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

Shawnee, KS vs Lawrence, KS

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

Summary

Lawrence spends 61.8% 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
Shawnee, KS
Pop. 67,671
B
66/100
Budget Balance32
Debt Burden100
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency55
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50
City B
Lawrence, KS
Pop. 95,103
D
40/100
Budget Balance38
Debt Burden0
Pension Funding76
Spending Efficiency0
Revenue Diversity100
Trend Direction50

Key Metrics

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

Per Capita Spending by Department

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

Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)

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

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