Government budget and revenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania: official figures
Scranton's city government took in $102.62 million in total revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, or $1,353 for each of its 75,848 residents (2024 figure in the finance file); per resident that is the 22nd lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey.
How much does Scranton spend and on what?
It spent $87.00 million in the same year, $1,147 per resident, the 18th lowest of 582 US cities of 50,000 or more with reported figures in the 2024 Census survey. The largest identified functions were fire protection (33.9%), police (32.6%) and financial administration (8.6%) of the total.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much tax does Scranton collect per resident?
Taxes raised $83.62 million ($1,102 per resident, the 276th highest of 582) in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 81.5% of general revenue, compared with 49.3% for all US city governments combined in 2022.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyWhat taxes does Scranton rely on?
Of Scranton's tax revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, property tax made up 41.3%, individual income tax 42.5%, selective sales taxes (on utilities, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, hotels and others) 0.3%. Across all US city governments in 2022, property tax made up 48.1% and general sales tax 19.8%; Scranton's property tax share is the 193rd 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 Scranton get?
Payments from other governments made up 9.5% of Scranton's city government's general revenue in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023: 0.0% from the federal government ($0 per resident), 7.2% from the state and 2.3% 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 Scranton raise from fees and utilities?
Fees and charges for services such as sewerage, trash, parks and airports brought in $8.03 million, 7.8% of general revenue (all US city governments in 2022: 20.0%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Scranton spend on police?
Scranton's city government spent $28.32 million on police in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, $373 per resident (the 259th highest of 582) and 32.6% 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 Scranton spend on fire protection?
Fire protection cost $29.47 million, $389 per resident, in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much debt does Scranton have?
At the end of the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, Scranton's city government owed $68.05 million in long-term debt, $897 per resident (the 125th lowest of 582). During the year it issued $4.96 million of new long-term debt and repaid $8.06 million.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow much does Scranton pay in interest on its debt?
Interest on debt cost $2.85 million in the fiscal year ended 31 December 2023, 3.3% of total spending.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow has the Scranton city budget changed?
Between the Census survey years 2022 and 2024 (not adjusted for inflation), total revenue per resident fell 1.1% from $1,368 to $1,353, spending per resident rose 5.1% to $1,147, taxes per resident fell 1.0% to $1,102.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow Scranton 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))
Scranton ranks 662 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 659 | Hanford | $1,396 |
| 660 | Madera | $1,392 |
| 661 | South Gate | $1,386 |
| 662 | Scranton | $1,368 |
| 663 | Woodbury | $1,364 |
| 664 | Maple Grove | $1,357 |
| 665 | West Covina | $1,356 |
City government total spending per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 694 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 691 | Jacksonville | $1,099 |
| 692 | Rocklin | $1,096 |
| 693 | Kentwood | $1,092 |
| 694 | Scranton | $1,091 |
| 695 | Placentia | $1,081 |
| 696 | Madera | $1,058 |
| 697 | O'Fallon | $1,048 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 274 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 271 | Petaluma | $1,119 |
| 272 | Fountain Valley | $1,118 |
| 273 | New Braunfels | $1,118 |
| 274 | Scranton | $1,113 |
| 275 | Savannah | $1,111 |
| 276 | Edmond | $1,111 |
| 277 | Little Rock | $1,110 |
City spending on police per resident, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 322 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | Royal Oak | $332 |
| 320 | Irvine | $331 |
| 321 | Allentown | $331 |
| 322 | Scranton | $331 |
| 323 | Porterville | $330 |
| 324 | Montebello | $329 |
| 325 | Lynchburg | $329 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 542 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 539 | Columbia | $1,030 |
| 540 | Deerfield Beach | $1,028 |
| 541 | Hanford | $1,022 |
| 542 | Scranton | $1,019 |
| 543 | Prescott Valley | $1,019 |
| 544 | Union City | $1,006 |
| 545 | San Ramon | $1,001 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 399 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 396 | Largo | 45.9% |
| 397 | Arlington | 45.6% |
| 398 | Sarasota | 45.5% |
| 399 | Scranton | 45.5% |
| 400 | West Valley City | 45.5% |
| 401 | Santee | 45.4% |
| 402 | Baytown | 45.4% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2022 (Survey year 2022 (fiscal years ended July 2021 to June 2022))
Scranton ranks 608 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 605 | Sammamish | 9.5% |
| 606 | Delray Beach | 9.4% |
| 607 | Lafayette | 9.3% |
| 608 | Scranton | 9.3% |
| 609 | Grand Island | 9.3% |
| 610 | Arlington | 9.2% |
| 611 | Menifee | 9.0% |
City government total revenue per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 561 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 558 | Summerville | $1,441 |
| 559 | Blaine | $1,427 |
| 560 | Miami Gardens | $1,373 |
| 561 | Scranton | $1,353 |
| 562 | Gaithersburg | $1,346 |
| 563 | Mission Viejo | $1,341 |
| 564 | Bowie | $1,332 |
City government total spending per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 565 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 562 | Bowie | $1,191 |
| 563 | Gaithersburg | $1,189 |
| 564 | O'Fallon | $1,151 |
| 565 | Scranton | $1,147 |
| 566 | Miami Gardens | $1,139 |
| 567 | Meridian | $1,089 |
| 568 | Federal Way | $1,014 |
City taxes collected per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 276 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 273 | Holly Springs | $1,111 |
| 274 | Omaha | $1,105 |
| 275 | Dubuque | $1,104 |
| 276 | Scranton | $1,102 |
| 277 | Auburn | $1,101 |
| 278 | St. Charles | $1,101 |
| 279 | Midwest City | $1,101 |
City spending on police per resident, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 259 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 256 | Joliet | $375 |
| 257 | Rancho Cordova | $374 |
| 258 | Des Moines | $374 |
| 259 | Scranton | $373 |
| 260 | Revere | $373 |
| 261 | Greensboro | $373 |
| 262 | Methuen | $373 |
City long-term debt outstanding per resident, end of fiscal 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 458 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 455 | Idaho Falls | $911 |
| 456 | Union City | $909 |
| 457 | Marietta | $904 |
| 458 | Scranton | $897 |
| 459 | Miami | $893 |
| 460 | West Haven | $892 |
| 461 | Salinas | $888 |
Property tax as a share of city tax revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 388 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 385 | Murfreesboro | 41.6% |
| 386 | Tinley Park | 41.5% |
| 387 | Omaha | 41.5% |
| 388 | Scranton | 41.3% |
| 389 | Thousand Oaks | 41.1% |
| 390 | Hanford | 40.9% |
| 391 | Orange | 40.7% |
Federal, state and local aid as a share of city general revenue, 2024 (Survey year 2024 (fiscal years ended July 2023 to June 2024))
Scranton ranks 484 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 481 | Rapid City | 9.6% |
| 482 | Stillwater | 9.6% |
| 483 | Roseville | 9.5% |
| 484 | Scranton | 9.5% |
| 485 | Cary | 9.4% |
| 486 | Palm Beach Gardens | 9.3% |
| 487 | Greenwood | 9.3% |
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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.