Centralia spent more per resident in 2022 than 96% of similar cities
Centralia’s borough government spent $18,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $1,636 per resident. Water and other utilities ($2,000) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Centralia is run
Read from the borough’s budget and official records.
$1,636 per resident in 2022: more than 96% of them
Centralia’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,636 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $483, and the middle half spent $300–$724. Centralia spent more than 96% of them.
Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Centralia itself left out).
About $1,636 per resident a year, or $4.48 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: roads & transportation, at 50%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
Centralia reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
Who’s in charge in Centralia
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Centralia’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The borough posts agendas and minutes on centraliapa.com ↗.
Mount Carmel Area School District
Centralia’s K–12 school district, shared with Kulpmont, Marion Heights, Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $13,712 per pupil, $8,851 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
Centralia’s votes are counted by county
Pennsylvania reports official results by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for Centralia alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Columbia County’s results.
Donald J TrumpRepublican65.0%21,190 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat34.0%11,083 votesOthers: 0.9% (303 votes).
Most votes in Columbia County: Donald J Trump
Pennsylvania: Trump 50.4%, Harris 48.7%
100% of Centralia lies in Columbia County. Every 2024 race in Columbia County is on the county’s page.
Columbia County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Centralia.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: centraliapa.com ↗
- 2Pennsylvania HouseState representatives
- 3Pennsylvania SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Pennsylvania
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
Reach Centralia’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Centralia’s government
How much does Centralia spend per resident?
About $1,636 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,636 was more than 96% of 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.
Who runs Centralia’s government?
See centraliapa.com for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Centralia yet.
How did Centralia vote in 2024?
Pennsylvania counts votes by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for Centralia alone. Columbia County, where 100% of Centralia lies, voted Trump 65.0%, Harris 34.0% for president; its page has every race.
Who represents Centralia in the state legislature?
State Senate District 27 (Lynda Culver) and State House District 109 (Robert Leadbeter). The House district also covers 32 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Centralia’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →