Government budget and revenue in Lorain, Ohio: official figures
Lorain's city government took in $117.89 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,804 for each of its 65,365 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 63rd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Lorain spend and on what?
It spent $107.30 million in the same year, $1,642 per resident, the 64th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were sewerage (22.3%), the water utility (21.3%) and police (17.8%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Lorain collect per resident?
Taxes raised $39.98 million ($612 per resident, the 41st lowest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 41.8% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Lorain rely on?
Of Lorain's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 16.3%, individual income tax 80.1%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Lorain's property tax share is the 44th 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 Lorain get?
Payments from other governments made up 33.1% of Lorain's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 8.0% from the federal government ($116 per resident), 24.8% 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 Lorain raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $19.69 million, 20.6% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%). Revenue of government-owned utilities (water, electricity, gas or transit) added $22.30 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lorain spend on police?
Lorain's city government spent $19.05 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $291 per resident (the 163rd lowest of 582) and 17.8% 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 Lorain spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $12.79 million, $196 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Lorain have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Lorain's city government owed $36.91 million in long-term debt, $565 per resident (the 68th lowest of 582). During the year it issued no new long-term debt and repaid $4.35 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Lorain pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $1.65 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 1.5% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Lorain city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident rose 70.2% from $1,060 to $1,804, spending per resident rose 44.0% to $1,642, taxes per resident rose 623.3% to $612.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Lorain 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))
Lorain ranks 709 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 706 | Kentwood | $1,098 |
| 707 | Lake Forest | $1,085 |
| 708 | O'Fallon | $1,084 |
| 709 | Lorain | $1,060 |
| 710 | Deltona | $1,056 |
| 711 | Miami Gardens | $1,054 |
| 712 | Mission Viejo | $1,035 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lorain ranks 681 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 678 | Lakewood | $1,172 |
| 679 | Killeen | $1,164 |
| 680 | Brookhaven | $1,140 |
| 681 | Lorain | $1,140 |
| 682 | Santee | $1,137 |
| 683 | Santa Clarita | $1,137 |
| 684 | Baldwin Park | $1,133 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lorain ranks 729 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))
Lorain ranks 667 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 664 | Jurupa Valley | $200 |
| 665 | Norwalk | $200 |
| 666 | Dearborn Heights | $200 |
| 667 | Lorain | $199 |
| 668 | Jackson | $199 |
| 669 | Centennial | $198 |
| 670 | Highland | $198 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lorain ranks 377 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 374 | Flower Mound | $1,892 |
| 375 | Logan | $1,890 |
| 376 | Noblesville | $1,889 |
| 377 | Lorain | $1,887 |
| 378 | Peoria | $1,884 |
| 379 | La Habra | $1,881 |
| 380 | Petaluma | $1,875 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lorain ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse | 100.0% |
| 2 | Lorain | 100.0% |
| 3 | West Haven | 100.0% |
| 4 | Perth Amboy | 99.9% |
| 5 | Passaic | 99.8% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 99.4% |
| 7 | Bayonne | 99.3% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Lorain ranks 163 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 160 | Glendale | 29.4% |
| 161 | Gallatin | 29.3% |
| 162 | Normal | 29.2% |
| 163 | Lorain | 28.9% |
| 164 | Prescott Valley | 28.9% |
| 165 | Fort Smith | 28.8% |
| 166 | Savannah | 28.7% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 520 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 517 | Eden Prairie | $1,809 |
| 518 | Pasadena | $1,808 |
| 519 | Greenwood | $1,807 |
| 520 | Lorain | $1,804 |
| 521 | Burnsville | $1,795 |
| 522 | Broken Arrow | $1,793 |
| 523 | Rochester Hills | $1,792 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 519 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 516 | Caldwell | $1,667 |
| 517 | San Bernardino | $1,666 |
| 518 | Woodbury | $1,649 |
| 519 | Lorain | $1,642 |
| 520 | Great Falls | $1,641 |
| 521 | Chico | $1,637 |
| 522 | Kokomo | $1,630 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain 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 taxes collected per resident, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Pittsburg | $616 |
| 540 | Plainfield | $614 |
| 541 | Naperville | $613 |
| 542 | Lorain | $612 |
| 543 | Dunwoody | $608 |
| 544 | Missoula | $603 |
| 545 | Gaithersburg | $599 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 417 | Terre Haute | $292 |
| 418 | Appleton | $292 |
| 419 | Framingham | $292 |
| 420 | Lorain | $291 |
| 421 | Garland | $290 |
| 422 | Sugar Land | $289 |
| 423 | Vineland | $288 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 515 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 512 | Wyoming | $587 |
| 513 | Plainfield | $585 |
| 514 | Delray Beach | $565 |
| 515 | Lorain | $565 |
| 516 | Apple Valley | $559 |
| 517 | Naperville | $550 |
| 518 | Woodbury | $548 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 537 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 534 | Scottsdale | 16.6% |
| 535 | Bossier City | 16.3% |
| 536 | Chandler | 16.3% |
| 537 | Lorain | 16.3% |
| 538 | Akron | 16.1% |
| 539 | Fayetteville | 16.0% |
| 540 | Philadelphia | 15.5% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Lorain ranks 114 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 111 | Athens | 33.6% |
| 112 | Harrisburg | 33.5% |
| 113 | Chesapeake | 33.2% |
| 114 | Lorain | 33.1% |
| 115 | Anchorage | 33.0% |
| 116 | Jersey City | 32.7% |
| 117 | Elgin | 32.6% |
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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.