Bethlehem, PA town hall & government
Bethlehem spent $135.3 million in the year to December 31, 2024, about $1,744 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Bethlehem's government.
Who runs Bethlehem
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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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 Bethlehem's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Fees & charges 23%
- Property taxes 21%
- Utility sales 17%
- From the state 15%
- Income taxes 7%
- Other taxes & licenses 7%
- From the federal government 6%
- Interest, fines & other 2%
- From other local governments 1%
- Sales taxes <1%
Who works for Bethlehem
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2025. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate. Bethlehem didn't report its staffing to the Census Bureau, so these are the Bureau's estimates.
Bethlehem Area School District
Bethlehem's K–12 school district, shared with Bethlehem, Fountain Hill, Freemansburg and Hanover. It is its own government, with a budget separate from the town's.
Where the district's money comes from Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal
- Local 64%
- State 30%
- Federal 6%
Of the $18,980 per pupil, $11,520 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.
Which schools Bethlehem kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem's government
Who represents Bethlehem
Bethlehem is represented in Congress by Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick and Representative Ryan Mackenzie. Josh Shapiro 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.