Government budget and revenue in Lawrence, Massachusetts: official figures
Lawrence's city government took in $515.96 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, or $5,866 for each of its 87,954 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 66th highest 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 $596.30 million in the same year, $6,780 per resident, the 54th highest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were elementary and secondary schools (71.3%), police (2.7%) and the water utility (2.4%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lawrence collect per resident?
Taxes raised $96.32 million ($1,095 per resident, the 280th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 19.5% 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 30 June 2024, property tax made up 96.2%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 1.4%. 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 33rd highest 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 75.1% of Lawrence's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024: 12.3% from the federal government ($693 per resident), 62.8% 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 Lawrence raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $4.91 million, 1.0% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $21.39 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lawrence spend on police?
Lawrence's city government spent $16.15 million on police in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, $184 per resident (the 35th lowest of 582) and 2.7% 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 Lawrence spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $14.06 million, $160 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyDoes Lawrence city government run the schools?
Lawrence's city government also pays for public schools: elementary and secondary education took $425.00 million, 71.3% of its spending in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, which in most US cities is spent by a separate school district instead.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lawrence have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, Lawrence's city government owed $243.00 million in long-term debt, $2,763 per resident (the 226th highest of 582). During the year it issued $12.33 million of new long-term debt and repaid $24.80 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lawrence pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $7.91 million in the fiscal year ended 30 June 2024, 1.3% 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 3.2% from $5,683 to $5,866, spending per resident rose 14.2% to $6,780, taxes per resident fell 4.4% to $1,095.
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 62 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Ocala | $5,743 |
| 60 | Salt Lake City | $5,730 |
| 61 | Lawrence | $5,705 |
| 62 | Lawrence | $5,683 |
| 63 | Springfield | $5,667 |
| 64 | Lafayette | $5,636 |
| 65 | Peabody | $5,605 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 57 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Chicopee | $6,016 |
| 55 | Framingham | $5,995 |
| 56 | Seattle | $5,943 |
| 57 | Lawrence | $5,934 |
| 58 | Worcester | $5,870 |
| 59 | Gainesville | $5,825 |
| 60 | Norfolk | $5,793 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 258 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 255 | Olathe | $1,150 |
| 256 | Montebello | $1,149 |
| 257 | Vacaville | $1,148 |
| 258 | Lawrence | $1,145 |
| 259 | Tinley Park | $1,144 |
| 260 | Renton | $1,144 |
| 261 | Anaheim | $1,143 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 658 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 655 | Chino Hills | $204 |
| 656 | Killeen | $203 |
| 657 | Woodbury | $203 |
| 658 | Lawrence | $203 |
| 659 | Malden | $203 |
| 660 | Noblesville | $203 |
| 661 | Lynwood | $203 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 207 | Broken Arrow | $3,097 |
| 208 | New Orleans | $3,070 |
| 209 | Redding | $3,065 |
| 210 | Lawrence | $3,064 |
| 211 | Sunnyvale | $3,054 |
| 212 | Yonkers | $3,046 |
| 213 | Flagstaff | $3,012 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lawrence ranks 55 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Chicopee | 95.9% |
| 53 | Providence | 95.9% |
| 54 | Hoboken | 95.8% |
| 55 | Lawrence | 95.8% |
| 56 | Brockton | 95.8% |
| 57 | Troy | 95.8% |
| 58 | Green Bay | 95.8% |
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 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Rochester | 77.6% |
| 4 | Trenton | 77.0% |
| 5 | Camden | 76.7% |
| 6 | Lawrence | 76.3% |
| 7 | Union City | 75.5% |
| 8 | West New York | 72.9% |
| 9 | East Orange | 72.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 66 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 63 | Waltham | $6,003 |
| 64 | Burbank | $5,975 |
| 65 | Portsmouth | $5,881 |
| 66 | Lawrence | $5,866 |
| 67 | Memphis | $5,855 |
| 68 | Yonkers | $5,816 |
| 69 | Los Angeles | $5,808 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 54 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Somerville | $6,951 |
| 52 | Suffolk | $6,890 |
| 53 | Norwalk | $6,854 |
| 54 | Lawrence | $6,780 |
| 55 | Ocala | $6,701 |
| 56 | Fall River | $6,611 |
| 57 | Worcester | $6,531 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 280 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 277 | Auburn | $1,101 |
| 278 | St. Charles | $1,101 |
| 279 | Midwest City | $1,101 |
| 280 | Lawrence | $1,095 |
| 281 | Grand Forks | $1,095 |
| 282 | Little Rock | $1,092 |
| 283 | Fort Wayne | $1,092 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 548 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 545 | Gaithersburg | $187 |
| 546 | Leander | $185 |
| 547 | New Bedford | $184 |
| 548 | Lawrence | $184 |
| 549 | Fishers | $178 |
| 550 | College Station | $178 |
| 551 | Columbia | $175 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 226 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 223 | Bloomington | $2,766 |
| 224 | Tuscaloosa | $2,764 |
| 225 | Grand Rapids | $2,764 |
| 226 | Lawrence | $2,763 |
| 227 | Leander | $2,755 |
| 228 | Palatine | $2,751 |
| 229 | Berkeley | $2,738 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lawrence ranks 33 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Gary | 96.6% |
| 31 | Framingham | 96.5% |
| 32 | Lowell | 96.2% |
| 33 | Lawrence | 96.2% |
| 34 | Brockton | 96.1% |
| 35 | Sterling Heights | 96.1% |
| 36 | West New York | 96.0% |
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 6 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Buffalo | 82.7% |
| 4 | Rochester | 79.2% |
| 5 | Trenton | 77.8% |
| 6 | Lawrence | 75.1% |
| 7 | West New York | 71.2% |
| 8 | Springfield | 69.4% |
| 9 | East Orange | 69.1% |
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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.