Lawrence, KS town hall & government
Lawrence spent $566.3 million in the year to December 31, 2023, about $5,945 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Lawrence's government.
Who runs Lawrence
From public records (Open States and Wikidata), which can lag behind an election. If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.
Where Lawrence's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 70%
- Sales taxes 10%
- Property taxes 7%
- Utility sales 5%
- From the federal government 3%
- Interest, fines & other 2%
- From the state 1%
- Other taxes & licenses <1%
- From other local governments <1%
Who works for Lawrence
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Lawrence Unified School District 497
Lawrence's K–12 school district, shared with Grant, Wakarusa, Clinton and Willow Springs. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Kansas districts overall: 28% local, 61% state, 11% federal
- Local 37%
- State 54%
- Federal 9%
Of the $12,393 per pupil, $6,783 goes to classroom instruction (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to support services such as buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren't in the per-pupil figure.
Also serving Lawrence: Perry Public Schools Unified School District 343 ($14,678 per pupil).
Which schools Lawrence kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Lawrence pay
The median yearly bill homeowners report, covering every local property tax on the home (town, schools, county). The effective rate is that bill divided by the median home value, so it's a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Contact Lawrence's government
Who represents Lawrence
Lawrence is represented in Congress by Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Representatives Tracey Mann and Derek Schmidt. Laura Kelly is governor.
Budget: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments: Finance (every city and town government's revenue, spending and debt, grouped into plain categories). Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 5-year estimates.