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

Lawrence, KS vs Shawnee, KS

Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)

Summary

Lawrence spends 162.1% more per capita than Shawnee ($31,274/person difference). Shawnee, KS has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 66/100).

Fiscal Health Score

City A
Lawrence, KS
Pop. 95,103
D
40/100
Budget Balance38
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Shawnee, KS
Pop. 67,671
B
66/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

Metric
Lawrence
Shawnee
Total Spending
$4.8B
$1.3B
Spending / Capita
$50,571
$19,297
Total Revenue
$4.0B
$746.5M
Revenue / Capita
$41,962
$11,032
Total Debt
$141.4M
$0
Debt / Capita
$1,487
$0
Population
95,103
67,671
Gov Employees / 10K
0.0
0.0
Avg Gov Salary
$0
$0

Per Capita Spending by Department

Police
Lawrence$0
Shawnee$2,908
Fire Protection
Lawrence$701
Shawnee$1,248
Highways & Roads
Lawrence$152
Shawnee$10
Parks & Recreation
Lawrence$1,334
Shawnee$3,095
Education
Lawrence$50
Shawnee$0
Health
Lawrence$528
Shawnee$0

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceShawnee
Sales Tax
$452
$366
Income Tax
$1,646
$2,215
Intergovernmental
$610
$2,994
Charges & Fees
$2,976
$0
Other
$5,396
$966

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

LawrenceShawnee
Police
$0
$2,908
Fire Protection
$701
$1,248
Highways & Roads
$152
$10
Education
$50
$0
Public Welfare
$1,409
$1,126
Health
$528
$0
Hospitals
$201
$0
Parks & Recreation
$1,334
$3,095
Housing
$2,611
$3,109
Utilities
$3,966
$2,387
Interest on Debt
$301
$0
General Admin
$32,300
$0
Other
$7,016
$5,414
D
Lawrence, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 40/100
Below average fiscal health
B
Shawnee, KS
Fiscal Health Score: 66/100
Good fiscal health

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