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Thomas Marshall HousePhoto: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Town Hall · Dayton

Dayton spent more per resident in 2022 than 78% of similar cities

Dayton’s borough government spent $386,000 on day-to-day services in the year to December 31, 2022, about $767 per resident. Water and other utilities ($91,000) are counted separately.

Day-to-day spending, 2022
$386,000
year to December 31, 2022
Per resident, 2022
$767
In 2022: $767, more than 78% of 574 similar cities
Long-term debt
$613,000
end of 2022, reported
Borough staff, 2022
2
full-time · 3 part-time · March payroll $14,302
Typical tax bill
$1,541
1.46% of home value · PA 1.30%

What stands out about how Dayton is run

Read from the borough’s budget and official records.

Spends more than most similar citiesIn 2022: $767 per resident, more than 78% of 574 similar cities.Runs its own water & sewer45% of day-to-day spending goes to water, sewer and trash (2022).A shared school districtShares Armstrong School District with 6+ other towns.Low bills, a higher rateThe typical bill is $1,541 a year: 1.46% of the home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania.
Compared with similar places

$767 per resident in 2022: more than 78% of them

Dayton’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($767 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. Dayton spent more than 78% of them.

Middle half of the group, $300–$724Median $483Dayton

Includes sewer and trash ($122,000), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →

The group
574

Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Dayton itself left out).

Your share of the 2022 budget

About $767 per resident a year, or $2.10 a day

Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 32%.

Where the money comes from
Fees & charges 51%Interest, fines & other 20%Property taxes 10%Income taxes 8%From the state 5%From the federal government 5%Other taxes & licenses 2%
Not in the receipt.Building projects $49,000; interest on debt $38,000. With these and the enterprises, the whole budget was $564,000.
Over the years

No trend yet

Dayton reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.

Property tax

The typical homeowner pays $1,541 a year

Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.46% of the home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania.

What homes cost →

Typical yearly bill next door and statewide

Pennsylvania$3,311
Dayton$1,541
$1,541
typical bill a year
1.46%
effective rate
$105,400
typical home value (Census)
Your own bill

The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Dayton’s rate.

Can I afford it? →

The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate. In a town this small the estimate has a wide margin.

Tax bills are one input to Dayton’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Dayton →

Who runs it

Who’s in charge in Dayton

Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.

Check Dayton’s own website for current officialsWe name an official only when a public source lists a current term. None does for Dayton yet.
Who works for Dayton

One full-time borough employee for every 252 residents

On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (503).

By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022

Administration & buildings0 + 2 pt
Sewer & trash1
Water & other utilities1
Other0 + 1 pt
2
full-time
3
part-time
$14,302
payroll for March 2022
$171,624
a year, estimated (March × 12)
$67,000
average full-time pay, before benefits (March × 12)
Compared, 2022.Dayton had 4.0 full-time staff per 1,000 residents in March 2022. The median for the 379 of the 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools that reported 2022 staff was 1.0: Dayton had more than 82% of them. Same group and year as the budget comparison.

The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.

The school district

Armstrong School District

Dayton’s K–12 school district, shared with Applewold, Atwood, Boggs Township, Burrell Township, Cadogan Township and more. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.

Schools in Dayton →
$19,947
per pupil · PA $21,758
4,435
students
$116.2 million
long-term debt

Of the $19,947 per pupil, $13,157 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.

The district: schools, scores and graduation →

Where the district’s money comes from
Local 35%State 56%Federal 9%

Pennsylvania districts overall: 55% local, 37% state, 8% federal.

School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.

Elections · 2024 general election

Dayton’s votes are counted by county

Pennsylvania reports official results by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for Dayton alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are Armstrong County’s results.

President · Armstrong County’s results37,119 votes · results as certified
Donald J TrumpDonald J TrumpRepublican76.2%28,296 votes
Kamala D HarrisKamala D HarrisDemocrat23.0%8,553 votes

Others: 0.7% (270 votes).

Most votes in Armstrong County: Donald J Trump

Pennsylvania: Trump 50.4%, Harris 48.7%

The county’s page

100% of Dayton lies in Armstrong County. Every 2024 race in Armstrong County is on the county’s page.

Armstrong County’s 2024 results →
DemocratRepublicanLibertarianIndependent / other

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.

Who represents Dayton

From town hall to Washington

Every level of government that speaks for Dayton.

2024 results ↑
  1. 1
    Your cityMayor & council
    Local officials aren’t on record yet.
  2. 2
    Pennsylvania HouseState representatives
    Josh Bashline
  3. 3
    Pennsylvania SenateState senator
    Joe Pittman
  4. 4
    GovernorStatewide
    Josh Shapiro
  5. 5
    U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
    Glenn Thompson
  6. 6
    U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Pennsylvania
    John FettermanDavid McCormick

Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.

Reach Dayton’s government

Neighbors add phone numbers and hours to the Handbook.

The Handbook →

Questions about Dayton’s government

How much does Dayton spend per resident?

About $767 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 $767 was more than 78% of 574 Pennsylvania cities of under 2,500 that don’t run their own schools.

What is the property tax rate in Dayton?

Homeowners report a typical bill of $1,541 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.46% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.30% across Pennsylvania. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see the borough’s assessor.

Who runs Dayton’s government?

We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Dayton yet.

How did Dayton vote in 2024?

Pennsylvania counts votes by county and precinct, not by borough, so there are no official results for Dayton alone. Armstrong County, where 100% of Dayton lies, voted Trump 76.2%, Harris 23.0% for president; its page has every race.

How many people work for Dayton?

2 full-time and 3 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $14,302 (about $171,624 a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.

Who represents Dayton in the state legislature?

State Senate District 41 (Joe Pittman) and State House District 63 (Josh Bashline). The House district also covers 59 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.

Ask neighbors about Dayton’s government

Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.

Town Square →
Ask neighbors

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 →