City government · Lancaster County, PA
Lancaster's money: where it comes from and where it goes
In the latest recorded fiscal year (ended December 31, 2023), Lancaster took in $186 million and spent $197 million.
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Where it comes from
What stands out
of Lancaster's money comes from a personal income tax.Most U.S. cities of 50,000+ people get none.
City taxes26%
What's in other taxesOccupation and business licenses; real estate and stock transfer taxes and 1 more
- Occupation and business licenses$4.2 million
- Real estate and stock transfer taxes$1.4 million
- Public utility licenses$476 thousand
Amounts are by Census tax category.
Fees for services47%
What's in fees for servicesWater; other service charges and 3 more
- Water$35.1 million
- Other service charges$20.7 million
- Sewer$20.6 million
- Garbage collection$10.8 million
- Parks and recreation$275 thousand
Amounts are by Census type of charge.
Federal tax money8.8%
Grants from Washington, paid for by the federal taxes residents also pay.
State tax money12%
Money the state passes on, paid for by the state taxes residents also pay.
County and local tax money0.6%
Money passed on by the county or other local governments.
Fines and other5.6%
Where it goes
What stands out
of Lancaster's spending goes to housing and community development.A typical U.S. city of 50,000+ people spends 1.4%.
Spending by category100%
What's in water, sewer, trash and utilitiesWater supply; sewer systems and 1 more
- Water supply$27.3 million
- Sewer systems$22.2 million
- Garbage and solid waste$6.5 million
What's in running the government and other costsOther and not broken out; finance, tax collection and budgeting and 2 more
- Other and not broken out$32.4 million
- Finance, tax collection and budgeting$9.0 million
- Central staff services (personnel, purchasing, technology)$3.5 million
- Government buildings$1.7 million
What's in police, fire, courts and jailsPolice; fire protection and 2 more
- Police$26.3 million
- Fire protection$11.2 million
- Inspections and regulation$1.8 million
- Courts and legal services$479 thousand
What's in roads, transit and parkingRoads and highways
- Roads and highways$15.1 million
What's in parks, recreation and librariesParks and recreation and libraries
- Parks and recreation$6.5 million
- Libraries$110 thousand
What's in environment and natural resourcesNatural resources, farming and conservation
- Natural resources, farming and conservation$5.1 million
What's in health and hospitalsPublic health
- Public health$391 thousand
Sources and moreWhere these numbers come from and what they cover
City of Lancaster. U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, individual unit file, fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
What this covers. The money of City of Lancaster itself. Other governments that serve the same area (the city, county, school district and state) are separate and not included. Borrowing, transfers between a government's own funds, and pension trust funds are not counted as revenue.