Chester, PA town hall & government
Chester spent $68.7 million in the year to December 31, 2024, about $2,054 per resident.
Where the money goes, where it comes from, property taxes, and how to reach Chester's government.
Who runs Chester
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 If a name is out of date, tell us: when two neighbors agree, it's hidden until the records catch up.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 Chester's money goes
Where the money comes from
- Interest, fines & other 39%
- Income taxes 16%
- Property taxes 16%
- From the state 13%
- Fees & charges 9%
- Other taxes & licenses 5%
- From the federal government 1%
- From other local governments 1%
Chester didn't report all of its 2024 figures to the Census Bureau, so most of these numbers are the Bureau's estimates.
Who works for Chester
Staff on the town's payroll in March 2024. Pay is March payroll times twelve, so it's approximate.
Chester-Upland School District
Chester's K–12 school district, shared with Chester and Upland. 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 13%
- State 73%
- Federal 14%
Of the $24,532 per pupil, $11,128 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 Chester kids attend, test scores and graduation rate →
What homeowners in Chester 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 Chester's government
Who represents Chester
Chester is represented in Congress by Senators John Fetterman and David McCormick and Representative Mary Gay Scanlon. 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.