, the 128th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were central administration (23.8%), fire protection (15.6%) and sewerage (14.5%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lawrence collect per resident?
Taxes raised $44.91 million ($911 per resident, the 192nd lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 50.4% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lawrence rely on?
Of Lawrence's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 43.4%, general sales tax 1.0%, individual income tax 20.7%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 15.0%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lawrence's property tax share is the 208th 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 Lawrence get?
Payments from other governments made up 22.1% of Lawrence's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.1% from the federal government ($2 per resident), 17.3% from the state and 4.7% from other local governments. For all US city governments in 2022 the aid share was 24.3%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lawrence raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $19.28 million, 21.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $12.48 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lawrence spend on police?
Lawrence's city government spent $9.69 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $197 per resident (the 41st lowest of 582) and 10.0% 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 Lawrence spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $15.17 million, $308 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lawrence have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Lawrence's city government owed $84.99 million in long-term debt, $1,725 per resident (the 223rd lowest of 582).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lawrence pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.36 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 2.4% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lawrence city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 127.4% from $906 to $2,061, spending per resident rose 145.0% to $1,971, taxes per resident rose 316.0% to $911.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lawrence 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))
Lawrence ranks 721 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 718 | Bloomington | $918 |
| 719 | Dunwoody | $913 |
| 720 | Yucaipa | $908 |
| 721 | Lawrence | $906 |
| 722 | Laguna Niguel | $856 |
| 723 | Spokane Valley | $811 |
| 724 | Highland | $766 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 719 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 716 | Federal Way | $834 |
| 717 | Deltona | $814 |
| 718 | Burien | $810 |
| 719 | Lawrence | $805 |
| 720 | Highland | $795 |
| 721 | Meridian | $780 |
| 722 | Lake Forest | $672 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 728 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 725 | Cheyenne | $308 |
| 726 | Bonita Springs | $293 |
| 727 | Casper | $229 |
| 728 | Lawrence | $219 |
| 729 | Lorain | $85 |
| 730 | Bloomington | $25 |
| 731 | New Rochelle | $0 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 648 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 645 | Moore | $207 |
| 646 | Maple Grove | $207 |
| 647 | Meridian | $207 |
| 648 | Lawrence | $206 |
| 649 | Wyoming | $206 |
| 650 | Bowling Green | $206 |
| 651 | Jonesboro | $206 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 596 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 593 | Yakima | $761 |
| 594 | West New York | $755 |
| 595 | Garden Grove | $751 |
| 596 | Lawrence | $747 |
| 597 | Murrieta | $746 |
| 598 | South Gate | $738 |
| 599 | Camarillo | $731 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 92 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Ann Arbor | 93.1% |
| 90 | Eagan | 93.0% |
| 91 | Taylor | 92.6% |
| 92 | Lawrence | 92.2% |
| 93 | Newark | 92.1% |
| 94 | Boston | 92.0% |
| 95 | Iowa City | 91.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 119 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | Gilbert | 33.4% |
| 117 | Reno | 33.4% |
| 118 | Gresham | 33.4% |
| 119 | Lawrence | 33.4% |
| 120 | Lancaster | 33.3% |
| 121 | Dubuque | 33.2% |
| 122 | Arlington Heights | 33.1% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 465 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 462 | Aurora | $2,088 |
| 463 | Palm Coast | $2,068 |
| 464 | Winston-Salem | $2,063 |
| 465 | Lawrence | $2,061 |
| 466 | Davie | $2,060 |
| 467 | Pasco | $2,054 |
| 468 | Gresham | $2,053 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 455 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 452 | Euless | $1,981 |
| 453 | Gresham | $1,977 |
| 454 | Plainfield | $1,971 |
| 455 | Lawrence | $1,971 |
| 456 | Reno | $1,969 |
| 457 | Elgin | $1,969 |
| 458 | Sterling Heights | $1,964 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 391 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 388 | Maricopa | $914 |
| 389 | Peoria | $913 |
| 390 | Dearborn | $912 |
| 391 | Lawrence | $911 |
| 392 | Downers Grove | $911 |
| 393 | Columbus | $911 |
| 394 | Springfield | $909 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 542 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Iowa City | $205 |
| 540 | Great Falls | $202 |
| 541 | Taylor | $200 |
| 542 | Lawrence | $197 |
| 543 | Springfield | $194 |
| 544 | Bridgeport | $194 |
| 545 | Gaithersburg | $187 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 360 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 357 | Tinley Park | $1,732 |
| 358 | Oak Lawn | $1,730 |
| 359 | La Habra | $1,729 |
| 360 | Lawrence | $1,725 |
| 361 | Mooresville | $1,715 |
| 362 | Euless | $1,706 |
| 363 | Janesville | $1,705 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 373 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 370 | La Habra | 43.9% |
| 371 | Arlington | 43.7% |
| 372 | Los Angeles | 43.7% |
| 373 | Lawrence | 43.4% |
| 374 | Springfield | 43.4% |
| 375 | Santa Clara | 42.9% |
| 376 | Joliet | 42.8% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 235 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 238 | Fairfield | 22.0% |
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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.