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Data from U.S. Census Bureau · 2026 · Methodology
CitySpend

Lawrence, KS

Population: 95,103 (2022) · Small Cities (50K–100K)

D
40/100

Below average — significant fiscal challenges in multiple areas

Total Spending
$4.8B
Per Capita
$50,571
Total Revenue
$4.0B
Total Debt
$141.4M

Spending Breakdown

General Administration
63.9%$3.1B
Other
13.9%$667.3M
Utilities
7.8%$377.2M
Housing & Community Development
5.2%$248.4M
Public Welfare
2.8%$134.0M
Parks & Recreation
2.6%$126.9M
Fire Protection
1.4%$66.7M
Health
1.0%$50.2M
Interest on Debt
0.6%$28.6M
Hospitals
0.4%$19.1M
Highways & Roads
0.3%$14.4M
Education
0.1%$4.7M

Spending data sourced from the Census Bureau's Annual Survey of State & Local Government Finances. Per-capita comparisons use the Lincoln Institute's Fiscally Standardized Cities methodology for fair cross-city benchmarking.

Revenue Sources

Sales Tax
1.1%$43.0M
Income Tax
3.9%$156.6M
Intergovernmental
1.5%$58.0M
Charges & Fees
7.1%$283.0M
Other
12.9%$513.2M

Per Capita Spending by Department

Fire Protection$701/person
Highways & Roads$152/person
Parks & Recreation$1,334/person
Education$50/person
Health$528/person

Score Breakdown

Budget Balance & Reserves (25%)38/100
Debt Burden (20%)0/100
Pension Funding (20%)76/100
Spending Efficiency (15%)0/100
Revenue Diversity (10%)100/100
Trend Direction (10%)50/100

Debt Overview

Total Debt$141.4M
Long-Term Debt$68.8M
Debt Per Capita$1,487
Cash & Securities$74.2M

Compare Cities

See how Lawrence stacks up against another city.

vs Wichita, KSvs Overland Park, KSvs Kansas City, KS
Data source: U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023). Population from American Community Survey.

Other Cities in Kansas

Wichita, KS

Pop. 396K

A
Total Spending
$3.2B
Per Capita
$7,986

Overland Park, KS

Pop. 197K

A
Total Spending
$1.6B
Per Capita
$8,044

Kansas City, KS

Pop. 155K

C

Olathe, KS

Pop. 142K

A
Total Spending
$2.1B
Per Capita
$14,735

Compare Lawrence With

Wichita, KS

Spending: $7,986/person · Grade: A

Overland Park, KS

Spending: $8,044/person · Grade: A

Kansas City, KS

Spending: $0/person · Grade: C

Olathe, KS

Spending: $14,735/person · Grade: A

Frequently Asked Questions

Lawrence, KS spends $50,571 per resident, based on total expenditures of $4.8B for a population of 95,103. The city has a Fiscal Health Score of D (40/100).

Lawrence, KS has total expenditures of $4.8B and total revenue of $4.0B. The city carries $141.4M in total debt, based on Census Bureau data from 2023.

Lawrence, KS employs 0 government workers, of which 0 are full-time. The average government salary is $0, with 0.0 employees per 10,000 residents.

Lawrence, KS has a Fiscal Health Score of D (40/100). This score evaluates budget balance, debt burden, pension funding, spending efficiency, revenue diversity, and 3-year fiscal trajectory compared to peer cities of similar population.

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